What is ovarian tumor

Ovarian tumor refers to a tumor that occurs on the ovary. It is one of the common tumors of the female reproductive organs. Ovarian malignant tumors are also the tumor with the highest mortality rate among gynecological malignant tumors. Although great progress has been made in both basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment of ovarian malignant tumors in recent years, unfortunately, its 5-year survival rate has not improved significantly, hovering around 30%. It is a general term for ovarian swelling, enlargement and neoplasms.

Ovarian tumors are common gynecological diseases that can occur from young children to the elderly. There are the most types of ovarian tumors, which are divided into physiological and pathological categories. Physiological tumors include follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts. Pathological tumors are divided into biological and non-neoplastic tumors. Non-neoplastic tumors include endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, etc. Neoplasms are divided into benign and malignant, and some are between benign and malignant. Ovarian tumors are usually referred to as neoplasms. According to histological classification, ovarian tumors are divided into 5 categories: ① Epithelial cancer. Occurring in the epithelium of the body cavity during embryonic development, such as serous tumors and myxoma. ② Tumors occurring in germ cells. Such as mature and immature teratomas, some of which are highly malignant. ③ Tumors occurring in the sex cord stroma. Most of them have the function of secreting hormones, such as granulosa cell tumors. ④ Occurring in non-specific stromal tumors. Such as fibromas, leiomyomas, etc. This type of tumor is rare. ⑤ Metastatic tumors. It is metastatic from malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, breast and pelvic organs, such as Krukenberg tumor, which mostly originates from the gastrointestinal tract.

Ovarian malignant tumor is one of the most serious tumors that threaten women's lives, and it is not easy to detect early. There are usually no symptoms in the early stage, and as the tumor grows, there may be slight discomfort such as falling and abdominal distension. Some tumors that produce estrogen can cause menstrual disorders. Many people only seek medical treatment when they feel a mass in the lower abdomen, but at this time the tumor is already large and is mostly in the late stage. Late-stage ovarian cancer is often accompanied by ascites, and the abdomen grows rapidly. Patients feel shortness of breath, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, etc. Complications of ovarian tumors include tumor pedicle torsion, rupture and infection, which can cause acute abdominal pain, fever and even shock and other acute manifestations. Sudden changes in body position and changes in the uterus during pregnancy and delivery can induce tumor torsion. Small ovarian tumors are mainly found by gynecological examinations. The first step in diagnosis is to distinguish between benign, malignant, and physiological. Unilateral cysts with smooth and mobile surfaces are mostly benign; physiological cysts are generally no larger than 5 cm in diameter; bilateral solid or mixed cystic and solid tumors that grow rapidly and have irregular shapes are often malignant and must be differentiated from other pelvic masses such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, adnexitis, and tumors other than reproductive organs. X-rays, B-ultrasound, laparoscopy, etc. can assist in diagnosis.

The main treatment method is surgical resection. Malignant tumors need chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery. Advanced cancer should also try to remove most of the tumor surgically and then undergo chemotherapy. Some patients still have hope of cure. Regular gynecological examinations are required to facilitate early detection and early treatment. Those who have been confirmed to have neoplasms should undergo surgical resection as soon as possible.