What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer

What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer?

1. Abdominal distension and frequent urination

In the early stages of ovarian cancer, due to the compression and pulling of the surrounding ligaments by the ovarian tumor, plus a small amount of ascites, patients often find that their abdomen is thickened, they often have bloating, and even symptoms of frequent and urgent urination. Generally speaking, most people would not think of ovarian cancer when they have bloating, but this is indeed an early warning symptom of ovarian cancer, especially for menopausal women, and should not be ignored.

2. Loss of appetite and weight loss

Most patients have symptoms such as anorexia, easy fullness, indigestion, constipation, and weight loss in the early stages of ovarian cancer. Because ovarian cancer mechanically compresses the gastrointestinal tract, it leads to reduced food intake and digestive disorders, making patients thinner and thinner, anemic, and fatigued. These early symptoms of ovarian cancer can easily be mistaken for digestive system diseases and require special attention. If the above symptoms persist for more than two weeks, you should go to the hospital for treatment in time.

3. Pain in the pelvis or lower back

Patients with early ovarian cancer generally do not find swelling, but when the position changes or strenuous exercise, it will cause discomfort and pain in the pelvis or waist and abdomen. This discomfort is sometimes hidden, and patients can often tolerate it. But as the disease progresses, the symptoms will gradually worsen. Its nature ranges from dull pain to dull pain, or even more severe pain.

4. Edema of lower limbs and vulva

Once ovarian cancer grows and becomes fixed in the pelvic cavity, it will compress the pelvic veins, resulting in poor blood flow or affecting lymphatic return. Over time, the patient will experience edema in the lower limbs and vulva. At this time, the possibility of ovarian cancer should be considered.

5. Abnormal secondary sexual characteristics

Ovarian cancer can cause some patients to have disordered sex hormone secretion. As cancer cells continue to destroy normal ovarian tissue, ovarian dysfunction occurs, and some patients experience abnormal menstruation, irregular vaginal bleeding, scanty menstruation, or amenorrhea. If it is testicular prostate cancer, it will produce too much androgen, causing women to show signs of masculinization. There will be more body hair.