Chronic pelvic pain can be cancer or appendicitis.
Pelvic cancer is any cancer that occurs in the pelvic area. The affected person can be male or female, but most types of pelvic cancer affect female organs, such as the uterus and ovaries. These cancers are named for the specific organ affected, not by the general term pelvic cancer. Cancers that occur in the same general area of the body may share some of the same symptoms, even though they are technically different types of cancer. This is true for many different symptoms of pelvic cancer and can include bedwetting, pain, and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen.
Surgical removal of the cancer may be considered for patients with pelvic cancer.
One of the most common symptoms of pelvic cancer is pelvic pain. This is often ignored or explained away as a strained muscle, menstrual problem, or other non-serious problem. Pelvic pain can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a chronic condition that can be caused by a number of problems, including sexually transmitted diseases and abscesses in the reproductive organs. Chronic pelvic pain can also be caused by appendicitis or other conditions that are not directly related to the pelvic region.
If left untreated, pelvic cancer can metastasize to the liver and other organs.
Most pelvic cancers affect women because they are found in the female reproductive organs. Men with symptoms of pelvic cancer, such as chronic pain, should be screened for prostate or testicular cancer, since pain is often the main symptom. A man with one of these cancers may also experience tiredness, lumps or tenderness, and enlarged breasts.
Treatment of cervical or other pelvic cancer depends on several variables.
Other common symptoms of pelvic cancer are unexplained weight loss, nausea, incontinence, gas, vaginal bleeding between periods or in postmenopausal women, and enlarged lymph nodes. The abdomen may be very full or heavy, and the person may also have lower back pain. Pain during intercourse is common with certain types of pelvic cancer, especially cervical cancer.
Men with symptoms of pelvic cancer should be screened for signs of prostate cancer.
Treatment of pelvic cancer depends on several different factors. Surgery is often the first step, removing as much of the cancer and surrounding tissue as possible. Chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink large tumors and is often used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy may also be used to make sure the cancer does not grow back.
Most pelvic cancers affect women.
If the symptoms of pelvic cancer are ignored or not recognized as serious, the cancer can metastasize or spread to other organs, including the liver and lungs. Treatment for cancer that has metastasized tends to be much more complicated and may not have as good a prognosis as treatment for cancer that is confined to a single site. It is important for anyone who thinks they may be experiencing symptoms of pelvic cancer to see a doctor as soon as possible.
