Is Headache a Symptom of Ovarian Cancer?

Headache is not a common or typical symptom of ovarian cancer. The more characteristic symptoms usually involve the abdomen and pelvis such as bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, urinary urgency/frequency, changes in bowel habits, and abnormal vaginal bleeding. These symptoms tend to be fairly constant and represent a change from your usual health, especially if they occur almost daily for more than 2–3 weeks. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

What Symptoms Are Typical for Ovarian Cancer?

• Abdominal bloating or swelling and pelvic/abdominal pain are common. ^{[2] [3]}
• Early satiety (feeling full quickly), loss of appetite, and unintended weight loss/gain can occur. ^{[2] [3] [4] [6]}
• Urinary urgency/frequency and changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea) are frequent. ^{[2] [3] [4] [6]}
• Menstrual changes or intermenstrual bleeding may be present. ^{[2] [4] [6]}

Ovarian cancer often causes vague abdominal-pelvic symptoms that develop subtly and may be mistaken for more common conditions; early-stage disease may have minimal or no symptoms. ^{[3] [7]}

Why Might Someone With Ovarian Cancer Have Headaches?

While headaches aren’t typical of ovarian cancer itself, they can occur for several reasons during cancer care:

• Medication side effects (e.g., PARP inhibitors like niraparib): Headache can be a treatment-related side effect; severe, persistent headaches not relieved by usual pain medicines warrant urgent medical review. ^{[8] [9]}
• High blood pressure from certain therapies: Some treatments (e.g., bevacizumab) can raise blood pressure, and severe hypertension may cause headaches, dizziness, or shortness of breath; blood pressure is routinely monitored during treatment. ^{[10] [11]}
• Anemia (low red blood cells): Anemia from chemotherapy can cause fatigue, light-headedness, and sometimes headache. ^[11]
• General cancer-related neurologic issues: Cancers can affect the nervous system; when the brain is involved, headaches or stroke-like symptoms can occur, though this is not typical for ovarian cancer and would be uncommon. ^[12]
• Procedural causes: After certain procedures (e.g., lumbar puncture for intrathecal therapy), post-procedure headaches can happen. Routine bed rest does not prevent these; follow local guidance and report abnormal neurological signs. ^[13]

Red Flags: When to Seek Urgent Care

• Very bad headache not helped by pain medication or associated with new neurologic symptoms (vision changes, weakness, confusion) should be evaluated immediately. ^{[8] [14]}
• Headache with severe hypertension symptoms (severe headache, shortness of breath, dizziness) needs prompt medical attention. ^[11]

How to Manage Headaches Safely

Management depends on the cause; the following are general, cautious approaches:

• Simple analgesics: Acetaminophen (paracetamol) can be used for typical mild headaches, unless your care team has advised otherwise. ^[8]
• Monitor blood pressure: If you are on treatments known to raise blood pressure, regular checks and timely adjustment of medications can reduce headache risk. ^{[10] [11]}
• Address contributing factors:
  • Treat anemia if present (as guided by your oncology team). ^[11]
  • Optimize hydration, sleep, and stress management; gentle daily exercise can help overall symptom control. ^[9]
• Avoid medication overuse: Frequent use of pain relievers can lead to medication-overuse headaches; your team can help plan safe use. ^[15]
• Report persistent changes: Headaches that are new, worsening, or different from your usual pattern especially if accompanied by neurologic symptoms should be reported promptly. ^[14]

Summary

• Headaches are not a common symptom of ovarian cancer; typical symptoms center on the abdomen and pelvis and include bloating, pain, early satiety, urinary changes, and bowel changes. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}
• Headaches can occur during cancer treatment due to medication side effects, high blood pressure, anemia, procedures, or rarely neurologic involvement. ^{[8] [10] [11] [12] [13]}
• Safe management includes appropriate analgesics, monitoring blood pressure, treating contributing conditions, and seeking urgent care for severe or unusual headaches. ^{[8] [11] [14]}

If you’re experiencing headaches during ovarian cancer care, a tailored evaluation by your oncology team is important to identify the cause and choose the safest treatment plan. ^{[8] [11]}