Early treatment methods for ovarian cancer

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 05, 2024
00:00
00:00

The treatment methods for early-stage ovarian cancer should first and foremost include a clear diagnosis and staging. If the staging indicates an early stage, then surgical treatment can be applied. There are many surgical options available, such as cytoreductive surgery, interval debulking surgery, second-look laparotomy, and direct tumor cell reduction surgery. After the surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy can be administered for treatment.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
1min 12sec home-news-image

How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Ovarian cancer is discovered through transvaginal ultrasound of the adnexa uteri revealing ovarian tumors, or through imaging studies such as abdominal CT scans or MRIs showing ovarian tumors, combined with tumor markers, particularly the ovarian epithelial cancer tumor marker CA125, which will be significantly elevated. Generally, with these findings, ovarian cancer can typically be clinically diagnosed. Confirmation, however, requires pathological diagnosis, which involves obtaining a biopsy of the tumor. This can be done through a puncture biopsy or through pathological examination after surgical excision to confirm ovarian cancer. Additionally, some patients with ovarian cancer present with substantial ascites at the time of discovery. If cancer cells are found in the abdominal fluid, combined with a significant increase in CA125 and imaging studies showing ovarian tumors, ovarian cancer can also be diagnosed.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
47sec home-news-image

How long can one live after ovarian cancer recurrence?

If ovarian cancer patients experience a recurrence after surgery and it is a simple local pelvic recurrence without distant organ metastasis, the treatment method involves evaluating whether another surgical resection can be performed by a gynecologist. However, if there is a recurrence combined with extensive pelvic metastasis, or metastasis to multiple organs, the treatment mainly involves chemotherapy. Therefore, how long a patient can live after ovarian cancer recurrence depends on the severity of the recurrence, the patient's physical condition, and the sensitivity to treatment, among other factors. Thus, it cannot be generalized as there is significant individual variation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
43sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms and early signs of ovarian cancer?

The symptoms and early signs of ovarian cancer mainly include the following aspects. Patients may experience persistent lower abdominal pain for no apparent reason, and some patients may experience radiating pain in the vulvar area, while others may show early clinical signs of abdominal bloating. The symptoms and early signs of ovarian cancer are not very numerous. Some patients may exhibit menstrual irregularities, such as increased or decreased menstruation, prolonged periods, or irregular vaginal bleeding. A few patients may experience abnormal vaginal discharge, which can be mixed with an unusual odor and a small amount of blood.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
1min home-news-image

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer patients, especially those in the early stages, typically have inconspicuous symptoms, possibly without any noticeable discomfort. The disease is often discovered during gynecological examinations through the detection of abdominal masses. In advanced-stage patients, as the abdominal mass progressively enlarges, symptoms may include abdominal pain, lower abdominal bloating, and pelvic pressure symptoms due to compression of nearby organs. There may be partial intestinal obstruction, presenting as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and inability to pass stool or gas. Another symptom is ascites, characterized by progressive enlargement and bloating of the abdomen. Ascites is a common clinical manifestation in ovarian cancer patients, and a significant portion of patients are diagnosed with ovarian cancer after presenting with ascites as the initial symptom.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
56sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer recurrence?

Symptoms of recurrent ovarian cancer include: First, vaginal bleeding, which is a manifestation of the tumor invading the uterus, cervix, or vagina. Second, abdominal bloating and pain, which indicate tumor spread to the abdominal cavity. Physical examination can reveal abdominal masses, ascites, and even intestinal obstruction. Third, there are symptoms such as stomach discomfort and indigestion related to the digestive tract. There might also be metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes, which can be palpated in the neck. Fourth, some late-stage patients may experience discomfort and heaviness in the lower abdomen, and even symptoms related to the urinary system such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination.