In the modern world, the most common disease is cancer. This disease is a malignant tumor. The disease is equally affected by men, women and even children. It is worth noting that in most cases, young girls can get cancer. Let's see what ovarian cancer is. The first signs and symptoms will also be considered in this article.
How did cancer come about?
Medicine in the modern world is strong enough, however, none of the existing doctors can accurately determine the causes of the appearance of such a phenomenon as ovarian cancer. Next, we will talk about those root causes that adversely affect a woman’s health and, most likely, according to most modern research scientists, can be causes of a disease such as ovarian cancer.
The symptoms and signs of this terrible disease must be able to recognize, but this is not always possible. Unfortunately, when obvious symptoms appear, the disease is already at a late stage.
The main causes of cancer
Many researchers and specialists in this field have a huge number of questions that relate to the root causes of cancer, but there is no single and correct answer regarding the problems of this issue. Nevertheless, there are some theories and assumptions that reveal the reasons why cancer can appear:
- Change in hormonal levels.
- The presence of a genetic factor.
- Adverse effects of the environment that surrounds us.
- Unrealized reproductive functions or childbirth in adulthood.
- Heredity.
But it is important to remember that cancer can also appear when no one has been ill with cancer in the family. That is, the factor of heredity does not always work. A disease can simply arise under the influence of stress or some other malfunction in the body. Sometimes the whole blame is constant depression or anger. But cancer can be detected in a completely calm woman. Therefore, its appearance remains a mystery.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
How dangerous is ovarian cancer? The first signs and symptoms will be described below.
Unfortunately, modern medicine does not describe reliable symptoms that are characteristic only for ovarian cancer. This is due to the fact that the disease at an early stage perfectly reflects the symptom of another disease, which is not so dangerous.
But the main distinguishing feature of this type of cancer is that after curing the disease with this symptom, it does not disappear, but only progresses. In most cases, cancer is compared with diseases of the digestive tract. But it is worth noting that any symptom of cancer, unlike the symptoms of other diseases, is permanent and cannot disappear.
First signs
Consider the main signs of ovarian cancer in women. The first symptoms may be:
- Feeling of overeating, bloating.
- Intense urination.
- Pain in the pelvic area.
- Vomiting and nausea.
- Weight gain, especially around the waist.
- Accumulation of fluid in the pelvic area.
This is how ovarian cancer can manifest in the early stages. The first signs and symptoms do not differ much from the symptoms of other diseases.
What else happens with cancer?
In most cases, in the later stages of this disease, women may experience intense and periodic pain in the pelvic area, and there may be a sensation of bloating. It should be noted that the most basic symptoms of ovarian cancer are the appearance of blood clots, which can only be detected with special studies. Other symptoms may be present, such as swelling of the legs or constipation.
There are especially complex cases (for example, a rupture of a tumor), which are characterized by severe pain. Nausea may appear. It is very important to detect these diseases in time. Urgent surgery may be required. These are the first signs and symptoms of the disease “ovarian cancer”.
What other signs of this type of cancer exist?
Ovarian cancer can be diagnosed only at a late stage of tumor processes, which is why statistics record huge mortality rates for these pathologies. That is why doctors recommend that women respect their own health.
It is worth noting the fact that very often any early symptom of the presence of cancer cells in the body can easily be mistaken for another disease, which is why cancer has no specific differences. The main signs of the presence of ovarian cancer cells include apathy, weakness, and constant malaise.
Often this is how ovarian cancer manifests itself. Symptoms and signs are generally absent in the first stages. Most women do not attach enough importance to malaise and do not seek help from specialists. This is a serious mistake, because oncology will only progress. It is best to treat the disease at an early stage, if the process is started, it can become incurable.
Characterization of the stages of ovarian cancer
We examined a disease such as ovarian cancer. Symptoms and signs, treatment, prognosis are completely dependent on the stage of the disease.
Many specialists in this field determine several stages of the development of oncology. In the first stage, cancer of the ovaries occurs. Two organs can be affected, and only one of them. In the second stage of oncology, a distinctive feature is the defeat of neighboring organs, for example, the uterus. In the third stage of the disease, the lymphatic system is affected. And at the very last stage, the fourth, the cure of oncology becomes very difficult, and sometimes simply impossible, since malignant tumors spread metastases throughout the body.
What is the treatment for oncology?
It is important to identify in time with a disease such as ovarian cancer, symptoms and signs. The prognosis of doctors will depend entirely on this.
The specific treatment depends on the stages of ovarian cancer. Doctors can develop the necessary treatment measures or, in the presence of difficult situations, methods to slow the spread of the disease. The main methods for treating ovarian cancer include the following.
Surgical intervention
In the early stage of cancer, it becomes possible to destroy the source of the tumor. Moreover, it is possible to remove the source by excising only cancer cells, or it will be necessary to completely remove the organ affected by the disease.
The use of chemotherapy
This method of therapy is the most common, but, unfortunately, not so effective. A feature of this method is the sensitivity of a cancer cell to the systematic effects of a chemical substance. It is worth noting that in this case, not only cancerous, but also healthy cells of the body die.
The use of radiation therapyIt should be noted that this technique is applied only in cases where the previous technique is not suitable for patients. The reasons for this may be:
- heat;
- weight loss;
- the presence of anemia.
The first positive signs can appear only after a long use of this technique. Here is such a serious disease - ovarian cancer. Symptoms, stages, treatment are interconnected.
Appeal to immunotherapy
This technique consists in stimulating healthy cells so that they can resist the diseased. In most cases, it is used together with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Use of the palliative technique
This technique is used only in the last stages of ovarian cancer, if other methods have not yielded a positive result. This method is characterized by the provision of a large amount of pain medication to patients. A person is not cured, he simply does not feel pain. Unfortunately, in this case a fatal outcome is inevitable.
Therefore, it is worth taking the diagnosis of ovarian cancer seriously. Symptoms and early signs are best recognized at an early stage of the disease.
What is the procedure for determining tumors?
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer cells is quite a challenge. It must be remembered that in cases where the symptoms of the tumor are not pronounced, the presence of cancer can be detected only with regular gynecological examinations.
In order to identify oncology, thorough gynecological examinations are performed, but it is worth noting that in the presence of small tumors it is impossible to identify them in this way. An ultrasound examination of the pelvis is also performed. This procedure is carried out using special devices for external and internal research. X-ray diagnostics is also effective. Histological examination of tumor tissue is a mandatory measure.
Are ovarian cancer preventative measures in place?
We examined in detail everything related to the disease “ovarian cancer” (symptoms and signs, prognosis of doctors). Next, you need to understand cancer prevention methods.
You must always remember that preventive measures to prevent cancer cells in the ovaries are regular and thorough examinations of gynecologists, as well as ultrasound diagnostics. But these are not all preventative measures. Be sure to lead a healthy lifestyle, gradually get rid of bad habits.
Experts recommend that their patients monitor their diet. You need to devote more time to walks in the fresh air. And if sexually transmitted infections are detected, they should be cured in a timely manner. You also need to remember that prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation is harmful to health. Adhering to just such recommendations, a person significantly reduces the risk of oncology.
In addition, it is important to know the main symptoms of ovarian cancer in women. Signs may appear to a greater or lesser extent. But at the slightest suspicion of an illness, it is urgent to contact specialists.
Conclusion
Even with a complete cure for cancer, this disease may reappear. In order to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations and examinations. There are such cases when a person seems to have overcome the disease, but his body has weakened, and he is unable to live on.
Today, cancer is a complex and dangerous disease that can affect any person. Very often, women who have a family member have this disease are at risk. That is why, in order to prevent undesirable consequences, it is worthwhile to respect your own health and take care of it. We figured out what ovarian cancer is, what are the first signs and symptoms.