Symptoms and referral of women with epithelial ovarian tumors

Objective: To study referral to hospital units and the clinical characteristics of women with epithelial ovarian tumors in a prospective, population-based study. Methods: Clinical information on all women diagnosed with epithelial invasive (n=486) and borderline ovarian tumors (n=137) in Norway during 2002 was derived from notifications to the Cancer Registry of Norway and medical, surgical and histopathological records. Results: Sixty-one percent of women with invasive ovarian tumors were initially referred to gynecology units. The 38% of women referred to surgical and medical units were more likely to have symptoms as 'bowel irregularity', 'pain outside the abdominal cavity', 'persisting fatigue' and 'respiratory difficulties'. These women were older, had lower performance status and had a delay in treatment of 20 and 24 days respectively compared to 11 at gynecology units. Conclusion: Greater awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer might lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment and thus possibly improve survival.