Early treatment methods for ovarian cancer

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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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.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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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.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Ovarian cancer pain symptoms

In the early stages of ovarian cancer, the symptoms can be quite hidden, and the patient may not feel any discomfort at all. However, as the tumor grows and ascites develops, the patient typically may experience abdominal bloating, or a palpable mass may be felt in the pelvic or lower abdominal area. At this point, symptoms such as pain in the lower abdomen may occur, especially when there is a substantial amount of ascites, leading to clinical symptoms like abdominal bloating and pain. In even more advanced stages of ovarian cancer, the tumor may invade surrounding pelvic organs, potentially causing partial intestinal obstruction or symptoms of pelvic compression. With conditions like intestinal obstruction, there will be significant abdominal pain, possibly accompanied by vomiting, especially after eating, which can exacerbate the symptoms.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Early treatment methods for ovarian cancer

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.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
56sec home-news-image

How long can one live with ovarian cancer?

The lifespan of ovarian cancer patients depends on several factors including the specific stage of the cancer, the patient's sensitivity and response to treatment, and the overall health of the patient, leading to significant individual variability. The cancer is typically classified into stages from one to four, with stage one being the earliest and stage four being the most advanced. Generally, patients diagnosed at an earlier stage tend to have a better prognosis and a greater chance of survival compared to those with advanced ovarian cancer. Additionally, patients in advanced stages who respond well to treatments like chemotherapy typically have a better prognosis and longer survival times compared to those who are less responsive to such treatments. Hence, it is impossible to generalize as the individual differences are substantial.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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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.