What are the main symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer?

Many women should know about ovarian cancer, a female disease. Everyone needs to know more about the symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer. Now, let the experts discuss with you what the symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer are. I hope it can help everyone better understand the symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer .

1. Sex hormone secretion disorder: If it is a functional tumor, it may produce corresponding symptoms of excessive estrogen or androgen, such as menstrual disorders, vaginal bleeding or signs of masculinization; if both ovaries are destroyed by cancerous tissue, it may cause menstrual disorders, amenorrhea, and postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, which are the symptoms of late-stage ovarian cancer.

2. Cachexia: The late-stage symptoms of ovarian cancer are due to the rapid growth of ovarian cancer. Cancer cells steal nutrients from the body's inherent fat and protein to build themselves, causing the body to lose a large amount of nutrients. Patients then show obvious weight loss, severe anemia and other late-stage symptoms of ovarian cancer.

3. Abdominal distension and lumps: Among the symptoms of late-stage ovarian cancer, lower abdominal distension is quite obvious. Since ovarian cancer grows rapidly and spreads easily, a large amount of ascites and even lumps will form in the abdomen. Small tumors can only be found during pelvic examinations, but when the lumps gradually grow beyond the pelvic cavity, the abdomen can be touched by hand.

4. Compression symptoms: In the late stage of ovarian cancer, when the tumor infiltrates into the surrounding tissues or compresses the nerves, it can cause abdominal pain, back pain or sciatica and other symptoms; if it compresses the pelvic veins, lower limb edema may occur; when the tumor becomes larger, it can compress the bladder, leading to frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and urine retention; compression of the rectum can cause difficulty in defecation; compression of the gastrointestinal tract can cause digestive tract symptoms; compression of the diaphragm can cause difficulty breathing and inability to lie flat. These are the symptoms of late stage ovarian cancer.

5. Lower abdominal discomfort: In the late stage of ovarian cancer, due to the involvement of the tumor by changes in body position and intestinal peristalsis, there will be symptoms such as lower abdominal discomfort or a feeling of heaviness and pain on one side of the lower abdomen. This is also a symptom of late stage ovarian cancer.

6. Pain: Malignant ovarian tumors may cause a considerable degree of persistent pain and distension due to changes within the tumor, such as rapid growth of hemorrhage and necrosis, or local tenderness may be found during examination, which are symptoms of late-stage ovarian cancer.

7. Other symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer: During gynecological examination, scattered hard nodules and lumps can be felt in the posterior fornix of the vagina. Most of the lumps are bilateral, solid, with uneven surfaces, and fixed. They are often accompanied by bloody ascites. Sometimes enlarged lymph nodes can be felt in the groin, axilla, or supraclavicular area.

Through the above introduction, everyone should have some understanding of the symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer. I hope it can bring some help to everyone. I wish that patients can choose the treatment method that suits them as soon as possible and recover soon.