Ovarian cancer is sometimes called a "silent" cancer, but it is rarely completely silent. The signs are vague: gas, bloating, a feeling of fullness, a heavy lower tummy. Women in Varanasi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Ballia and the districts of Bihar often take antacids or "gas ki dawa" for months while the tummy keeps swelling. By the time a scan is done, fluid may have collected in the abdomen. Paying attention to these signs early makes a real difference. This guide explains the symptoms, the tests and the treatment options for ovarian cancer at ZenHeal Cancer Hospital, Varanasi, and how to get a same-day appointment.
Book Consultation: Call +91 99307 09000 or WhatsApp your ultrasound, CT and CA-125 reports to +91 98803 78899. Same-day appointment with a cancer specialist at ZenHeal Varanasi.
Signs that need a doctor
See a doctor if any of these are new and last more than three weeks:
- Bloating or a swollen tummy that does not come and go
- Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite
- Pain or heaviness in the lower tummy, pelvis or back
- Needing to pass urine often or urgently
- Change in bowel habit, such as new constipation
- Unexplained tiredness or weight loss, sometimes with a bigger tummy
- Bleeding after menopause or irregular bleeding
Love Heals Cancer has a guide on bleeding after sex or menopause and on unexplained weight loss.
Who has a higher risk?
Ovarian cancer is more common after 50, but it can occur at any age. A mother, sister or daughter with ovarian or breast cancer, inherited BRCA gene changes, never having been pregnant, endometriosis and being overweight raise the risk. Long use of birth-control pills and breastfeeding lower it. Women from families with several breast or ovarian cancers may benefit from genetic counselling.
Tests at ZenHeal Varanasi
After a history and a gentle examination of the abdomen and pelvis (a female attendant can be present), the doctor may advise:
- Ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis – often the first test that shows a cyst or mass on the ovary.
- CT scan of the abdomen, pelvis and chest – to see how far the disease has spread and to plan surgery.
- CA-125 blood test, and in younger women other tumour markers such as AFP, beta-hCG and LDH. A high CA-125 alone does not prove cancer; read more on tumour marker tests.
- Fluid tapping or a biopsy in some cases, when surgery is not the first step. Our Hindi biopsy guide explains the process.
- Blood tests, ECG and a fitness check before major surgery.
Bring every earlier ultrasound, CT film and CD, tumour marker report and any operation notes or biopsy slides.
Treatment options at ZenHeal Varanasi
Ovarian cancer is usually treated with surgery and chemotherapy together. The order depends on the stage, how much disease there is and how fit the patient is. The surgeon, the medical team and the anaesthesia team plan it together and explain it in simple Hindi or English.
Surgery
The aim of surgery is to remove as much of the visible disease as possible. Depending on the stage, it may include removal of the ovaries, tubes and uterus, the fatty apron in the abdomen (omentum), lymph nodes and any deposits on other organs. This is called cytoreductive or debulking surgery. In young women with very early disease, fertility-sparing surgery may sometimes be discussed.
Gynaecological cancer surgery at ZenHeal Varanasi is performed by Dr. Pritesh Rajeev Singh, Surgical Oncologist (MCh Surgical Oncology, Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute), who treats ovarian cancer and operates on locally advanced tumours that need complex surgery. Anaesthesia and intensive care around major surgery are led by Dr. Maithili Thakur, Anaesthesiologist, Critical Care and Medicine. Read more about our cancer surgeon in Varanasi.
Chemotherapy
Most women need chemotherapy. When the disease is widespread or the patient is weak, chemotherapy is often given first for a few cycles to shrink the disease (neoadjuvant chemotherapy), followed by surgery and then more cycles. ZenHeal Varanasi has a day-care chemotherapy unit; see what to expect in chemotherapy day care.
Targeted therapy and other treatment
Women with BRCA changes or certain tumour features may benefit from maintenance tablets called PARP inhibitors, and some patients receive other targeted medicines. See immunotherapy and targeted therapy in Varanasi.
Your first visit
You do not need a referral letter. At the visit, the doctor reviews your reports, examines you, and explains whether surgery or chemotherapy should come first. Bring your Aadhaar card, your Ayushman Bharat or insurance card and a list of current medicines. If fluid in the tummy is causing breathlessness or discomfort, tell the team when you call so it can be drained early.
Cost of ovarian cancer treatment in Varanasi
The cost depends on the stage, the extent of surgery, the number of chemotherapy cycles, whether targeted tablets are advised and the length of stay. ZenHeal gives an estimate after the doctor reviews your reports.
- Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): accepted for eligible patients, including card holders from Bihar. See Ayushman Bharat cancer treatment.
- Cashless insurance: our help desk handles pre-authorisation.
- Relief funds and NGO support: our counsellors and Love Heals Cancer can guide you on financial support.
Coming from Bihar or a distant district?
ZenHeal Varanasi is on Dafi Highway, Amara Bypass, about 4 km from BHU, and reachable by road from Ghazipur, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Jaunpur, Ballia and from Buxar, Kaimur and Rohtas in Bihar. Call +91 99307 09000 before you travel and share your reports on WhatsApp. Directions are on the cancer hospital in Varanasi page and our Varanasi hospital page. Women nearer to Prayagraj can read about ovarian cancer treatment in Prayagraj at the ZenHeal Prayagraj hospital (see cancer hospital in Prayagraj).
After treatment
Follow-up visits usually include an examination, CA-125 and scans when needed. Report new bloating, pain or loss of appetite early. Eat well, walk daily and ask for help with tiredness, early menopause symptoms or worry; Love Heals Cancer offers free counselling.
Questions to ask your doctor
- What stage is the cancer, and what type?
- Should I have surgery first or chemotherapy first?
- What exactly will be removed during surgery?
- How many chemotherapy cycles will I need?
- Should I have BRCA testing, and should my daughters or sisters be tested?
- What follow-up will I need after treatment?
Choosing a hospital for ovarian cancer in Varanasi
When families compare hospitals for ovarian cancer treatment in Varanasi, useful checks are: a surgical oncologist who does major abdominal cancer surgery, an anaesthesia and ICU team, day-care chemotherapy, CT scan facilities, Ayushman Bharat support and doctors who explain the plan clearly. A second opinion is always reasonable; see cancer second opinion.
Take the first step
Bloating that does not go away deserves more than another antacid. Call +91 99307 09000 to Book Consultation and get a same-day appointment at ZenHeal Cancer Hospital, Varanasi. See also: ovarian cancer, our doctors, free report review and our Varanasi hospital.