What is an ovarian tumor?

Ovarian tumor is a tumor disease with a very high incidence rate to date, and the incidence rate of ovarian tumor in women in each region is different. When a woman develops an ovarian tumor, she must go to the hospital for a comprehensive examination in time. Only by cooperating with the doctor's treatment can the ovarian tumor be cured. However, most women are not very clear about what ovarian tumors specifically refer to. Today’s article will explain the knowledge about ovarian tumors to you.

Causes of ovarian tumors

1. Environmental factors

Women in industrialized countries have a higher incidence of ovarian cancer, which may be caused by high cholesterol in their diet. In addition, ionizing radiation and talcum powder can also affect oocyte cancer and increase the risk of ovarian tumors. Frequent smoking and lack of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E can also increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

2. Endocrine factors

Ovarian tumors generally occur in women who are not married or have children. Pregnancy has a certain counteracting effect on ovarian tumors. Ovarian tumors may be complications of breast cancer and endometrial cancer, all of which are somewhat dependent on estrogen.

3. Genetic and family factors

Ovarian tumors are hereditary to a certain extent, and about 20% of ovarian tumor patients have a direct relative suffering from ovarian tumors.

Symptoms of ovarian tumors

1. Lower abdominal discomfort

Women with ovarian tumors will feel discomfort in the lower abdomen, which is the initial symptom before the patient feels a lump in the lower abdomen. Affected by the weight of the tumor itself, intestinal peristalsis, and changes in body position, the movement of the tumor in the pelvic cavity involves its pedicle and pelvic infundibulum ligament, causing a feeling of falling and fullness in the lower abdomen or iliac fossa of female patients. Symptoms of lower abdominal discomfort are easily underestimated by female friends in the early stages, or mistaken for other diseases, resulting in delayed treatment.

2. Premenstrual abdominal pain

Patients with ovarian tumors may experience premenstrual abdominal pain, which is acute and often occurs suddenly. It is usually caused by torsion of the tumor pedicle, or tumor rupture, bleeding or infection. Many women treat premenstrual abdominal pain as dysmenorrhea or premenstrual syndrome, taking painkillers or enduring it on their own. If the pain is severe or lasts for a long time, you should go to a regular hospital for treatment in time.

3. Menstrual disorders

Generally speaking, ovarian tumors, even bilateral ovarian tumors, do not destroy all normal ovarian tissue and therefore most likely will not cause menstrual disorders. Some patients have uterine bleeding because ovarian tumors change the pelvic blood vessel distribution, causing endometrial congestion, while others have uterine bleeding because ovarian malignant tumors directly metastasize to the endometrium. If the menstrual disorder is caused by an endocrine tumor, it is often affected by other secretions.

4. Compression symptoms

If you have an ovarian tumor, you will generally experience compression symptoms. Because ovarian tumors are large, they compress the diaphragm and cause difficulty breathing or palpitations. If the ovarian tumor is combined with a large amount of ascites, this symptom will also occur. Some patients with ovarian tumors experience difficulty breathing, which is mostly caused by unilateral or bilateral pleural effusion, often accompanied by ascites.

5. Increased abdominal circumference and a sense of mass in the abdomen

Many patients with ovarian tumors will experience an increase in waist circumference and a feeling of mass in the abdomen. This symptom is very common. Patients will notice that their waist is enlarged, their belt is tight, or they may feel a swelling when pressing on their abdomen and feel bloated and uncomfortable.

Finally, although the occurrence of ovarian tumors cannot be prevented at present, early detection of ovarian tumors and timely and appropriate treatment are of great significance for preventing their growth, degeneration, complications and preserving ovarian function. Regular screening and treatment of women's diseases is the best measure to prevent the development of ovarian tumors in a timely manner. Women over 30 years old should have a gynecological examination every year, and high-risk groups should have a check-up every six months to rule out ovarian tumors. It would be even better if combined with B-type ultrasound examination, CA125, AFP testing, etc.