Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is actually extremely difficult. The reason is that the complaints are usually not obvious. Abdominal pain, bloating and indigestion are early symptoms of cancer. As this stage progresses, non-specific complaints such as pressure symptoms related to the organs in the stage, abdominal pain, a mass in the pelvis and a feeling of downward pressure, and vaginal bleeding are present. In this case, the biggest reason for the patient to go to the doctor is the very high level of abdominal swelling. The cause of abdominal swelling is generally fluid accumulation in the abdomen, that is, acid. Women's Health and Diseases Specialist Op. Dr. Volkan Aksakallı gave information about the subject.
Ovarian cancer is generally not taken into consideration by patients because it causes vague and temporary complaints in its newly formed stages. Later, as the tumor grows and puts pressure on the large intestine, complaints such as constipation or diarrhea occur. Severe pain in the abdomen and other disturbing problems such as abdominal bloating, feeling of fullness, nausea, vomiting, gas, and leg pain are also observed. Ovarian cancer may not be diagnosed during a regular gynecological examination, but an enlarged ovary may attract the doctor's attention. CA125, a protein produced by ovarian cancer cells, can only be checked with a blood test, and levels higher than normal indicate an ovarian tumor. In addition, it may be possible to detect abnormal findings in the ovaries with ultrasound or tomography examinations performed through the vagina or abdomen. But the only way to fully diagnose ovarian cancer is a biopsy. It is not a rule that every cyst will become cancer. If the patient suspects cancer during imaging, it is opened by operation and the entire suspected mass is removed as large as possible and sent for pathological examination. It is done by pathologically examining the sample taken from the tumor with a microscope.
To summarize:
1-Ca-125 test performed by taking blood can provide early diagnosis. Women with a family history of ovarian, breast or bowel cancer should have their Ca-125 values checked annually or at least every six months. This will be a big step towards early diagnosis. It has also been shown that there is no benefit for women who do not have a family risk to have this examination done at regular intervals.
2-Early diagnosis can be made by ultrasonography examination performed during annual and gynecological examinations.
How is the diagnosis made? ?
First, everything is listened to in detail, and then the gynecological examination is very important. At the same time, the ovaries are examined in detail with an "ultrasound" examination. Additionally, a substance called CA-125 is checked in the blood as an indicator of ovarian cancer. However, this substance also increases the risk of some diseases of the ovary.
During examinations, detecting a mass in the pelvic area, mostly in menopausal women, suggests ovarian cancer. The most important aid in the diagnosis of ultrasonography is definitely the test, here is a bilateral ovarian mass, if there is a mass larger than 8 cm and this mass, masses with solid areas inside are not mobile during examination, this supports the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
In this cancer, The primary step in the diagnosis of all ovarian tumors, including cysts, is the gynecological examination of the genital organs. During the examination, it is examined whether the ovaries are larger than normal and whether there is any abnormality around the ovaries. The second step after the examination is to perform an ultrasonography examination.
Some blood tests also play a major role in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Here tumor markers appear. Some of the tumor markers associated with ovarian cancer; They are CA 125, Ca 19-9, CA 15-3, CEA, AFP and HCG. These substances investigated in the blood provide additional information about whether the tumor detected in the ovary is cancer or not. But even though there is no tumor or cyst in the ovaries, it is not right to look for markers in the blood.
Cysts usually form in the ovaries. Some of the cysts that form are called functional cysts that heal on their own and there is no need for surgery to get rid of them. However, contrary to popular belief, these cysts are malignant or may be malignant. If this is the case, these patients should be operated on by gynecologists and obstetricians who deal with cancer and specialize in gynecological oncology and the problem should be resolved. If not, incomplete surgeries will be performed and the patient will have to undergo surgery all over again. Ultrasound and tumor markers are used together in the preoperative diagnosis of these diseases. When these tests are used correctly, there is almost no misdiagnosis and there is no need for other diagnostic methods such as MRI.
To summarize, in general, there are many factors that affect the response of the disease to treatment in ovarian cancer. The most important of these factors and the one that has a significant impact on the outcome is that the first surgery is sufficient. In advanced stages of ovarian cancer, the largest tumor diameter remaining in the abdomen after surgery must be less than 1 cm. This is the most important factor affecting prognosis. In addition, the stage of the disease also affects its response to treatment.
Imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MRI) and ultrasound are radiological examinations used to determine whether there is a mass in the groin. However, these methods cannot definitively distinguish whether the mass is malignant or benign. Definitive diagnosis is made by examining samples taken from suspicious tissue, called biopsy, under a microscope.
Computed tomography (CT): It is a method in which a type of X-ray rotates around the human body and takes images from different angles. These images are combined using a computer to create a detailed image of the inside of the body. During imaging, details are displayed in more detail using a type of contrast material.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Using a magnetic field and a computer, it gives more detailed pictures of the inside of the body.Magnetic resonance imaging method.
Ultrasonography: It is performed by reflecting the image obtained from the sound waves emitted from a device called a probe, from the ovaries or other organs, on the screen via a computer. The solid of the structure in mass formations It is a system that distinguishes whether the ovaries have a fluid-filled cystic structure or not. Since it is highly preferred, it is also known as the most frequently used imaging method.
Color Doppler flow: With this method, it shows whether the ovaries have blood supply through the vessels. In ovarian cancers, blood flow in the ovaries generally increases. However, in some benign diseases, blood flow in the ovaries may increase relatively.
In addition to all these, the patient's age, general condition and the so-called grade of the tumor can seriously affect the patient's response to treatment. This means that the younger the patient is and the better his general health condition is during treatment, the better the results.
Read: 0
