In modern practice in the field of gynecology, an annual increase in the number of patients with a diagnosis of ovarian cystadenocarcinoma is observed. This disease suggests the presence of a malignant tumor that develops on the surface of the epithelium. It is attributed to the most common ailments among all available epithelial formations. Cystadenocarcinoma is a secondary ovarian cancer affecting patients of different age categories.
In modern medicine, two types of such cancer are distinguished at once: serous and mucinous. Consider their features.
Serous type
Serous ovarian cystadenocarcinoma occurs among sixty percent of patients with malignant tumors. In most situations, such a disease is formed as a result of the transformation of benign epithelial cells of the cystic formation into an unfavorable form.
In cases with serous ovarian cystadenocarcinoma, the development of the disease occurs rapidly, so it quickly forms metastases in other organs. The symptomatology of such a tumor makes itself felt when its body begins to grow to large sizes. Women who feel changes in their body, but do not go to the gynecologist for a long time, often bring the matter to the last stages. With this disease, the symptomatology becomes apparent only at a late stage and manifests itself in the form of constant dull abdominal pain. Such pains are chronic and do not bother a woman much. Over time, a feeling of weakness can be added to them, a general exhaustion of the body is observed.
Mucinous type and its symptoms
Consider the second type of disease. Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary in most cases is characterized by an asymptomatic course, therefore it is already detected at a late stage, when pain occurs in the lower abdomen and ascites appears. Often, women complain of impaired bowel function, which is accompanied by constipation or indigestion, as well as a feeling of constant discomfort in this part of the body. On ultrasound, a mucinous neoplasm looks like a tumor in the form of an uneven consistency. Against the background of palpation in this case, patients feel pain in the place where the mucinous body formed. As part of a rectovaginal study, doctors can feel for the tumor node.
This type of cancer is characterized in that small sections of a decaying tumor appear in the thickness of the chambers of the cystic formation or papillary growths form on the cystic surface. The mucinous body, as a rule, consists of polymorphic elements of an atypical type, prone to the formation of papillary, glandular and lattice structures. In the last stage of this type of cancer, the peritoneum, as well as the blood and lymph vessels, are affected by metastases.
Papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the ovaries
It is classified as secondary. This suggests that it is being formed at the site of benign education. Metastases appear against the background of the spread of cancer cells along with the bloodstream.
Endometrioid cystadenocarcinoma: developmental features
Ovarian endometrioid cystadenocarcinomas are less cystic than serous and mucinous. Their size varies from two to thirty-five centimeters. Solid nodes have a variegated appearance with hemorrhages. The average age of patients is fifty years. In the abdominal region ascites and multiple implantation metastases can be detected, however, in general, with endometrioid cancer they are less common than in the presence of serous.
Specific symptoms
Late stage ovarian cystadenocarcinoma is accompanied by the following specific symptoms:
- The presence of a disturbed menstrual cycle in which uterine bleeding becomes abundant or rare.
- Failure of the intestines and bladder.
- An increase in the volume of the abdominal cavity for no reason.
- Periodic increase in temperature, especially in the evening.
- Weight loss due to disruption of the digestive system.
- Deterioration of well-being, which can manifest itself in the form of rapid fatigue, constant fatigue, apathy, drowsiness.
- Menopause spotting.
Diagnostic Methods
A preliminary diagnosis of ovarian cystadenocarcinoma is to conduct a thorough gynecological examination with a general picture. If it was found that the preexisting education in size increased or affected other organs, then the patient is sent for instrumental and laboratory examination. One of the main diagnostic methods is transvaginal, transrectal or classical ultrasound. In this case, specialists can find out the type of neoplasm and how tightly it is attached to the organ. In a study in most situations, it is possible to notice the spread of pathogenic cells in the space between the uterus and rectum.
Sometimes ultrasound makes it impossible to make a correct diagnosis. Then a procedure called paracentesis is performed. A doctor under local anesthesia punctures the vagina and makes a biomaterial sample from the abdominal cavity. The following manipulations are used as additional diagnostic techniques: puncture biopsy, peritoneal MRI, CT of the peritoneal organs, as well as lymphography.
A biopsy of serous papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary consists in the collection of material, which are the cells of the lymph nodes. Then the material is examined under a microscope.
The technique of lymphography makes it possible to examine the human lymphatic system. This is very important, as cancer cells spread quite actively with lymph. A significant part of them is delayed in the lymph nodes, which can also be detected using this method.
The most accurate techniques that make it possible to determine the size of a tumor in the ovaries along with their consistency and exact location are CT and MRI. In the diagnosis of cancer, laboratory blood tests are also widely used, which make it possible to identify oncological markers and determine their type.
To determine the presence of cancer cells in the ovaries in the early stages, the Doppler color mapping technique is widely used. When diagnosing, CKD allows you to see and evaluate the state in which blood flow is in the vessels of formation. In this way, it is possible to most accurately determine the type of pathology (benign or malignant) by calculating vascularization.
Treatment
For the effective treatment of cystadenocarcinoma, a comprehensive treatment is always carried out, which includes the surgical removal of the affected tissue and medication at the same time (chemotherapy). Often, with the advanced stages of oncology, it is necessary to remove the organs of the reproductive system, including the uterus with appendages. If the tumor has spread only to one ovary, then its removal and drug therapy is enough.
With metastases to other organs, a major operation in the abdominal region may be required. To prevent this, it is recommended to regularly visit a doctor, as well as treat absolutely all gynecological ailments in a timely manner, removing suspicious tumors with ovarian cysts.
Stages
As medical statistics show, unfortunately, women who, when the first unpleasant sensations occur in the ovaries or other pelvic organs, consult a doctor already have stage III-IV cancer. The number of such patients is 74.7%. This suggests that the onset of the development of the disease passes without any symptoms at all.
Consider how ovarian cancer develops. In total, four stages are recorded. The first three have a letter gradation (A, B, and C), which indicates how fast the development is.
Stages:
First one.
- IA - one ovary is affected, but ascites (fluid accumulation) is not.
- IB - already affected two ovaries, but ascites is not observed.
- IC - tumor on the ovary and ascites.
The second one.
- II A - the uterus and fallopian tubes are affected.
- II B - affected pelvic tissue.
- II C - tumor on the ovary and ascites.
In serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary, stage 3 is divided into:
- III A suggests the presence of microscopic adverse cells outside the pelvis within the peritoneum.
- III B implies that pathogenic cells are found outside the pelvis and have a diameter of up to two centimeters.
- III C metastases are found inside the peritoneum with a diameter of more than two centimeters or in regional nodes.
IV - multiple local and remote metastases.
Forecasts
Life expectancy with ovarian cystadenocarcinoma, as in a number of other oncological formations, directly depends on what stage the disease was at the time of its detection. If the tumor was noticed and quickly eliminated in the first stage, then up to 90% of patients have good chances of recovery (life expectancy of more than 5 years). Moreover, such patients, who are of reproductive age, can even conceive and bear a healthy child.
If treatment is started when the disease was in the second stage of development, the survival rate for more than 5 years is from 70 to 73%.
If ovarian cancer is detected in the third stage, survival is already from 40 to 59%. The most favorable prognosis for a type of cancer with the symbol A.
However, patients with cancer to the fourth degree have a chance. According to statistics, among them managed to live 5 years and more than 17%. According to doctors, the general condition of the patient, the strength of his immunity, and his positive attitude influence the outcome.
Prevention
The causes of any type of cancer, including ovarian cystadenocarcinoma, are not exactly established. Therefore, there are no clear recommendations for preventive measures. As a measure that helps to identify a tumor in the first stage, experts recommend regular visits to the gynecologist (at least twice a year).
Since in many cases heredity can be traced when cancer occurs, women who have already had cases of this disease in the family should not only be examined, but also be tested for cancer markers at least once a year.