Background: In the United States, ovarian cancer remains the deadliest gynecologic cancer because most women are diagnosed with advanced disease. Although early-stage ovarian tumors are considered asymptomatic, women experience symptoms throughout disease.
Objectives: This review identifies ovarian cancer symptom clusters and explores the applicability of the National Institutes of Health Symptom Science Model (NIH-SSM) for prompt symptom recognition and clinical intervention.
Methods: A focused CINAHL® and PubMed® database search was conducted for studies published from January 2000 to May 2022 using combinations of key terms.
Findings: The NIH-SSM can guide the delivery of precision-focused interventions that address racial disparities and foster equity in symptom- focused care. Enhanced understanding of symptom biology can support clinical oncology nurses in ambulatory and inpatient settings.
Keywords: ovarian cancer; quality of life; symptom clusters; symptom management.