If you have been told you have widened pelvic veins, or you are searching about pelvic congestion syndrome and ovarian cancer, the short answer is reassuring. Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is not a cancer, and it does not turn into one. But some of its symptoms overlap with the early signs of ovarian cancer, so it is worth knowing which symptoms should always be checked. This guide explains both, calmly and plainly.
Is pelvic congestion syndrome a type of cancer?
No. PCS is a problem with the veins in the pelvis. The small one-way valves in the ovarian veins stop working well, or a vein higher up is squeezed, so blood flows backwards and pools in widened veins around the womb and ovaries. That causes a dull, heavy ache that is often worse after standing. You can read the full explanation in our guide to pelvic congestion syndrome.
Cancer is different. It is an abnormal growth of cells that can invade nearby tissue and spread. Widened veins are not a growth, and they do not change into one.
Can pelvic congestion syndrome cause cancer?
There is no evidence that PCS causes cancer or raises your risk of ovarian, womb or any other cancer. It is a long-term pain condition, not a pre-cancerous one. Our page on whether pelvic congestion syndrome is serious covers the real risks, which are mainly about quality of life.
Treatments for PCS do not cause cancer either. The X-rays used in a venogram or embolisation involve a small dose of radiation, which carries a very small theoretical risk, and specialists keep the dose as low as they can.
Why the two can be confused
Ovarian cancer often causes vague symptoms at first, and some of them are also common in PCS:
| Symptom | Pelvic congestion syndrome | Ovarian cancer |
|---|---|---|
| Pelvic pain | Common: dull, dragging ache, worse after standing, eases lying down | Can occur: pain or tenderness in the tummy or pelvis |
| Bloating | Some women describe a heavy, full feeling in the pelvis | Common: a swollen tummy or bloating on most days |
| Passing urine more often | Can occur, from pressure on the bladder | Common: urgency or needing to go more often |
| Pain during or after sex | Common | Less typical |
| Feeling full quickly, poor appetite | Not typical | Common |
| Losing weight without trying | Not a feature | Can occur |
The pattern matters. PCS pain usually builds through the day and eases when you lie down. Symptoms that are persistent, happen on most days, are new for you, or are getting worse need checking whatever your veins look like.
Our guide to bloating, weight gain and dizziness with pelvic congestion looks at bloating in more detail.
Ovarian cancer warning signs to know
The NHS advises seeing a doctor if you frequently have, roughly 12 or more times a month:
- A swollen tummy or feeling bloated
- Pain or tenderness in your tummy or pelvis
- No appetite, or feeling full quickly after eating
- An urgent need to pass urine, or needing to go more often
Other possible symptoms include indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea, back pain, tiredness, losing weight without trying, and unusual vaginal bleeding.
These symptoms are common and usually have other causes. But they are worth getting checked, because cancer found early is more treatable. If you have already been seen and your symptoms have not settled, or are worse, go back.
Tell your doctor if a close relative has had ovarian or breast cancer, as this can affect your risk. A doctor may examine you and arrange a blood test and an ultrasound scan of the tummy and pelvis.
Do not let known veins hide new symptoms
One real risk for women with PCS is that a new problem gets put down to “just my veins”. Keep a simple record of your usual symptoms, so you and your doctor can spot a change. Ask for a review if:
- The pain feels different, is constant, or no longer eases when you lie down
- You develop bloating that does not come and go
- You have bleeding after sex, between periods or after menopause
- You lose weight without trying
Other cancers to keep in mind
Pelvic pain and bleeding can occasionally come from other gynaecological cancers. Briefly:
- Womb (uterus) cancer. The main warning sign is bleeding after menopause. Unusually heavy periods, bleeding between periods or a change in discharge also need checking.
- Cervical cancer. Warning signs include bleeding during or after sex, between periods or after menopause, and changes in discharge. Regular cervical screening helps find changes early, so keep up with yours.
- Bowel and bladder cancers. A lasting change in bowel habit, blood in your stool or blood in your urine should always be checked.
None of these is caused by pelvic congestion. They are listed because their symptoms can overlap with pelvic pain, and because finding them early matters.
Can a scan for pelvic congestion pick up cancer?
The scans used to look for PCS, such as a pelvic venous ultrasound or CT and MR venography, also show the womb and ovaries. A large ovarian cyst or growth would usually be seen. Rarely, widened pelvic veins are caused by something pressing on the veins higher up, such as a mass, and good imaging looks for this.
But a vein scan is not a cancer screening test, and a normal scan some months ago does not explain new symptoms. Part of diagnosing pelvic congestion syndrome is ruling out other causes of pain.
Can varicocele cause cancer?
In men, the same kind of vein problem appears as a varicocele, a cluster of widened veins above the testicle. A varicocele is not cancer and does not turn into testicular cancer.
There is one thing to know. Most varicoceles are on the left. A varicocele that appears suddenly later in life, is on the right side only, or does not shrink when you lie down can occasionally mean something higher up, such as a kidney growth, is pressing on the vein. A doctor may arrange a scan of the tummy to check. Separately, any lump in the testicle itself should be checked promptly. Read more about varicocele.
For a broader overview of the condition, see a Singapore vascular surgeon’s introduction to PCS.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have pelvic pain that has lasted for months, or if you often have bloating, pelvic or tummy pain, feel full quickly or need to pass urine more often, especially if these are new or getting worse. Also get checked for bleeding after menopause, bleeding after sex or between periods, losing weight without trying, or a new lump in a testicle. Our pelvic symptom check can help you organise your symptoms before an appointment.
Get urgent medical help for sudden severe pelvic or abdominal pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, fever with pelvic pain, fainting, a rapidly swelling tummy with vomiting, or pain or bleeding when you might be pregnant. In Singapore, call 995 in an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
Can pelvic congestion syndrome cause cancer?
No. Pelvic congestion syndrome is caused by widened veins with faulty valves. It is not a growth, it does not spread, and there is no evidence that it turns into cancer or makes cancer more likely.
Can pelvic congestion syndrome be mistaken for ovarian cancer?
The symptoms can overlap, because both can cause pelvic pain and bloating. But they look very different on scans. An ultrasound or CT scan done to look at pelvic veins also shows the ovaries, and a doctor can arrange extra tests if anything looks unusual.
Can varicocele cause cancer?
No. A varicocele is a cluster of widened veins in the scrotum and does not turn into testicular cancer. A new varicocele in an older man, one on the right side only, or one that does not shrink when lying down can occasionally be a sign that something higher up is pressing on the vein, so a doctor may arrange a scan.
Can a scan for pelvic congestion pick up ovarian cancer?
Scans of the pelvis show the ovaries and womb as well as the veins, so a large ovarian growth would usually be seen. But no single scan rules out every problem, so tell your doctor about any new or changing symptoms even if you have had a recent scan.
Should I worry that my pelvic pain is cancer?
Most pelvic pain is not caused by cancer. Long-term pain that is worse after standing and eases when lying down fits a vein problem. But pain that is new, getting steadily worse or comes with bloating, weight loss or unusual bleeding should be checked by a doctor.
Sources and further reading
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Please speak to a doctor about your own symptoms. How we create our content.
