Ovarian cancer is a familiar disease and a serious malignant tumor that can also show symptoms after onset. We need to conduct timely examination and diagnosis after showing abnormal symptoms.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
1. Pain: Malignant ovarian tumors may cause sustained swelling and pain to a considerable extent due to changes within the tumor, such as bleeding, necrosis, and rapid growth. During the examination, it was found that there was tenderness in the local area.
2. Irregular menstruation: Occasionally seeing irregular uterine bleeding, bleeding after amenorrhea.
3. Slimming: Late stage weight loss.
4. Lower abdominal mass: 75% of malignant ovarian tumors grow on both sides, while only 15% of benign ovarian tumors grow on both sides.
5. Abdominal fluid accumulation: Benign ovarian tumors such as fibroids and papillary cystic adenomas can also be accompanied by abdominal fluid accumulation, but ovarian malignant tumors often combine with abdominal fluid accumulation. When malignant tumor cells pass through the capsule or metastasize to the peritoneum, the peritoneal effusion appears bloody.
6. Cachexia: Patients with prolonged course of disease may experience long-term consumption, loss of appetite, and progressive symptoms of cachexia such as weight loss, weakness, and fatigue.
Ovarian cancer examination
1. Exfoliative cytology examination: This examination method mainly uses the extraction of cells from the exfoliated tissue for diagnostic examination. The location of the extracted cells can be punctured and extracted from the vagina, cervical canal, uterine cavity, and the concave part of the uterus and rectum.
2. Fine needle aspiration absorption method examination: This examination method is generally used for the identification and diagnosis of ovarian cancer, which can be performed when other examinations are difficult to determine. Cell examination can be performed through vaginal, rectal, and abdominal puncture, as well as through superficial lymph nodes such as supraclavicular or inguinal lymph nodes. The examination of retroperitoneal lymph nodes can be guided by fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or CT scanning to improve the accuracy of the puncture site.
3. CT examination: CT examination is a commonly used and important examination method, which can accurately display normal and abnormal anatomical structures of the pelvis, and is of great significance for the qualitative, localization, and tumor segmentation of pelvic masses. It can also be used as a means of postoperative follow-up and follow-up to improve patient survival rate. However, it is difficult to detect some small lesions on CT examination that may lead to missed diagnosis.
4. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP): AFP is a tumor marker test for ovarian cancer, often used to detect changes in the condition during or after treatment. Appropriate treatment methods are used in a timely manner to improve patient survival. Whether AFP increases depends on whether the tumor tissue contains endodermal sinus tumor components. When the tumor relapses or metastasizes, even if there is a micro tumor, AFP will rise again, which is more sensitive than other examination methods.