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Knowing the significance of ovarian cancer that shows no symptoms is vital. Is it common for ovarian cancer to show symptoms? Ovarian cancer that does not exhibit obvious symptoms in its early stages makes it difficult to identify; this condition is known as asymptomatic ovarian cancer. Frequent screenings, like transvaginal ultrasounds and pelvic exams, can help with early detection and enhance treatment results.

To determine who can benefit from proactive screening, it is critical to be aware of risk variables, including age and family history. The chance of ovarian cancer treatment success and long-term survival is greatly increased by early diagnosis of asymptomatic disease. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Chinnababu Sunkavalli, who is the Clinical Director of Surgical Oncology and Sr. Consultant of Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgical Oncology at Yashoda hospitals in Hyderabad, talked about the reasons behind asymptomatic ovarian cancer.

According to Dr. Chinnababu, asymptomatic ovarian cancer refers to a condition where a person has ovarian cancer but does not display any noticeable symptoms. Several factors contribute to the absence of symptoms in some cases:

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Early Stage Detection: Ovarian cancer is notorious for being difficult to detect in its early stages due to the lack of specific symptoms. As a result, when ovarian cancer is asymptomatic, it often means that the cancer is in its initial stages, before it has grown large enough to cause noticeable symptoms.

Location Of The Tumor: The ovaries are situated deep within the pelvic cavity, which means that tumors can grow relatively unnoticed until they reach a significant size or spread to other organs. Asymptomatic ovarian cancer may occur when the tumor is small and confined to the ovaries, causing minimal disruption to nearby structures.

Slow Growth Rate: Some ovarian cancers grow slowly, allowing them to remain asymptomatic for an extended period of time. These tumors may not cause noticeable symptoms until they have reached an advanced stage or have metastasized to other parts of the body.

Individual Differences: Each person's body reacts differently to cancerous growths. While some individuals may experience symptoms early on, others may not experience any symptoms until the cancer has progressed significantly. Genetic factors, immune system response, and overall health can influence whether symptoms manifest.

Masking By Other Conditions: In some cases, symptoms of ovarian cancer may be attributed to other common conditions, such as gastrointestinal issues or urinary tract infections. This can lead to a delay in diagnosis and the false impression of asymptomatic ovarian cancer.

Silent Types Of Ovarian Cancer: Certain subtypes of ovarian cancer, such as mucinous or low-grade serous carcinomas, are known to be less symptomatic compared to other types. These tumors may grow slowly and remain asymptomatic until they reach an advanced stage.

Asymptomatic ovarian cancer may occur when the tumor is small and confined to the ovaries, causing minimal disruption to nearby structures.(Image Credit:Canva)

Regular Screening Practices: Asymptomatic ovarian cancer may also be detected incidentally through routine screenings, such as pelvic exams, transvaginal ultrasounds, or CA-125 blood tests, especially in individuals at high risk due to genetic predisposition or personal history.

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Finally, Dr. Chinnababu emphasized the importance of regular screenings and consulting with healthcare professionals for individuals at risk of ovarian cancer, despite the absence of symptoms, to ensure early detection and appropriate management.