Ovarian cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries. The ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs.

Doctors who treat ovarian cancer include gynecologic oncologists, who are experts in cancers of the female reproductive system. They usually perform surgery to remove the cancer. Medical oncologists help with chemotherapy treatments, and sometimes, radiation oncologists provide radiation therapy if needed.  

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can include: 

• Bloating 

• Belly, back, or pelvic pain 

• Trouble eating or feeling full quickly 

• Needing to urinate often 

• Changes in menstrual cycle 

• Being more tired than usual 

These symptoms may seem mild at first and can be easy to ignore. If these symptoms last for more than a few weeks, it’s important to talk to a doctor, especially if there’s a family history of ovarian cancer or other reproductive cancers. 

Several health conditions can mimic ovarian cancer symptoms, which can make diagnosis tricky. These include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and stomach issues like indigestion or constipation. Some women may also have conditions like endometriosis or ovarian cysts that cause similar pain and bloating. Because these symptoms overlap with many other conditions, it’s important to check with a doctor if they don’t go away or seem unusual. 

Doctors use several tests to diagnose ovarian cancer. First, they may do a pelvic exam to feel for lumps or changes in the ovaries. Then, an ultrasound or CT scan can give a clearer picture of what’s going on. Doctors might also check a blood test called CA-125, which can be higher in people with ovarian cancer. However, the only way to know for sure is by doing surgery or a biopsy, where a small piece of tissue is tested for cancer. 

Ovarian cancer is usually treated with a mix of surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery is done to remove the cancer, which may include taking out the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. After surgery, chemotherapy is often used to remove any remaining cancer cells. Sometimes other treatments, like targeted therapy, are also part of the plan. Each treatment is chosen based on how far the cancer has spread and the patient’s overall health. 

Ovarian cancer doesn’t spread in just one way. However, if not caught in the early stages, ovarian cancer often spreads first to the lining of the abdomen called the peritoneum. From there, it can spread to nearby organs like the bladder or intestines. As the cancer gets worse, it may spread to lymph nodes and other organs, like the liver or lungs. Catching ovarian cancer early can help stop it from spreading to these areas.  

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find an Ovarian Cancer doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Ovarian Cancer doctor near New York, NY
Ovarian Cancer doctor near Los Angeles, CA
Ovarian Cancer doctor near Chicago, IL
Ovarian Cancer doctor near Houston, TX
Ovarian Cancer doctor near Phoenix, AZ
Ovarian Cancer doctor near Philadelphia, PA
Ovarian Cancer doctor near Atlanta, GA
Ovarian Cancer doctor near Boston, MA
Ovarian Cancer doctor near Dallas, TX
Ovarian Cancer doctor near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Ovarian Cancer doctor search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Ovarian Cancer doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Ovarian Cancer doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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