What are the diagnostic methods for ovarian tumors

Women's health issues have received widespread attention in recent years. Ovarian malignant tumors are one of the most common malignant tumors of the female reproductive organs, and their incidence ranks third after cervical cancer and uterine body cancer. However, the mortality rate of ovarian epithelial cancer ranks first among all types of gynecological tumors, posing a serious threat to women's lives. So how should we make differential diagnosis of ovarian malignant tumors?

Due to the complexity of ovarian embryonic development, tissue anatomy and endocrine function, early symptoms are atypical, and it is quite difficult to distinguish the tissue type and benign or malignant nature of ovarian tumors before surgery. Epithelial carcinoma is the most common ovarian malignant tumor, followed by malignant germ cell tumors. During surgery, only 30% of patients with ovarian epithelial cancer were found to have tumors confined to the ovaries, while most had spread to the uterus, bilateral adnexa, greater omentum and pelvic organs, so early diagnosis is a major problem.

1. Endometriosis

Adhesive masses and uterine-rectal pit nodules formed by endometriosis are difficult to distinguish from ovarian tumors. The former often presents with progressive dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, irregular premenstrual vaginal bleeding, etc. Trial of progesterone treatment is effective and can assist in diagnosis. B-type ultrasound examination and laparoscopy are effective auxiliary diagnosis methods. Sometimes laparotomy is required for diagnosis.

2. Pelvic connective tissue inflammation

A history of miscarriage or puerperal infection, manifested by fever and lower abdominal pain, gynecological examination shows thickening and tenderness of the adnexal tissue, and flaky masses reaching the pelvic wall. Antibiotic treatment relieves symptoms and reduces the mass. If symptoms and signs do not improve after treatment, and the mass increases instead, ovarian malignancy should be considered. B-type ultrasound examination is helpful for differentiation.

3. Tuberculous peritonitis

It is often accompanied by ascites, and adhesions in the pelvis and abdominal cavity. It often occurs in young, infertile women. Most of them have a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, and systemic symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, low fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, scanty menstruation or amenorrhea. Gynecological examination shows that the mass is located higher, irregular in shape, unclear in boundaries, and fixed. The boundary between tympanic sound and dullness is unclear during percussion. B-type ultrasound examination and X-ray examination can often assist in diagnosis, and laparotomy is performed for confirmation when necessary.

Tumors outside the reproductive tract

It needs to be differentiated from retroperitoneal tumors, rectal cancer, sigmoid colon cancer, etc. Retroperitoneal tumors are fixed and low in position, causing the uterus or rectum to shift. Intestinal cancer often has typical digestive (digestive food) tract symptoms. B-ultrasound examination and barium enema are helpful for differentiation.

5. Metastatic Ovarian Tumors

It is difficult to distinguish from primary ovarian tumors. If bilateral, medium-sized, kidney-shaped, active solid masses are palpated in the adnexal area, metastatic ovarian tumors (Krukenberg tumors) should be suspected. If the patient has gastrointestinal symptoms and a history of gastrointestinal cancer or breast cancer, the diagnosis can basically be established. However, most cases have no history of primary tumors.

Through the above introduction, I believe everyone has a further understanding of the differential diagnosis of ovarian malignant tumors. As the disease with the highest mortality rate among gynecological malignant tumors, it is enough for the majority of female compatriots to pay great attention to it. I also hope that after learning the above knowledge, female compatriots can treat the disease correctly, attach importance to the disease, face it calmly, pay attention to it in daily life, and give themselves more care and love in work and life.