Oncology rarely affects the abdominal cavity. Cells often begin to divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor in the mammary glands in women. Often there is basal cell skin varnish, which is more characteristic of elderly patients. This form of oncology is relatively easy to treat and proceeds favorably in most cases.
As for secondary abdominal cancer, it is more often diagnosed in women who have previously had ovarian cancer, and the primary is usually caused by diabetes, hormonal disorders, autoimmune pathologies and obesity.
Causes
The causes of cancer are still unknown. Oncology is diagnosed in the elderly. In men, malignant neoplasms appear less frequently than in women. Among the possible causes of the disease can be listed:
- ovarian cancer (epithelial cells of organs are similar, which leads to the development of pathology);
- the spread of cancer cells by hematogenous, implantation or lymphogenous route into the peritoneum;
- severe dysplasia (doctors consider this condition to be precancerous);
- poor genetics (cells can be in the body from birth, and under the influence of some factors will begin to actively divide).
It is believed that cell mutation causes chronic stress and a generally unhealthy lifestyle. This is not confirmed by laboratory or other medical studies, but in general it is useful to protect yourself from stress, normalize nutrition and engage in motor activity, so you should not refuse such preventive measures.
Types of cancer
The peritoneum secretes a certain amount of fluid so that the internal organs do not stick together. Primary cancer (this is an extremely rare pathology) usually begins to develop in the lower lining of the ovaries. Ovarian cancer provokes the onset of pathology in the peritoneum.
Peritoneal mesothelioma may develop. Abnormal cells appear that later provoke cancer in the fluid in the abdominal cavity. In this case, a predisposing factor is unfavorable heredity, viral disease or radiation.
Mesothelioma may be localized or diffuse. In the first case, the tumor is a node from the sheet of the peritoneum, and in the second it affects the entire surface of the abdominal cavity.
Stages
The stages of abdominal cancer are differentiated depending on the area of distribution of the pathology and the size of the neoplasm. If the disease is limited to the ovaries, then it proceeds without symptoms. Then the cancer goes beyond the ovaries (second stage), but remains within the pelvis. This stage is also not manifested by any alarming symptoms.
In the third stage, the pathology spreads to the inner layer of the peritoneum. Symptoms of abdominal cancer may appear. Then oncology goes to nearby organs. The patient feels all manifestations of oncology, complications appear, which lead to premature death.
Symptoms
In the initial stages, peritoneal cancer does not show any symptoms. When a malignant neoplasm reaches a size of about 5 cm, a clear clinical picture is formed.
Patients complain of abdominal pain because there are many nerve endings in the abdominal cavity. Oncology affects the nerve endings, causing discomfort and pain of varying intensity. The abdomen increases in volume due to the growth of the tumor, and fluid can accumulate in the peritoneum.
Serious complications are swelling of the abdomen, lower limbs and genital area. Weight gain occurs quickly, and a constant feeling of fullness is associated with intestinal obstruction. The patient may have nausea and vomiting. Food with peritoneal cancer does not digest normally, but remains in the peritoneum. In some cases, it causes severe intoxication.
Sarcoma is characterized by weight loss. The patient may lose up to 10 kg within two to three months. This symptom applies to any malignant processes. There is a feeling of constant fatigue, which is associated with a violation of the liver and central nervous system. It also leads to drowsiness. Another characteristic symptom is intestinal obstruction. This can lead to the death of the patient if surgery is not performed on time.
Complications
Abdominal cancer is extremely life-threatening. A disease can be detected when significant damage has already been done to health. The patient may experience complications from the digestive and respiratory systems, heart and blood vessels, kidneys, and so on. Cancer metastases in the abdominal cavity appear that affect neighboring organs.
Often there are symptoms of heart failure. With metastatic damage to the lymph nodes, the heart moves from the anatomical position. Cancer can interfere with normal breathing; fluid may accumulate in the lungs. Metastasizes abdominal cancer in the intestines, disrupting its work. The patient is disturbed by metabolic processes, which leads to exhaustion, anorexia, anemia.
Also, the patient’s body is constantly poisoned by substances formed during the decay of a malignant tumor. Intoxication occurs. This leads to fever, weakness, drowsiness, and increased blood pressure. There may be pains in the spine that appear when the tumor reaches a large size.
Diagnostics
If cancer is suspected, a full range of diagnostic procedures is performed. Inspection allows you to note a seal in the abdominal cavity, but this method will reveal oncology already at the final stages. On ultrasound, the specialist will see the peritoneum from the inside. The study allows you to establish a primary diagnosis.
Cytological analysis is performed with a clear increase in the volume of the abdomen. Laparoscopy allows you to examine the ovaries and adjacent tissues. During the operation, the patient is under general anesthesia. During laparoscopy, doctors take a sample to send for examination to determine abnormal cells. This method determines the final diagnosis.
Therapy
With abdominal cancer, surgical excision of the tumor may be indicated. During abdominal surgery, foci of the disease, including metastases, are removed. Radiation therapy is prescribed in combination with surgery. The course is conducted both before and after the intervention.
Chemotherapy is part of the comprehensive treatment. During immunotherapy, special drugs are introduced into the patient's body that activate the protective properties. The abdominal cavity is also treated with a special solution. This is a very complicated procedure, so the doctor must be truly a specialist.
Folk remedies
It is unacceptable to treat oncology with folk remedies. The issue of the use of tinctures and decoctions on a plant basis is relevant only as a supplement to medical and other treatment. It is possible to use alternative methods for oncology complications, but only after consulting a doctor. In this case, the therapeutic effect is based on an increase in the urinary properties of the patient's body.
Danger
Oncological damage to the peritoneum is dangerous for the patient with cancerous spread to the nearest organs. As a result of this, relapses often occur that are difficult to treat. Metastases in the lymph nodes, brain and bone marrow, liver can form. Cancer threatens the development of heart and respiratory failure, which can lead to the death of the patient. Cancer intoxication of the body is of great danger.
Forecast
Abdominal cancer has a favorable prognosis if the disease was detected in the first or second stage. In this case, it is possible to achieve a survival rate of 80%. But, unfortunately, treatment is most often prescribed already in the last stages, because it is very difficult to identify the pathology earlier. With adequate therapy, the patient recovers, but the relapse process is still very large.
In case of relapse, the chance of recovery is extremely small. If all methods of therapy do not bring results, then the patient has to live a maximum of 15 months. Without treatment, the patient dies from oncology complications within a year.