Ovarian cancer

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is one of the common gynecological cancers. The ovaries are hidden deep in the pelvic cavity and are female internal reproductive organs. They have the function of secreting hormones and ovulation. The ovaries will begin to shrink after menopause. Most early-stage ovarian cancers have no symptoms. Once symptoms appear, most of them are advanced cancer, and even metastasis may occur.

The occurrence of ovarian cancer is related to hormones and ovulation factors. The large number of children who are not pregnant, infertile, and have fewer births may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, women with early menstruation or late menopause may also have obese people at home who love to eat high-fat and high-calorie foods, and the risk is also higher.

Many early symptoms of severe ovarian cancer can easily be confused with other diseases. Most patients will have satiety problems. This is considered a symptom that is easy to notice and one of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer, and it will get worse over time.

Ovarian cancer

Symptoms of ovarian cancer:

1. Abnormal menstruation: Although women after menopause are more likely to develop ovarian cancer, generally young women are also at risk of ovarian cancer, and they should seek medical attention if they have abnormal menstruation.

2. Nausea and vomiting: Generally speaking, nausea and vomiting caused by ovarian cancer are accompanied by symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.

3. Pain: Pain may be caused by tumor compression, pain, pelvic or abdominal pain, etc. may occur.

4. Easily full: Easily full is one of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer, and it will become more and more serious over time.

5. Defecation and urination symptoms: Constipation or changes in bowel habits, as well as frequent urination, urgency and other symptoms may occur.

The first stage: Cancer cells are still confined to the ovaries.

Stage 1A: Cancer cells only appear in one ovary.

Stage 1B: Cancer cells appear in both ovaries.

Stage 1C: Cancer cells appear in one or two ovaries. Combined cancer cells appear on the outside of the ovaries or on the outer wall of the ovaries. Abnormal tumor ruptures, or cancer cells appear in the peritoneal fluid.

Stage 2A: Cancer cells have spread to the uterus or fallopian tubes, or both.

Stage 2B: The cancer has spread to the bladder, colon or rectum.

Stage 2C: Cancer cells have spread to any of the above organs and combined with cancer cells that appeared outside the ovaries, or abnormal tumors on the outer wall of the ovaries ruptured, or cancer cells appeared in the peritoneal fluid.

The third stage: Cancer cells have spread to the abdominal cavity.

Stage 3A: Cancer cells have spread to the peritoneum, but must be observed under a microscope, but have not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage 3B: The tumor can be seen in the abdominal cavity. It is less than three-quarters of an inch in diameter, but it has not spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage 3C: The tumor in the abdominal cavity is larger than three-quarters of an inch in diameter, or the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, or both.

Stage 4: Cancer cells spread remotely and spread to the liver, lungs or other organs.

Bleeding: The surgical area of ​​ovarian cancer is relatively large, and there are many complications. Bleeding is a more dangerous complication, and emergency blood transfusions can lead to death.

Intestinal injury: If ovarian cancer has spread to the small and large intestines, the intestines need to be removed and an artificial stoma should be made. In addition, patients who have undergone multiple abdominal or pelvic surgery and are prone to severe pelvic adhesions will be treated during the adhesive peeling process. It is easy to cause intestinal damage. In severe cases, peritonitis and even septic shock may occur.

Metastasis: When cancer cells metastasize to other organs (brain, liver, lungs, bones, etc.), different symptoms will appear depending on the organ.

Hormones and ovulation factors: factors such as non-pregnancy, infertility and fewer children may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

Obesity: People who like to eat high-fat, high-calorie foods have too much fat accumulation, which not only easily leads to ovarian cancer, but also increases the risk of breast cancer.

Age: Women with early menstruation or late menopause have longer ovarian activity in their lives than ordinary women, and the risk is relatively higher.

Family history: Family members have suffered from ovarian cancer or breast cancer, and the chance of suffering from ovarian cancer is much higher than that of ordinary people.