Symptoms of ovarian cancer

The female reproductive organs are a complex and serious system, the health of which is very important for every woman. Many gynecological diseases are diagnosed at early stages and successfully treated, but some diseases are detected too late. For example, symptoms of ovarian cancer may appear only when the pathology is already progressing. Therefore, it is important to listen to the signs that the body sends, so as not to miss dangerous signs.

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Early Signs of Ovarian Cancer

The early stage of ovarian cancer development is usually asymptomatic. Much later, as the process progresses and metastasis begins, pain in the lower abdomen and a feeling of weakness may occur.

An additional symptom of almost any cancerous tumor may be general emaciation. In ovarian cancer, along with weight loss, the abdomen visually enlarges. This occurs due to the increased growth of the tumor, as well as the transition of the malignant process to the peritoneal tissue. At later stages, an increase in the abdomen is often associated with pathological accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity - ascites.

Early symptoms of ovarian cancer may resemble signs of inflammation, so it is important to promptly exclude salpingo-oophoritis or adnexitis. Depending on the further spread of the tumor, unmotivated digestive disorders, difficulties with defecation, and intestinal obstruction sometimes occur.

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Symptoms of Uterine and Ovarian Cancer

Unfortunately, a large number of patients cannot even suspect the presence of uterine and ovarian cancer, since in about 80% of cases the pathology does not manifest itself with any characteristic symptoms. The disease is detected during a routine examination or during an ultrasound examination for other diseases.

But in some cases, women may notice the following signs:

• increase in the duration of the monthly cycle, the appearance of pain during menstruation;
• constant fatigue, weakness, pale skin (symptoms of anemia);
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• difficulties in conceiving a child;
• digestive and urination disorders (when the tumor compresses nearby organs);
• undiagnosed uterine bleeding not associated with the menstrual cycle;
• recurrent cases of miscarriage, miscarriages.

You should pay attention to such symptoms and contact specialists as soon as possible. Indeed, the signs of cancer development are not typical. However, the best option would be to exclude the dangerous disease in a timely manner.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer metastasis

The clinical picture of ovarian cancer metastases directly depends on the amount and localization of metastasis. Cancerous tumor develops in stages: at first, the neoplasm is limited only to ovarian tissues, then it moves to nearby organs, and only after that the process of spreading metastases to the lymph nodes and distant organs begins.

The location of metastases is determined by the anatomical features of the reproductive system. The ovaries contain many blood and lymphatic vessels that connect them not only to the nearest lymph nodes, but also to the most distant organs. In this regard, cancer cells often spread early and extensively throughout the entire body. In addition, implantation of the tumor is also possible - through the abdominal cavity. In this case, the perimetry, ligaments and peritoneum are affected. Gradually, the urinary organs, intestines, external genitalia are involved in the process, which causes the corresponding symptoms: urination disorders, difficulty in defecation, signs of intestinal obstruction.

Visually, you can pay attention to the enlargement of the lymph nodes. Cancer cells spread through the lymphatic vessels to the internal iliac, sacral and even lumbar lymph nodes. Less often, the inguinal nodes are affected, which are supplied with lymph coming from the bottom of the uterus.

Symptoms of unilateral ovarian cancer

Symptoms of right ovarian cancer may resemble the clinical picture of adnexitis:

• there are nagging, sluggish pains in the lower right part of the abdomen, sometimes radiating to the lumbar region, the anal sphincter area, and the right hypochondrium;
• occasionally, vaginal discharge is observed, including bloody discharge;
• weakness, general discomfort, tachycardia increase, flatulence and problems with defecation often occur;
• In more advanced cases, there may be a decrease in blood pressure, impaired urine flow, and an enlarged abdomen with asymmetry to the right side.

Female infertility often develops, primarily due to tubal mechanical obstruction and ovarian dysfunction.

Symptoms of left ovarian cancer differ from right-sided lesions only by the localization of pain mainly on the left side. However, it is necessary to take into account that pain is far from being a characteristic and certainly not the only sign of a malignant neoplasm. Therefore, it is very important to periodically visit a gynecologist and conduct preventive ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and pelvic organs.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer on ultrasound

Ultrasound examination can detect changes that are also atypical, but allow one to suspect ovarian cancer. Such changes include:

• Plus tissue syndrome is the discovery of additional tissue that should not normally be present;
• the presence of a multi-chamber or single-chamber neoplasm, with jagged contours (in rare cases with smooth contours);
• a large number of partitions with inclusions and thickening zones;
• presence of parietal growths;
• accumulation of free fluid in the abdominal cavity, not associated with the ovulatory period;
• significant asymmetry of the right and left ovaries;
• inability to determine the contours of the ovary;
• the presence of a neoplasm that resembles a cystic tumor in structure, but occurs in the patient during menopause;
• detection of areas of increased blood supply in the ovaries.

If the doctor detects one of the listed symptoms, he will prescribe several more repeat ultrasounds over the course of one and a half to two months to check the results.

If more than 2 symptoms are detected, a number of additional studies are prescribed, including testing the function of the mammary glands, thyroid gland, pelvic organs and lymphatic system.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer Recurrence

Even after removal of a cancerous tumor in the ovary, the risk of recurrence still exists. Malignant cells can remain in the blood and lymph, as well as in the abdominal fluid.

The recurrence of a cancerous tumor may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• progressive general discomfort;
• constant feeling of fatigue and decreased performance;
• decrease in daily urine output;
• feeling of "heavy stomach", flatulence;
• intestinal obstruction;
• dyspeptic disorders;
• ascites.

Early symptoms may not always appear. Only as the malignant tumor progresses does the patient's health noticeably deteriorate.

In more than 80% of cases, recurrence of the tumor occurs in the pelvis. Less frequently, recurrences are found in the nodes of the lymphatic system and some organs, such as the liver, lungs, intestines or stomach.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer During Menopause

As we have already said, ovarian cancer does not have typical symptoms. However, there are a number of signs that should alert a woman and serve as a reason to see a doctor.

• A nagging pain in the right or left lower abdomen, often constant.
• Flatulence not associated with food intake.
• Pain in the lumbar region that is not relieved by conventional painkillers.
• Sudden vaginal bleeding.
• An increase in temperature without any apparent cause, which lasts for several days in a row.
• Indigestion without apparent cause.
• Spontaneous weight loss of more than 5 kg per month.
• The appearance of ulcers and sores on the external genitalia.
• Constant feeling of fatigue, drowsiness.
• Dizziness, decreased blood pressure and other signs of anemia.

It is important to note that pain in the ovaries and bleeding, especially during menopause, should not be ignored. Such symptoms in any case already indicate a pathology, even if not a cancerous tumor.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer, first of all, should be noticed by the woman herself, paying attention to any non-standard manifestations on the part of her body. If there are doubts and suspicions, it is better to undergo timely qualified diagnostics from specialists.