Physical Exam

Physical exam findings from and signs exhibited by patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers will vary according to type of cancer. While the following may be observed, physical examination alone has a low sensitivity for detecting ovarian cancer:

• Abdominal distension
• Abdominal tenderness
• Ascites (fluid filled abdomen)
• Abdominal or pelvic mass
• Organomegaly (for example, large liver and/or spleen)
• Frozen pelvis (organs matted together from tumor)
• Bowel obstruction
• Pleural effusion (fluid in chest cavity)
• Vaginal bleeding
• Palpable lymph nodes
• Leg swelling (secondary to blood clot)

Go to the Physical Exam page of the Diagnostic Tests for more information.

Updated: June 8, 2018