In fact, ovarian cancer also has a risk period, which is inseparable from its "high recurrence rate".
In general, 2-3 years after treatment of ovarian cancer belong to the risk period, because the risk of recurrence is higher during this period, and with the extension of time, the probability of recurrence in the 3-5 years will gradually decrease, and after 5 years, the risk of recurrence is even smaller.
Therefore, we usually take the 5-year survival time as the limit, and after 5 years, we consider that the standard of clinical cure is reached, and the patients are relatively safe.
So, what can ovarian cancer patients do to shorten the risk period and extend the safety period?
01 How to shorten the danger period and extend the safety period?
Shortening the risk period is actually delaying recurrence as much as possible.
For example, it has been reported in a study [1] that about 50%-80% of ovarian cancer patients will have short-term or long-term recurrence after stopping treatment, and the recurrence rate of advanced patients is 60%-85%.
But why does the recurrence rate fluctuate? This is because there are many factors that influence recurrence.
Clinical stage, pathological type, residual tumor size after treatment, histological grade, tumor marker indicators such as CA125, treatment plan, degree of drug resistance, positive rate of lymph node metastasis, and physical condition of patients are all factors that may affect the recurrence of ovarian cancer. Depending on the patient's disease status, the recurrence rate will naturally vary.
It is not difficult to see from these recurrence-related factors that the "treatment effect" accounts for a large proportion, which shows that the efficacy is closely related to the recurrence rate and the recurrence rate.
01 Develop a scientific plan to scare cancer cells
The first step to improving efficacy is to develop a standardized and scientific treatment plan. In the selection of the regimen, the general direction of treatment should be determined according to the existing authoritative diagnosis and treatment guidelines, and then further treatment details should be formulated based on the doctor's advice and one's own situation. For ovarian cancer patients, early detection and early treatment + choosing a good plan + adjusting their mentality is actually half the battle.
02 Standardize treatment to "kill all cancer cells"
Secondly, standardized treatment is particularly important, and it is also one of the prerequisites for recovery, especially for ovarian cancer patients who are initially treated. At present, most of the treatment of ovarian cancer is a comprehensive treatment, and it is difficult to achieve a cure by a single treatment, so don't think that everything will be fine after surgery, and don't think that you can sit back and relax after chemotherapy, and complete the treatment plan + necessary adjuvant therapy according to the regulations, so as to truly "kill all cancer cells".
Cancer cells that can be "resolved" in one treatment should never be left for the next time!
03 Regular check-ups to strangle cancer cells in the cradle
The third point is re-examination. After treatment, there is a possibility of recurrence and metastasis of any malignant tumor, so timely, careful and regular examinations can help to detect the lesion at an early stage, so that early measures can be taken to treat it and prevent further deterioration of the condition.
In addition to regular check-ups in the hospital, patients can also conduct self-examination on weekdays, pay attention to whether there is obvious discomfort on the body, whether there are new tumors, nodules, pain, ulcers and other problems in and near the original cancer lesion, if there is discomfort, they should go to the hospital for examination in time.
04 Manage yourself to defend against cancer cells
The last point is to manage the daily routine after the treatment. Patients should achieve balanced nutrition and reasonable diet to better replenish immunity, ensure sleep quality and let their body get sufficient rest, choose a suitable exercise mode for an appropriate amount of exercise, in principle, "in a relaxed way, moderate intensity, and step by step", and maintain a good attitude, not impatient or impatient, and regulate bad mood in time.
After the above four points are achieved, our treatment is likely to exert the maximum effect, resist the "resurgence" of cancer cells, and thus prolong the safety period and shorten the danger period.
02 What are the signs that indicate "danger" coming?
In addition to down-to-earth treatment, it is also important to learn to recognize "red flags". What are the signs that indicate that "danger" is coming for ovarian cancer patients [2]?
Elevated tumor markers: such as the most common indicators such as CA125, HE4, CA199 and so on;
Pain in the lower back and abdomen or a feeling of falling pain in one side of the lower abdomen: this is related to the twisting or rupture of the ovarian mass, and the invasion or adhesion of the tissues near the ovaries by the cancer;
Abdominal mass: This is caused by the rapid growth rate of the tumor, which will cause abdominal distention, abdominal pain and ascites in the short term, and there will also be symptoms such as intestinal obstruction;
Bleeding: Symptoms such as vaginal bleeding may be caused by the destruction of both ovaries by cancerous tissue, which can be manifested as persistent bleeding and dark red in color;
Pressure: If the tumor compresses the diaphragm or chest ascites occurs, dyspnea and palpitations may occur;
Systemic symptoms such as fatigue, sudden weight loss, anemia, and persistent fever.
If you have any of the above conditions, you must not panic, but go to the hospital as soon as possible for relevant examinations to determine whether these abnormalities are caused by cancer!
In the end, what Mutual Aid Jun wants to tell you is that recurrence and metastasis are not terrible, and the danger period is not so tricky, and most of the real crises stem from contempt for cancer and luck, such as negative treatment after diagnosis, blind optimism during treatment, and freewheeling during the recovery period, etc., which are often the driving forces behind the cancer whirlpool again.
Instead of spending your mind on worrying, it is better to accept the existence of dangerous periods, correct your mentality, and actively prevent it!
Warm reminder: The information involved in this article is intended to convey the cutting-edge medical information and research progress, and does not involve the recommendation of diagnosis and treatment plans.
Image source: Photo.com
Editor in charge: Mijian Kepujun
Reference Sources:
[1] "Factors related to ovarian cancer recurrence", Lin Zhongqiu, et al
[2] "Progress in the diagnosis and treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer - diagnosis of recurrent ovarian cancer", Xue Fengxia et al