Early Warning Signs Of Ovarian Cancer

The ovaries are two organs, one located on each side of the uterus, that produce eggs. Ovarian cancer begins in one or both ovaries in the epithelial, germ, or stromal cells. The epithelial cells comprise the outer layer of the ovaries, the stromal cells make up each ovary’s structure, and germ cells turn into egg cells. Ovarian cancer develops as a result of a genetic mutation in the cells that cause them to divide and grow at abnormally fast rates. Certain genetic variations elevate a woman’s risk of getting ovarian cancer.

Treatment for ovarian cancer is fairly similar to other forms of cancer. Patients will discuss precise strategies with their doctor, but general options include radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy for ovarian cancer. They will also take different medications as part of their ovarian cancer treatment. This is especially the case with medication for ovarian cancer treatment side effects. Of course, it is important to identify the symptoms of ovarian cancer first.

Pain In The Pelvis

Just about every type of cancer will cause patients to experience pain. In the case of ovarian cancer, women will often be dealing with pain in their pelvis. This discomfort can occur for several reasons, based on how a woman’s cancer is progressing. First, ovarian cancer can spread to the uterus and other tissues nearby. This makes the muscles in the uterus contract when they shouldn’t, triggering cramp-like pain.

Ovarian cancer may also spread to bowel tissues, and this often damages the intestines and reduces the large intestine’s function. Patients can then experience pelvic pain due to this damage. In addition to this, ovarian cancer can spread to the bladder, which would cause inflammation as well as the bladder muscles to contract when they shouldn’t. Once again, this triggers pain in the pelvis. Ascites may also trigger pain in the pelvic region because of organs in this area experiencing compression.

Get the details on ovarian cancer warning signs linked to the bowels next.

Constipation And Diarrhea

The location of the ovaries makes it quite easy for ovarian cancer to spread to the bowels. If it does spread to the bowels, the intestines will experience damage and inflammation. Overall, there will be an impairment in bowel function. This means patients can experience diarrhea or constipation. Diarrhea can happen if ovarian cancer damages the large intestine lining. This lining is what absorbs fluid from the stool, and when it doesn’t do this properly, the fluid is left there and women deal with diarrhea.

Alternatively, ovarian cancer that invades the bowels can obstruct the colon. This obstruction can either be partial or complete. Either way, a colon obstruction forces stool to remain in the large intestine for too long. When stool stays here, more fluid is absorbed from it. Absorbing too much causes constipation, making bowel movements more difficult to pass.

Find out how ovarian cancer can influence a woman’s appetite next.

Getting Full Faster

The ovaries are located in the lower abdomen. Thus, the cancerous cells that are dividing and growing are here as well. These cells will take up space in the abdomen that the woman’s intestines and other organs require. This triggers abdominal organ compression. Normally, the stomach and intestines get bigger to take the food consumed into account before digestion begins.

When ovarian cancer takes hold, the compression of the abdomen limits how much these organs can expand since space is no longer available. Thus, women will start feeling discomfort faster when they eat food. This mimics the feeling of being full, since it’s unlikely that they can ingest much more.

Learn more about the early warning signs of ovarian cancer now.

Abdominal Swelling And Bloating

Women with ovarian cancer can see a swollen abdomen as a symptom. This is because of bloating, which includes the stomach feeling tight or full. Healthy individuals experience bloating when they eat certain foods or when they are retaining water. One of the symptoms related to a woman’s menstrual cycle is bloating too. Thus, bloating is common and it may not indicate ovarian cancer.

However, it is vital to note bloating due to ovarian cancer is persistent. It is also due to too much fluid building up in the abdomen, which in this case is a condition called ascites. This occurs because of cancerous cells spreading to the lining of the abdomen. It may also be the result of ovarian cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes, compromising their ability to get rid of excess fluid from tissues.

Uncover how ovarian cancer impacts a woman’s weight next.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Weight loss is the result of individuals burning more calories than they are consuming. Their balance of energy is negative. When the body runs out of calories for energy, it will start to use fat stores on the body. The more the fat stores are used, the more mass the individual will lose. Women with ovarian cancer can deal with unexplained weight loss for several reasons due to their condition. The first is if they are feeling full faster because of the compression of their abominable organs. This compression means they are going to be eating less food. Over time, eating fewer calories is what causes their energy balance to be negative.

Additionally, the cancerous cells in ovarian cancer patients grow and divide rapidly. Rapid growth and division of cancerous cells require a lot more energy than healthy cells. Thus, the cancerous cells take up more of the limited calories being consumed. This leaves the healthy cells and rest of the body’s functions the fat stores to feed off for energy. Once again, the patient will likely display significant but unexplained weight loss.