Unfortunately, in most cases there are no symptoms in the early stages, and as a result, diagnosis is not made until cancer is well established. Some tumours of the ovary which can be either malignant or non-malignant produce sex hormones. If the hormones are of the male type, signs can include varying degrees of amenorrhea or loss of periods, even a failure of the periods to commence in the young girl. Breasts and genitals may fail to develop and deepening of the voice and abnormal growth of facial and body hair may occur. Acne of the skin can appear and there may be recession of the hair line at the forehead.
Obesity can be an added feature.
Signs of masculinisation in a young girl, even through to adulthood, should be thoroughly investigated. If the tumour produces female sex hormones the opposite symptoms can occur with early development of sex characteristics including the breasts, the pubic hair, and body contour. There may be associated abdominal distention and discomfort. Sometimes a tumour of the ovary will be discovered by the doctor during a routine gynecological examination. On other occasions it will present as an acute episode of some intense abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting.