What should be noted about having intercourse after ovarian cancer surgery?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on December 15, 2024
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Patients with ovarian cancer can have sexual intercourse after radical surgery or palliative surgery, but there are several precautions to consider: Firstly, it is not advisable to have sexual intercourse too soon after surgery, as early intercourse may lead to poor healing of the surgical site, or cause infections, which are detrimental to the patient's recovery. It is generally recommended to schedule sexual intercourse one or two months after ovarian cancer surgery, and some patients are advised to wait three months. After three months, most patients' physical conditions improve and the incisions heal. In such cases, the likelihood of infection from intercourse is low. Moreover, the frequency of sexual intercourse should not be too frequent or excessive, as it may impact the patient's physical strength or lead to concurrent infections. Furthermore, patients should practice contraception during intercourse after surgery, as pregnancy is not advisable for patients who have undergone radical or palliative surgery for ovarian cancer, since pregnancy can exacerbate the development of the disease.

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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 Zhou Chen
Oncology
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How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Early screening for ovarian cancer allows for about 20% of cases to be diagnosed in their early stages. Detection generally follows these procedures: 1. Routine gynecological health check-ups. 2. Visiting a hospital due to certain symptoms. 3. Ovarian cancer screening. Common methods include transvaginal ultrasound and serum CA125 testing. Additional tests include tumor marker CA125 and checks for AFP, CA19-9, and CEA. Ultrasonography (B-ultrasound) can preliminarily determine the tumor size, shape, solidity, location, and its relation to surrounding organs. CT scans and MRI can further clarify the tumor's nature and the extent of invasion into the abdominal and pelvic organs. If necessary, gastroscopy can be performed to rule out primary gastrointestinal tumors, and if economic conditions allow, a PADCT scan can also be conducted.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Patients with ovarian cancer often do not exhibit many symptoms in the early stages, and many do not have obvious symptoms initially. Some patients may experience pelvic pain due to tumor growth early on, primarily located in the bilateral pelvic area, with some experiencing pain that radiates to the perineal area. Some early-stage ovarian cancer patients may experience abnormalities in their menstrual cycle, primarily manifested as irregular menstruation, increased menstrual flow, and the presence of blood clots. Some patients may also experience abnormal vaginal bleeding outside of their menstrual period. In addition, some patients in the early stages may exhibit signs of abnormal hormone secretion. Aside from these, most early-stage ovarian cancer patients do not show obvious symptoms.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Some early symptoms of ovarian cancer patients include a lump in the abdomen that can be felt during gynecological examination or by the patients themselves. In advanced ovarian cancer, as the tumor progressively enlarges, there may be symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Moreover, the tumor may compress other organs in the pelvic cavity, causing symptoms such as a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen or even constipation. Additionally, many patients with ovarian cancer may develop significant ascites, which can also cause abdominal distension, decreased appetite, and even nausea and vomiting, along with other gastrointestinal symptoms.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Is ovarian cancer hereditary?

The onset of ovarian cancer may be somewhat related to family history or genetic factors. Therefore, patients with a family history of ovarian cancer may have a higher risk of developing the disease compared to the general population. However, this doesn't mean that a patient with ovarian cancer will definitely pass the condition to their offspring; it merely indicates a certain level of heredity. Furthermore, for those with a family history of breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer, it is crucial for their descendants to undergo enhanced screenings for ovarian cancer and these diseases, as their risk of developing these conditions may be higher than that of the average person.