How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on December 03, 2024
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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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What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is one of the common gynecological malignancies in women. In the early stages, symptoms are not common and are not severe. The typical symptoms mainly manifest as pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen, and some patients may feel bloating in the lower abdomen. Some patients experience an increase in vaginal discharge, some have vaginal drainage or abnormal vaginal bleeding, and others may observe abnormal changes in their menstrual cycle, such as prolonged periods or increased menstrual flow, while some may experience reduced menstruation. Besides these, there are no other symptoms in early-stage ovarian cancer patients. As the disease progresses, the patient's abdominal pain and bloating will significantly worsen, indicating that the disease has advanced to the middle or late stages.

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Ovarian cancer is not contagious.

Ovarian cancer is not contagious and is not considered a communicable disease, so rest assured, it is not transmissible. Therefore, if there is a patient with ovarian cancer in the family, there is no need to worry about it spreading to others. However, ovarian cancer is more susceptible in populations with a family history of the disease, so if there is a history of ovarian cancer in the family, there is a tendency for it to occur. Additionally, there are many factors that contribute to the cause of ovarian cancer, such as toxin exposure, certain viral infections in everyday life, and lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking, which also play a role. Age is also a significant factor, as the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer increases with age. Patients with ovarian cancer, due to some hereditary genetic factors in their families, should pay special attention and be more vigilant about getting regular medical check-ups if there is a family history.

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How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Ultrasound or CT scans detecting ovarian masses, in combination with biopsy or cytological examination that identify cancer cells, can diagnose ovarian cancer. A common method of biopsy includes ultrasound-guided procedures or transvaginal cul-de-sac puncture biopsy of ovarian masses, enabling clear pathological confirmation. Additionally, exploratory laparotomy or early radical surgery for ovarian cancer patients can yield a postoperative pathological diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Moreover, the presence of ascites is a common symptom in ovarian cancer patients; finding cancer cells, especially adenocarcinoma, in ascites, coupled with significantly elevated tumor marker CA125, or ultrasound or CT imagery revealing ovarian masses, can also diagnose ovarian cancer.

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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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Is ovarian cancer prone to metastasis?

Ovarian cancer relatively tends to metastasize more easily, and clinically, it is often found at a later stage in most patients. The main pathway of metastasis of ovarian cancer is implantation metastasis, where the tumor can breach the capsule and extensively implant in the pelvic or abdominal cavity. Another pathway is local spread, where it can spread to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other tissues within the pelvic cavity. Additionally, ovarian cancer can also spread to distant organs throughout the body via the lymphatic system or through hematogenous dissemination.