Clinical manifestations of early ovarian tumors

Ovarian tumors are malignant tumors that occur in ovarian tissue. Ovarian tumors have the characteristics of insidious onset, difficulty in early detection, easy metastasis, and poor prognosis. They account for a high proportion of all gynecological malignancies. The incidence of ovarian malignant tumors ranks third among female reproductive tract malignancies, second only to cervical cancer and uterine body cancer. Among female reproductive tract cancers, ovarian tumors are the most common cause of death.

Ovarian tumors, like other cancers, have no special symptoms in the early stages. When patients feel obvious discomfort, they are generally in the late stages of ovarian tumors. To detect ovarian tumors in the early stages, the most important thing is to understand the early symptoms of ovarian tumors. So, what are the early symptoms of ovarian tumors?

Ovarian malignant tumors grow rapidly and spread easily. Symptoms may vary depending on the size of the tumor, when it occurred, and whether there are complications. Common symptoms include:

(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 cough, hemoptysis, and pleural effusion. Bone metastasis may cause severe pain in the metastatic site. Intestinal metastasis may cause blood in the stool, and severe cases may cause intestinal obstruction.

In addition, if it is a functional tumor, it may produce corresponding symptoms of excess estrogen or androgen. For example, it may cause early dysfunctional uterine bleeding, vaginal bleeding after menopause, or signs of masculinization. Late-stage patients may show obvious weight loss, severe anemia, and other cachexia phenomena. During gynecological examination, scattered hard nodules and lumps can be felt in the posterior fornix of the vagina. Most of them are bilateral, substantial, with uneven surfaces, fixed, and often accompanied by bloody ascites. Sometimes enlarged lymph nodes can be felt in the groin, axilla, or supraclavicular region.