Can pelvic and abdominal pain be a symptom of ovarian cancer?
Hello, friend.
If you’re here, it’s likely that you’re worried, either for yourself or someone else. I’m so sorry you’re going through that. As a two-time ovarian cancer survivor myself, I understand your concern. It is crucial to recognize and understand the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer. To answer the question above, YES. Pelvic and abdominal pain can be signs of ovarian cancer. They can also be signs of other conditions, which is one reason why ovarian cancer is sometimes not diagnosed as early as other cancers.
One thing you’re going to hear me say over and over again…
LADIES - If you experience any changes to your body in the pelvic or abdominal region (from your rib cage on downwards to your nethers), GO SEE YOUR OB/GYN!! You might think you’re having digestive issues or problems with other organs in this organ-packed region like your gall bladder or pancreas. And that is possible. But it’s ALSO possible that this is a gynecologic issue, whether cancerous or not. It could be an ovarian cyst or uterine fibroid, both of which need to be addressed even if benign (not cancer). It could be endometriosis. Or it could be a different gynecologic cancer like uterine, cervical, or vaginal. There’s no reason not to get it checked out.
In this blog post, we will focus specifically on pelvic and abdominal pain, (please get any pain checked out, y’all…) exploring the symptoms to watch for, steps to take if you experience these symptoms, and the underlying causes. By increasing your awareness, we hope to empower you to take proactive measures in managing your health.
What Are the Symptoms of Pelvic and Abdominal Pain in Ovarian Cancer?
It is important to be aware of the symptoms of pelvic and abdominal pain that could be indicative of ovarian cancer. Look out for the following:
Persistent or recurring pain in the pelvic region or lower abdomen. (Basically your belly/stomach or lower where your reproductive organs and colon are located)
Discomfort, aching, or a feeling of pressure in the pelvic or abdominal area. (It may not be clear pain so much as discomfort or pressure.)
Changes in the intensity, duration, or frequency of pain.
If you experience these symptoms, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
In other words, call your OB/GYN and get that s*** checked out. It is ALWAYS a good idea to see a doctor if something about your body changes that is PERSISTENT (doesn’t go away) and/or PROGRESSIVE (gets worse).
You may wonder, since I had ovarian cancer, if I had abdominal or pelvic pain. The truth is YES AND NO. I did not have obvious pain or discomfort on a regular basis, although I did have the characteristic BLOATING after I ate` and that was uncomfortable. It also got worse (progressive) over time.
The pain I DID experience though, was with exercise. I was a runner and training for a half-marathon when I was diagnosed. For a time I was finishing six to eight mile training runs. Then I started to have a problem with what felt like cramping when I’d set out. Within the first mile, I’d have pain in my lower right pelvis (right where my tumor ended up being located) so severe I’d have to stop running and walk home. I quit training. It felt like menstrual cramps, but only on the one side. And it would keep going for an hour or so after I stopped running. Looking back, I’m pretty sure that having a big ol’ tumor (mine was 15 centimeters so like a grapefruit or large navel orange… so long as we are going to talk fruit) flopping around inside my pelvis when I was running was not comfy for the other organs being pushed around.
I SHOULD have gotten checked out sooner based solely upon this symptom. I was having persistent pain that was progressive. It was mild at first and then got worse and worse. Instead I quit training and let another few months pass before I went to the doctor. In my book, The No Bull**** Guide to Dealing with Cancer, I explain why I (and may others) make this critical error of waiting. I might (though I will never know) have saved myself from having to deal with so much treatment, or perhaps avoided the recurrence I experienced nine years later. But many of us do this, so you’re not alone if you’ve been worried and putting off that doctor’s appointment. That said, if you ARE experiencing symptoms… GET CHECKED OUT!
What Should You Do If You Notice Pelvic and Abdominal Pain Symptoms?
If you notice symptoms of pelvic and abdominal pain that raise concerns, take the following steps:
Consult a Healthcare Professional: Reach out to your healthcare provider and describe your symptoms in detail. They can provide guidance, order appropriate tests, and refer you to a specialist if necessary.
In other words, make an appointment with your OB/GYN. You may also decide to see other doctors such as a gastroenterologist (specializes in digestive issues), or others depending upon what these doctors and/or your primary care physician suggest. But DEFINITELY go see your OB/GYN any time you have pelvic or abdominal pain that doesn’t go away (persistent) or gets worse (progressive).
Diagnostic Tests: Your healthcare team may recommend imaging tests, such as ultrasounds or CT scans, to further evaluate the cause of your pain. They may also recommend blood tests for biomarkers like CA-125, Inhibin A and B, and others.
When I finally went to the OB/GYN with my concerns, she conducted a physical exam (reached in there and felt the mass) and ordered an immediate ultrasound. When that ultrasound failed to find my right ovary but DID find a mass with a bunch of blood vessels feeding it (THAT wasn’t terrifying at all…), she ordered an immediate CT scan. By the end of the day I knew I had a very large mass where my right ovary was supposed to be (RED ALERT, RED ALERT!), but I also knew there was no other visible spread, known as metastasis (Well, that is better news…).
It COULD have been a fibroid or other benign growth.
It wasn’t.
And what it DEFINITELY wasn’t was nothing. I wasn’t imagining it. I wasn’t being a drama queen or baby. Something was deeply wrong. And we caught it just in time to save my life.
When I was scheduled for life-saving surgery, we also found that my Inhibin B biomarker was extremely elevated. My CA-125 and Inhibin A were not. This it’s important to understand and is part of the reason why there is no annual screening yet for ovarian cancer the way there is for cervical cancer (PAP smear). There are many reasons why CA-125 can fluctuate that are not related to cancer and it’s not always elevated when cancer is present.
What Causes Pelvic and Abdominal Pain in Ovarian Cancer?
Understanding the underlying causes of pelvic and abdominal pain in ovarian cancer is important. Here are potential factors:
Tumor Growth and Pressure: Ovarian tumors can exert pressure on surrounding organs, nerves, and tissues, leading to pain and discomfort in the pelvic and abdominal areas.
This is a fancy way of saying that in an already crowded part of your body, when a tumor starts taking up real estate, is SQUISHES others in the vicinity, causing pain or discomfort. It can press on your bladder, your colon, your large instestine, nerves, muscles… causing the body to protest in the form of pelvic or abdominal pain and discomfort.
Inflammation and Irritation: Ovarian cancer triggers an inflammatory response in the body, which can result in pain and discomfort.
This is your body starting to recognize that something is wrong and creating inflammation, as it does when you have an injury or infection. This is a fancy word for SWELLING. And again, in an area that is filled with tightly packed organs, swelling can cause pressure that leads to pelvic or abdominal pain and discomfort.
By being aware of these causes, you can have informed discussions with your healthcare team and explore appropriate treatment options.
Conclusion
Recognizing the symptoms of pelvic and abdominal pain associated with ovarian cancer is crucial for early detection and intervention. If you experience persistent or concerning pain, reach out to your healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance. This blog post aims to provide information and support, but it should not replace professional medical advice. Remember, proactive management of your health is vital, and seeking timely medical attention can make a significant difference.
References
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. (n.d.). Ovarian Cancer Symptoms. Retrieved from https://ovarian.org/about-ovarian-cancer/awareness-and-education/symptoms-of-ovarian-cancer/
American Cancer Society. (2021). Ovarian Cancer Early Detection. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html
