Ovarian Cancer Stories from Patients & Survivors
Ovarian epithelial cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer form in the same kind of tissue and are treated in the same way. These cancers are often advanced at diagnosis.
The most common type is epithelial, comprising about 90% of ovarian cancer cases in the U.S. Less common types of ovarian tumors include ovarian germ cell tumors and ovarian low malignant potential tumors. (National Cancer Institute)
Explore below for in-depth ovarian cancer stories from our community members who share everything: first symptoms, treatment timeline, to navigating life with cancer.
Patient Stories
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Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Jodi S., Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4
Symptoms: Extreme bloating, extremely tight skin, changes in digestive tract, significant pelvic pain, sharp-shooting pains down inner thighs, extreme fatigue
Treatments: Chemotherapy (pre- & post-surgery), surgery (hysterectomy)
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Heather M., Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, Stage 2
Symptoms: Extreme bloating, pinching pain in right side of abdomen, extreme fatigue
Treatments: Surgery (total hysterectomy), chemotherapy (Taxol once a week for 18 week, carboplatin every 3 weeks), concurrent clinical trial (Avastin) every 3 weeks
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Low-Grade Serous
Julia T., Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Stage 3C
Symptoms: Unexplained weight loss and then rapid weight gain, chronic acid reflux and heartburn, persistent bloating and abdominal distension, early satiety, frequent urination with hip pain, extreme abdominal pain and tenderness
Treatments: Surgeries (abdominal surgery to remove large ovarian cysts, full hysterectomy, debulking surgery), chemotherapy, hormone therapy (exemestane)
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Kacie K., Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Stage 3
Symptoms: Pelvic pain, sharp pains during menstrual periods, inability to urinate normally, bleeding
Treatments: Surgeries (full hysterectomy, ostomy surgery, ostomy reversal surgery), chemotherapy
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Cheyann S., Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4B
Symptoms: Stomach pain, constipation, lump on the right side above pubic area
Treatments: Cancer debulking surgery, chemotherapy (carboplatin & Taxol, then Doxil & Avastin)
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Alisa M., Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Symptoms: Occasional rectal pain, acid reflux, bloating, night sweats
Treatments: Debulking surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy
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Maurissa M., Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Symptoms: Pressure on bladder, throbbing pain, could feel growth on right side of abdominal area
Treatments: 5 surgeries (official diagnosis after 3rd)
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High-Grade Serous
Alicia N., Ovarian Cancer, Stage 3C; Uterine Cancer, Stage 1
Symptoms: No menstrual cycle for one year followed by almost two years of daily bleeding, large blood clots, high blood pressure, random cough, bloating, lower back pain
Treatments: Surgery (total hysterectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy (planned)
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Melanie E., High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic), BRCA1+
Symptoms: Cough, stabbing pain in right rib area, bloating, frequent urination, moodiness, fatigue
Treatments: Surgery (debulking surgery including full hysterectomy), chemotherapy, immunotherapy
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Amber C., High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4B
Symptoms: bowel irregularities (urgency, alternating constipation & diarrhea), night sweats, unintended weight loss, irregular periods, fatigue, pain while sitting or going to the bathroom, blood in stool
Treatments: Surgeries (debulking surgery, radical hysterectomy, oophorectomy, ileostomy placement, preventive double mastectomy with breast reconstruction), chemotherapy, targeted therapy (PARP inhibitor)
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Courtney H., High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Stage 3C, BRCA1+
Symptoms: Noticeable body changes, fatigue and frequent napping, random abdominal pain, severe constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss
Treatments: Chemotherapy (carboplatin & paclitaxel), PARP inhibitor (olaparib), surgery (interval debulking, thoracoscopic thymectomy)
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Gigi D., High-Grade Serous Carcinoma, Stage 1A, HER2+, PR+, ER-
Symptoms: Hiccup-like sensations behind the sternum, gastrointestinal issues, spotting
Treatment: Chemotherapy (carboplatin & paclitaxel)
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Clear-Cell
Kim C., Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic)
Symptoms: Coughing, incontinence, severe bloating, nighttime pain, hard lump on right side, appearance of rash on chest
Treatments: Surgeries (radical hysterectomy, lymphadenectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, clinical trial
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Sara I., High-Grade Serous & Clear Cell Carcinoma, Stage 3A
Symptoms: Random sharp pains, unrelated scan showed ovarian cyst
Treatments: Debulking surgery, chemotherapy (carboplatin & paclitaxel), PARP inhibitors (clinical trial)
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Spencer L., Ovarian Cancer (Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma), Stage 1
Symptoms: Mass in the ovary discovered during preparation for IVF
Treatments: Surgeries (hysterectomy, oophorectomy, salpingectomy), chemotherapy
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Stromal
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Germ Cell Tumors
Gautami M., Germ Cell, Stage 3B
Symptom: Swollen abdomen
Treatments: Surgery (to remove cyst and ovary), chemotherapy (Bleomycin, Carboplatin)
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