What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer

In recent years, the number of female friends suffering from ovarian cancer has been increasing, and the trend is developing towards younger age. Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer, a malignant tumor, which seriously threatens the life and safety of female friends. If the disease can be detected in time, it can be treated in time to reduce the pain caused by the disease.

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

(1) In the early stages, there may be occasional discomfort in the lower abdomen or a feeling of heaviness and pain in one side of the lower abdomen.

(2) Abdominal distension. Due to the rapid growth of the tumor, there may be abdominal distension, abdominal mass and ascites in the short term. If the tumor is small, it can only be found during a pelvic examination. When the mass gradually grows beyond the pelvic cavity, the mass can be felt in the abdomen.

(3) Compression symptoms: When the tumor infiltrates into the surrounding tissues or compresses the nerves, it may cause abdominal pain, back pain, or sciatica. If it compresses the pelvic veins, lower limb edema may occur. A large tumor may compress the bladder, causing frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and urine retention. Compression of the rectum may cause difficulty in defecation. Compression of the gastrointestinal tract may cause digestive tract symptoms. Compression of the diaphragm may cause breathing difficulties and inability to lie flat.

(4) Due to the rapid growth of the tumor, malnutrition and weight loss occur, forming cachexia.

(5) Symptoms may occur due to tumor metastasis. Ovarian malignant tumors rarely cause pain. However, if the tumor ruptures, bleeds, or becomes infected, or if it infiltrates and compresses adjacent organs, it may cause abdominal pain or back pain.

(6) Menstrual disorders and vaginal bleeding may occur. If both ovaries are destroyed by cancerous tissue, it may cause menstrual disorders and amenorrhea. Lung metastasis may cause coughing, hemoptysis, and pleural effusion. Bone metastasis may cause severe pain in the local metastatic site. Intestinal metastasis may cause blood in the stool, and severe cases may cause intestinal obstruction.

Experts point out that we can detect ovarian cancer in its early stages, but due to the negligence of female friends, female friends often wait until the disease develops to the middle and late stages before they realize the seriousness of the disease. Therefore, it is recommended that female friends go to the hospital for regular physical examinations to help themselves detect the presence of the disease in time.