National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC)

Dysponoea might be caused by:

• the muscles in the diaphragm becoming rigid in an effort to avoid painful movement
• ascites (a build-up of fluid in the abdomen)
• pleural effusion (a build-up of fluid in the lungs).

A doctor can provide advice about how dyspnoea can be relieved. Women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer may experience a build-up of fluid in the lungs. If this happens, a member of the treatment team will provide information about ways of relieving the symptoms and removing the fluid.