Malignant ovarian cysts are a dangerous disease that can be life-threatening if not detected and treated promptly. However, the symptoms of the disease are very faint and are often confused with other health conditions. So how to correctly identify the symptoms of malignant ovarian cysts in the early stages?
What are malignant ovarian cysts?
The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. This is where eggs are produced as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Malignant ovarian cysts (or ovarian cancer) are abnormal cells that develop into malignant tumors that invade and destroy tissue in one or both ovaries.
Types of ovarian malignancies include:
- Ovarian carcinoma: Cancer cells develop from cells present on the surface of the ovary. This is the most common type of malignant ovarian tumor.
- Germ cell cancer, sex cord stromal tumor: A form of cancer that develops from other cells of the ovary.
Why do ovarian cysts occur?
Anyone who is a woman of reproductive age can get malignant ovarian cysts. Among them, there are subjects at high risk due to the following reasons:
- Hereditary
- Have ever been treated for breast cancer or bowel cancer
- Have diabetes or endometriosis
- Early puberty or late menopause and have never given birth
- Are using hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Overweight, obese
- Smoking.
6 symptoms of malignant ovarian cysts that are easy to confuse
Identify symptoms of malignant ovarian cysts. This makes it difficult to detect and treat the disease in its early stages. Therefore, as soon as you notice the following signs in your body, quickly go to the hospital to be diagnosed whether they are a sign of malignant ovarian cysts or not.
1. Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is vaginal bleeding that is not related to the menstrual cycle. This is often due to diseases in the reproductive system, including the ovaries.
2. Manifestations of malignant ovarian cysts: Menstrual disorders
Menstrual disorders are a common manifestation of many gynecological diseases. With malignant ovarian cysts, the tumors will disrupt the menstrual cycle.
3. Vaginal burning pain during sex
This may be a temporary symptom but can also be a sign of malignant ovarian cysts or other gynecological diseases such as endometriosis, infection…
Malignant ovarian cysts cause burning pain in the private area after sex
4. Abnormal weight loss
Malignant tumors develop due to hormonal disorders. These include hormones that control metabolism. This causes the patient to lose appetite and the body cannot absorb nutrients, causing unusually rapid weight loss.
5. Frequent bloating or pelvic pain
If you have eliminated the causes of bloating due to digestive problems or medication side effects, the phenomenon of abdominal bloating and frequent pelvic pain may be a sign of malignant ovarian cysts.
6. Symptoms of malignant ovarian cysts: Frequent urination
This symptom is often easily confused with other health conditions, so women often overlook the cause of malignant ovarian cysts.
Tumors grow larger and metastasize, causing pressure on surrounding organs such as the rectum and bladder, causing the patient to urinate frequently.
Stages of development of malignant ovarian cysts
The level of manifestation of malignant ovarian cysts can be severe or mild depending on the stage of development of the malignant tumor. Disease stage classification is important in planning appropriate treatment. Stages of development of ovarian malignant tumors include:
Stage 1: The tumor is limited to the ovaries or fallopian tubes
This phase is divided into three sub-phases, including:
- Stage 1A: Malignant tumor limited to one ovary (with intact follicle) or fallopian tube; no tumors on the surface of the ovaries or fallopian tubes; There were no malignant cells in the ascitic fluid or peritoneal lavage fluid.
- Stage 1B: Tumor limited to both ovaries (follicular capsule intact) or fallopian tubes; no tumors on the surface of the ovaries or fallopian tubes; There were no malignant cells in the ascitic fluid or peritoneal lavage fluid.
- Stage 1C: Tumor limited to one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes plus any of the following:
Surgery to rupture the tumor.
The tumor capsule was ruptured before surgery.
Malignant cells in abdominal fluid or peritoneal lavage fluid.
Stage 2: The tumor invades one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes with spread to the pelvis (lower pelvis) or peritoneal cancer.
This phase is divided into 2 sub-phases, including:
- Stage 2A: The tumor from the ovary has spread or invaded the uterus or fallopian tubes.
- Stage 2B: The malignant tumor has metastasized to nearby organs in the pelvic area.
Stage 3: Tumor involving one or both ovaries or fallopian tubes or peritoneal cancer with microscopically confirmed peritoneal metastases outside the pelvis and/or metastases to lymph nodes retroperitoneal.
This phase includes 3 sub-phases, including:
- Stage 3A: The tumor has spread beyond the pelvis to your abdomen or in the lymph nodes.
- Stage 3B: The tumor may have grown to about 2cm in size and spread beyond the pelvis or in the lymph nodes.
- Stage 3C: The tumor is larger (more than 2cm), has moved outside the pelvis or is in the lymph nodes. At this stage, it can affect other organs in the body such as the liver and spleen.
Stage 4
This is the stage when the symptoms of malignant ovarian cysts appear most serious. At this time, the tumor has spread into organs such as the liver, spleen, chest or lymph nodes in the groin.
Evolution of 4 stages of malignant ovarian cysts
Treatment methods for malignant ovarian cysts
Can malignant ovarian cysts be cured? The disease is completely curable if detected in its early stages. The goal of treatment is to remove as much of the melanoma as possible. Treatments for malignant ovarian cysts include:
Surgery: Your doctor may prescribe open surgery to remove cysts in the ovaries and any organs containing malignant tumors.
Chemotherapy: Your doctor may prescribe chemotherapy before or after surgery to treat malignant ovarian cysts. Chemotherapy is the use of specialized drugs administered by injection or orally to destroy or inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Targeted therapy: This treatment uses medication to identify and attack malignant cysts. Targeted therapy changes the way cancer cells grow and divide.
Radiation therapy: This method uses radiation rays (high energy). Radiation therapy only affects cells in the irradiated area. Radiation may come from a machine (external radiation). Some patients are treated intraperitoneally by injecting radioactive solution directly into the abdomen through a catheter. Radiation therapy will also affect normal cells and disease-causing cells.
Symptoms of malignant ovarian cysts will improve or disappear after treatment
Note after treatment of malignant ovarian cysts
Symptoms of malignant ovarian cysts will improve or disappear after treatment. To support good treatment results, in addition to strictly following the doctor’s instructions and regimen, patients should note the following:
- Regular follow-up appointments to ensure the disease does not recur
- Have appropriate nutrition and health care.
- Pursue a balanced diet with a variety of healthy foods.
- Patient’s diet after ovarian cyst treatment.
Related questions
1. Are malignant ovarian cysts hereditary?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , malignant ovarian cysts are hereditary. Accordingly, if you have a relative with ovarian cancer, you will have a higher risk of getting the disease.
2. Is it okay to have a 10cm ovarian cyst?
Many medical studies evaluate a 10cm ovarian cyst as a large tumor and should be treated as soon as possible. Most cases of ovarian cysts 10cm or larger are treated with surgery if the cyst grows rapidly or shows signs of malignant ovarian cyst.
3. Are malignant ovarian cysts dangerous?
Malignant ovarian cysts are a dangerous and life-threatening disease if not treated at an early stage. According to data from the Office for National Statistics (UK) , the prognosis for women with malignant ovarian cysts is as follows:
- 70% of patients live 1 year or more after being diagnosed with symptoms of malignant ovarian cysts
- 45% of patients will live 5 years or more after diagnosis and treatment
- 35% of patients live 10 years or more after diagnosis and treatment.
The prognosis of malignant ovarian cysts depends on many factors
