Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Reproductive women's organs are a complex and serious system, the health of which is very important for every woman. Many gynecological diseases are diagnosed in the early stages and successfully cured, but some diseases are discovered too late. For example, the symptoms of ovarian cancer can 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 development of a cancerous tumor in the ovaries, as a rule, proceeds without symptoms. Much later, as the process increases and metastasis begins, soreness in the lower abdomen and a feeling of weakness may occur.

An additional sign of almost any cancer can be general emaciation. At a cancer of ovaries simultaneously with loss of weight of a body visually increases a stomach. This is due to the increased growth of the neoplasm, and as a result of the transition of the malignant process to the peritoneal tissue. At later stages, an increase in the abdomen is more often associated with a pathological accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity - ascites.

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

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Symptoms of cancer of the uterus and ovaries

Unfortunately, a large number of patients can not even suspect the presence of cancer of the uterus and ovaries, since in about 80% of cases, the pathology does not show any characteristic symptoms. The disease is found in the medical examination, or during ultrasound for other diseases.

But in some cases, women can pay attention to the following symptoms:

• an increase in the duration of the menstrual cycle, the appearance of pain during menstruation;
• constant fatigue, weakness, pale skin (symptoms of anemia);
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• difficulties with conceiving a child;
• indigestion and urination (when the tumor is squeezed by the nearest organs);
• Undiagnosed uterine bleeding not associated with the menstrual cycle;
• repeated cases of miscarriage, miscarriages.

You should pay attention to such symptoms and as soon as possible contact specialists. Indeed, the signs of cancer are not typical. However, the best option is the timely exclusion of a dangerous disease.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer Metastases

The clinical picture with metastases of ovarian cancer directly depends on the number and location of metastasis. Cancer develops in stages: first, the tumor is limited only to the tissues of the ovary, then passes to the nearby organs, and only after this begins the process of spreading metastases to the lymph nodes and to distant organs.

The location of metastases is determined by the anatomical features of the reproductive system. In the ovaries passes a lot of blood and lymph vessels, which connect them not only with the nearest lymph nodes, but also with the most distant organs. In connection with this, a widespread and widespread spread of cancer cells often throughout the body often occurs. In addition, it is possible and implantation of the tumor - through the abdominal cavity. In this case, perimetry, ligament and peritoneum are affected. Gradually, the urinary organs, intestines, external genital organs are involved in the process, which causes the corresponding symptoms: there are disorders of urination, difficulty in defecation, signs of intestinal obstruction.

Visually, you can pay attention to the enlarged lymph nodes. On the lymphatic vessels, cancer cells spread to the internal iliac, sacral and even lumbar lymph nodes. Less common are inguinal nodules, which are supplied with lymph, coming from the bottom of the uterus.

Symptoms of unilateral ovarian cancer

Symptoms of cancer of the right ovary may resemble an adnexitis clinic:

• there are pulling, languid pains in the lower right part of the abdomen, sometimes giving into the lumbar region, the anal sphincter zone, in the hypochondrium on the right;
• Occasionally there are discharge from the vagina, including bloody;
• growing weakness, general discomfort, tachycardia, often there is flatulence and problems with defecation;
• in more advanced cases, it is possible to lower blood pressure, violation of urine outflow, increase of abdomen with asymmetry on the right side.

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

Symptoms of cancer of the left ovary differ from the right-sided lesion only by localization of soreness mainly on the left side. However, it must be borne in mind 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 a prophylactic ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and pelvic organs.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer on ultrasound

With the help of ultrasound can detect changes that are also atypical, but can be suspected of ovarian cancer. Such changes include:

• "plus-tissue" syndrome is the detection of additional tissue, which should normally not be;
• the presence of a multi-chamber or single-chambered neoplasm, with torn contours (in rare cases with flat contours);
• a large number of partitions with impregnations and zones of thickening;
• 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 ovary;
• the impossibility of determining the contours of the ovary;
• the presence of a neoplasm that resembles a cystic structure, but occurs in a patient during menopause;
• Detection of areas of increased blood supply in the ovaries.

If the doctor discovers one of the listed symptoms, then he prescribes several more repeated ultrasound examinations for one and a half to two months to verify the results.

If more than 2 symptoms are detected, a number of additional studies are assigned, with a check on the function of the mammary glands, thyroid gland, pelvic organs and lymphatic system.

Symptoms of recurrence of ovarian cancer

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

Re-development of a cancerous tumor can be accompanied by such signs:

• progressive general discomfort;
• constant feeling of fatigue and decreased efficiency;
• a decrease in the daily amount of urine;
• sensation of a "heavy abdomen", flatulence;
• intestinal obstruction;
• dyspeptic disorders;
• ascites.

Early symptoms may not always appear. Only with the progression of malignant education does the patient feel significantly worse.

More than 80% of the tumor recurrence occurs in the small pelvis. Less often relapses 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, typical symptoms of ovarian cancer do not. However, there are a number of signs that should alert a woman and serve as an excuse for contacting a doctor.

• Drawing pain in the right or left lower abdomen, more often permanent.
• Flatulence, not associated with food intake.
• Pain in the lumbar region, which is not eliminated by conventional anesthetics.
• Suddenly, bleeding from the vagina.
• The rise in temperature without obvious causes, which lasts for several days in a row.
• Indigestion, for no apparent reason.
• Spontaneous emaciation more than 5 kg per month.
• The appearance of sores and wounds on the external genitalia.
• Constant feeling of fatigue, drowsiness.
• Dizziness, lower blood pressure and other signs of anemia.

It is important to note that pain in the ovarian region and bleeding, especially with menopause, should not be ignored. Such symptoms in any case already speak of pathology, even if not of a cancerous tumor.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer, in the first place, should be noticed by the woman herself, paying attention to any non-standard manifestations from her body. If there are doubts and suspicions, it is better to pass a timely qualified diagnosis of specialists.