Ovarian cancer
Cancer of the ovaries
If you have ovarian cancer, or are concerned by symptoms you’re having, HCA UK has the expertise and facilities to help
About
Need to know
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Symptoms of ovarian cancer icon plus
Ovarian cancer can often be difficult to recognise. Symptoms can be similar to more common benign (non-cancerous) conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The main symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
- swollen abdomen or bloating
- feeling full quickly when eating or loss of appetite
- need to urinate more frequently or more urgently
- pain or discomfort in your abdomen or back
You may also have:
- unexplained weight loss or tiredness
- changes in your bowel habits, such as constipation
- indigestion or nausea
- pain during sex
If you’re concerned by any symptoms, then it’s important to see your GP or consultant. -
Diagnosis icon plus
Tests to help diagnose ovarian cancer include:
- Pelvic examination. Your GP or consultant will feel if your uterus and ovaries are normal.
- Pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound. A scan of your abdomen and pelvis to provide images of your ovaries.
- CT scan. A scan if your consultant would like to see your ovaries more clearly.
- Blood tests. For your overall health, and to detect the protein CA125, a marker that can indicate some ovarian cancers.
- Needle biopsy. A fine needle is used to take a sample of ovary cells to be tested.
- Laparoscopy. A small cut is made in the abdomen and a thin tube with a camera is inserted to examine your ovaries.
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Potential treatment options icon plus
The main treatments for ovarian cancer are:
- Surgery. In early stages, you may have one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. If your cancer is more extensive, you may also have a hysterectomy to remove your womb, nearby lymph nodes and some surrounding abdominal tissue.
- Chemotherapy. This is a drug treatment given after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells. In advanced stages, it may be used before surgery to help reduce the cancer.
Targeted therapy may be used if your cancer returns after initial treatment. These are treatments that are designed to target specific parts of cancer cells to slow down the cancer growth.
Our consultants
Our facilities
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
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The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
St John's Wood
London NW8 9LE
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London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
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The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street
London W1G 8BJ
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The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road
London
SW1W 8RH
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The Christie Private Care
Wilmslow Road
Manchester M20 4BX
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HCA UK at The Shard
The Shard
32 St Thomas Street
London SE1 9BS
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HCA UK at University College Hospital
5th floor, UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre
Grafton Way Building, 1 Grafton Way
London WC1E 6AG
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Private Care at Guy's
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT
Book an appointment
Our team can help with any enquiries or you can make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.
Call us today
020 7079 4344