ovarian cyst malignant symptoms

Written by Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on November 11, 2024
00:00
00:00

Ovarian cysts can exhibit certain symptoms if they become malignant. The primary symptom is pain in the lower abdomen. Generally, if the ovary undergoes a malignant transformation, the mass will grow larger and create a sensation of swelling and pain. Sometimes in the late stages of ovarian tumors, there can be pain throughout the abdomen, along with signs of cachexia, such as weight loss and decreased immunity after eating, which may suggest the possibility of cancer. In such cases, timely medical examinations are necessary. Typically, a pelvic and abdominal ultrasound can reveal the situation, along with blood tests including changes in certain common tumor markers. If the disease is malignant, the tumor markers in the blood will significantly increase.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
53sec home-news-image

Causes of ovarian cysts

There are several common causes of ovarian cysts. The first is during the ovulation process where the follicle fails to release an egg, resulting in the formation of follicular cysts. The ultrasound typically shows these as simple cysts containing follicular fluid. Another situation is the corpus luteum cyst, which occurs after ovulation when the ovary forms a wound surface and a corpus luteum. Cysts can also develop during the growth of the corpus luteum. These two types of cysts generally disappear after the next menstrual period and are considered physiological cysts that usually require no treatment. However, some cysts result from pathological changes in ovarian cells, or even from tumors. On an ultrasound, these appear differently, often as mixed composition masses, in which case surgical treatment is recommended.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
49sec home-news-image

Symptoms of ovarian cyst rupture

It often manifests as severe pain that feels downward, and if it ruptures, there is obvious intraperitoneal bleeding, along with a sensation of heaviness in the anus. The pain is persistent and intense. If there is significant blood loss in the pelvis, there may also be symptoms of blood loss such as dizziness and fatigue, and other discomforts may occur. For example, there may be complications related to anemia and even symptoms of shock. Once an ovarian cyst ruptures, it requires prompt treatment. First, it is necessary to identify the specific location, as the ovaries are located on the left and right sides. After locating the affected area, timely treatment can be administered. The examination of ovarian cysts often reveals quite noticeable tenderness.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 11sec home-news-image

Are ovarian cysts serious?

Ovarian tissue is very complex in composition. It is the site with the most types of primary tumors among all body organs. Different types of ovarian tumors exhibit significant differences in histological structure and biological behavior. Benign ovarian tumors are typically small, often asymptomatic, and are usually discovered incidentally during gynecological examinations. As cysts grow, one may experience abdominal bloating or feel a mass in the abdomen. During examination, abdominal distention can be observed, the mass is usually mobile, percussion shows a dull sound, and there is no shifting dullness. If the tumor is malignant, there are often no symptoms in the early stages; later stages mainly present with symptoms of abdominal bloating, abdominal masses, and gastrointestinal symptoms. If adhesions occur with surrounding tissues, symptoms of compression, such as abdominal pain, back pain, and leg pain may also appear. Therefore, ovarian tumors should be treated promptly once detected.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
55sec home-news-image

How to check for ovarian cysts?

There are two methods for examining ovarian cysts. Firstly, through a gynecological examination, especially in cases of sexual activity, a bimanual examination can be conducted. Under bimanual examination, a mass in one of the adnexal areas can be palpated, where the nature of the mass such as whether its boundaries are clear can be observed, as well as checking for tenderness. This allows for the examination of ovarian cysts. Another method involves an ultrasound. Generally, if performing an abdominal ultrasound, it is necessary to hold urine to view the ovaries clearly. If performing a vaginal ultrasound, especially in cases of sexual activity, this can be chosen; thus, the ultrasound can provide a clearer view. It is closer to the uterus and ovaries, and thus under ultrasound, the masses in the ovaries can be detected. Therefore, both of these methods are viable.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
34sec home-news-image

Is an adnexal cyst an ovarian cyst?

In clinical terms, the adnexa include the fallopian tubes and ovaries, so an adnexal cyst is not solely an ovarian cyst; rather, ovarian cysts are just one type of adnexal cyst. Adnexal cysts can also include fallopian tube cysts, but in clinical practice, most adnexal cysts are manifestations of ovarian cysts. Therefore, when patients hear the term "adnexal cyst," they should further inquire whether it is an ovarian cyst, instead of simply assuming it to be one.