Category: ovarian cancer

Low hemoglobin and cancer : How often is anemia a symptom of cancer?

Anemia is usually a simple symptom to cure. It may, however, conceal cancers of the large intestine, stomach, ovary, kidney, lung, prostate, cervix, and other organs; thus, medical diagnostics should be especially comprehensive in this situation.

A complete blood count is one of the most fundamental preventive exams, and its results might raise the possibility of a variety of health problems, including cancer. Hemoglobin (Hb) is one of the most crucial metrics to pay close attention to.

Low hemoglobin and cancer

Low levels of hemoglobin (Hb), the oxygen-carrying protein present in red blood cells, are a sign of anemia. Anemia is a typical symptom of cancer development in the body and can occur as a side effect of cancer treatment. It is estimated that more than 40% of patients will experience it.

Of course, there are many other possible reasons for anemia (such as a poor diet or pregnancy), so additional diagnosis is required if blood test results are unsatisfactory. Adult men should have hemoglobin levels above 14 g/dl, while women should have levels above 12 g/dl.

What cancers can low hemoglobin indicate?

Low hemoglobin, indicative of anemia, is most common in  cancers such as:

  • colorectal cancer ,
  • cervical cancer ,
  • stomach cancer ,
  • lung cancer ,
  • kidney cancer ,
  • ovarian cancer ,
  • prostate cancer,
  • melanoma ,
  • leukemias ,
  • lymphomas .

It is believed that, in fact, all types of cancer can cause anemia. However, some increase this risk.

Anemia associated with cancer may result from various causes, such as:

  • bleeding (e.g. cancer in the reproductive tract, digestive or respiratory system),
  • iron, folic acid or vitamin B 12 deficiency , but also protein or vitamin B 6 deficiency – e.g. due to malabsorption or nutritional disorders, 
  • bone marrow damage during oncological treatment,
  • bone marrow infiltration or metastases,
  • hemolysis , i.e.  the passage of hemoglobin into the blood plasma caused by damage to the erythrocytes  (e.g. in lymphoma),
  • impaired erythropoiesis , i.e. the formation and multiplication of red blood cells (in various cancers)

Low hemoglobin and cancer. What does the MCV tell us?

Low hemoglobin indicates anemia, and the red blood cell volume (MCV) is an important parameter that can help identify the source of the condition. Microcytosis is typical of iron deficiency anemia, while macrocytosis occurs when there is a lack of folic acid or vitamin B12. Normally sized blood cells are found in chronic diseases.

Low iron levels and cancer

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, accounting for 80% of all cases. A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that people with iron deficiency anemia have a higher risk of developing cancer, particularly pancreatic, kidney, liver and bladder cancer. Low iron levels can also indicate the presence of cancer. Bleeding can occur from the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract, kidneys and lungs.

What cancers cause low iron levels?

Low iron levels can indicate the development of cancers such as:

  • gastrointestinal cancers (e.g. colon cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer),
  • pancreatic cancer,
  • cancers of the genitourinary system (e.g. cervical cancer),
  • respiratory cancer (e.g. lung cancer),
  • blood cancers.

Oncological treatment may also contribute to iron deficiency, which is often the result of a weakened appetite or damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Anemia and cancer : What tests to do?

To begin, stool tests are performed numerous times to check for the presence of occult blood (which cannot be seen) and endoscopic examinations, which show the anatomy of nearly the whole digestive tract from the inside (except for the small intestine, which fortunately is rarely the site of tumor development). 

Urinalysis to detect the presence of red blood cells in the urine is recommended, and a gynecological examination is also recommended in women. Only after diagnosing the cause can suitable treatment, such as iron preparations, be implemented.

Is there a link between CRP and cancer?

CRP is a biomarker for inflammation in the body. Its elevated level may signal a variety of health issues, such as a bacterial or viral infection. Cancer, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, can cause elevated CRP. The measure is also used to assess cancer patients’ prognosis.

The acute phase protein C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver during the systemic inflammatory response. Its synthesis is influenced by pro-inflammatory cytokines. CRP is produced into the blood within 24 hours of the inflammatory response beginning and returns to normal when the inflammation decreases.

The CRP standard is < 6 mg/l . Smokers and pregnant women may have higher protein levels.

A high CRP level may indicate:

  • bacterial infections (e.g. streptococcal, staphylococcal infection),
  • viral infections (e.g. hepatitis B),
  • autoimmune inflammatory disease (e.g. lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, enteritis),
  • mycosis.

The C-reactive protein test can also be used to tell the difference between bacterial and viral illnesses. Bacterial infections are more likely to cause significantly increased CRP levels (even greater than 100 mg/l). CRP levels are lower (30-40 mg/l) in viral infections.

CRP and cancer. When is high CRP indicative of cancer?

CRP is a non-specific marker of inflammation, and its elevated level may indicate cancer. Studies report both  1 mg/l and above 175 mg/l, but the higher the score, the greater the likelihood of more advanced cancer, the presence of metastases, and a worse prognosis. 

High CRP is due to the constant, low-grade inflammatory response that accompanies advancing cancer. It is important to remember that not every cancer will result in an elevated C-reactive protein, and not every elevated result will mean that we are dealing with cancer.

What kind of cancer can a high CRP indicate?

Elevated levels of CRP in the blood may indicate various types of cancer, such as:

  • colorectal cancer ,
  • lung cancer ,
  • stomach cancer ,
  • breast cancer
  • prostate cancer (prostate),
  • lymphoma ,
  • pancreatic cancer .

CRP and OB

CRP, like the ESR (Bernacki test), indicates the presence of an inflammatory reaction in the body, although the acute phase protein is a more stable characteristic that does not change as much. CRP has no effect on OB. If the ESR is markedly increased while the CRP is normal, myeloma is most likely present (cancer of the hematopoietic system).

CRP and prognosis in cancer patients

The CRP test is used to determine the prognosis of cancer patients. If the CRP is high and there are no symptoms of infection, the prognosis is poor. That could be an indication of a more serious problem. The CRP test can be used to predict the prognosis of tumors such as lung cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma. However, keep in mind that a high CRP score does not indicate malignancy. Further tests are required to confirm or rule out cancer.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer appear late. What should be of concern?

Cancer of the ovary is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the ovary’s covering, called the epithelium. It is the second most common cancer of a woman’s reproductive organs. It’s dangerous because it’s not found until it’s too late. For a long time, ovarian cancer didn’t show any signs, and when it did, the signs were vague and easy to miss.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer can grow without any signs or symptoms for several years. Early signs of ovarian cancer show up as the tumor grows. These signs can be seen at least a year before the full symptoms of the disease show up. The signs of ovarian cancer aren’t very specific, which means they could also be signs of a number of other health problems.

Early symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

  • feeling of fullness
  • belly bloating,
  • indigestion, heartburn, flatulence, constipation,
  • bladder pressure,
  • frequent urination,
  • quick feeling of fullness,
  • nausea,
  • stomach pain,
  • pelvic pain.

As the disease gets worse, abdominal masses, ascites (a buildup of fluid in the peritoneal cavity), and sometimes pleural effusions appear. A bigger stomach and sudden weight loss are frequent side effects of this. 


There may be signs of a urinary tract infection, such as pain when urinating, pressure in the bladder, and pain in the lower abdomen. Another sign is vaginal bleeding. In this instance, the bacteria’s entry into the bladder, uterus, or vaginal walls is what’s causing the symptoms. 

Symptoms of ovarian cancer that are unusual

You could say that all ovarian cancer symptoms are atypical in some way, because they can also be signs of other diseases. Atypical ovarian cancer symptoms can also be those that have nothing to do with the digestive or urinary systems, such as:

  • back pain, 
  • paleness,
  • tiredness,
  • weakness,
  • painful during intercourse
  • skin rash and muscle inflammation
  • irregular and/or heavy menstruation ,
  • shortness of breath (due to fluid accumulation, felt mainly when lying down).

These symptoms can also indicate the development of ovarian cancer.

Size of the tumor and signs of ovarian cancer

A tumor up to 7 cm in size doesn’t cause any symptoms. Only when it gets to be 11–15 cm in size do symptoms like abdominal pain, discomfort in the abdominal cavity, and often ascites get worse. Most of the time, by that time the tumor is already very far along and can’t be cured completely.

What tests to do?

Ultrasonography of the abdomen and transvaginal ultrasound are the easiest tests for ovarian cancer that are widely available and recommended. If you think you might have ovarian cancer, PET-CT, or Positron Emission Tomography, is a more accurate test. Cancer markers, especially CA 125, may also be helpful to find. Remember not to ignore symptoms like bloating, constipation, feeling full in the stomach, and pain in the lower abdomen. If they happen often, they should always be checked out further.

signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer metastases

Metastases that have spread from ovarian cancer frequently affect the peritoneum. It also spreads through the lymphatic vessels to the pelvic, periaortic, inguinal, and far-off mediastinal and supraclavicular lymph nodes, a process called metastasis. Metastasis can also happen in other organs, most often in the lungs, bones, vagina, and liver. When ascites are very bad, it may mean that the cancer has spread a lot in the peritoneum.

Lymphadenopathy, which is a general swelling of the lymph nodes, shows that the nodes are involved. Metastatic changes may be present if you have bone pain, vaginal bleeding, hemoptysis, recurrent pneumonia, or trouble breathing. As you can see, these are still not very clear signs that something is happening in the ovary.

Who is at risk of ovarian cancer?

Women of all ages can get ovarian cancer, but the risk goes up between the ages of 40 and 70. Women who have never given birth and women whose relatives have had ovarian cancer are more likely to get the disease. It goes down in women who have had babies and used birth control with hormones. According to the FIGO classification, about 70–80% of patients start treatment in clinical stage III or IV. When they are in an earlier stage, they are usually found by accident. This condition is linked to the lack of symptoms or the fact that they are not clear at first.