Hip pain is a very common symptom, often associated with musculoskeletal issues, sciatica, or muscle strain from overexertion. However, when hip pain becomes persistent, prolonged, and unusual, it may signal the presence of malignant tumors developing in nearby organs such as the ovaries, colon, or bones. For women, the pelvic area houses reproductive organs, making them particularly susceptible to this type of pain and thus more vigilant.

Here are four abnormal types of hip pain that you need to be particularly aware of:

1. Hip Pain Without Injury and Increasing in Intensity
   If your hip pain appears without any prior injury or overexertion and tends to intensify over time rather than subside, it is a warning sign that should be checked.

   This type of pain could be caused by ovarian cancer or uterine cancer, as these tumors grow larger and press on nerves and surrounding tissues in the pelvic and hip regions. In women, ovarian tumors often spread silently, causing hip pain once they invade nearby structures. Similarly, colorectal cancer in the sigmoid colon or rectum may also cause pain that radiates to the hip region. It is important to note that pain caused by cancer does not subside with rest or the use of common musculoskeletal pain relievers.

2. Hip Pain Accompanied by Swelling or Edema in the Legs
   Hip pain becomes more concerning when it is accompanied by swelling or edema in one or both legs, especially if the swelling is unilateral.

   This is a warning sign that the tumor has grown large enough to compress major blood vessels, including the vena cava or pelvic veins. This compression can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), making it difficult for blood to return to the heart, resulting in leg swelling. In the context of persistent hip pain, thrombosis is often associated with ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, or prostate cancer (in men) that has spread. Women should be particularly vigilant about this combination.

3. Persistent Hip Pain with Bowel or Urinary Issues
   The connection between hip pain and changes in bowel or urinary habits suggests a serious issue in the nearby urinary or digestive organs.

   • Bowel issues: Hip pain accompanied by constipation, alternating diarrhea, or blood in the stool is a warning sign of colorectal or rectal cancer. Tumors in the colon can compress and cause pain that radiates to the pelvic area.

   • Urinary issues: If hip pain is accompanied by frequent urination, painful urination, or blood in the urine, this could be a sign of bladder cancer or kidney cancer (when the tumor has spread to the hip region).

4. Hip Pain Accompanied by Unexplained Weight Loss
   Any pain associated with rapid, unexplained weight loss (losing more than 5% of body weight over 6-12 months) is a "red flag" for systemic cancer.

   Hip pain combined with rapid weight loss could be caused by metastatic bone cancer (such as in the pelvis or spine) or blood cancer. Cancer not only causes pain through compression but also causes the body to expend large amounts of energy to sustain the tumor, leading to fatigue and rapid weight loss.

If you notice any of the above patterns of hip pain lasting more than two weeks, seek a specialist immediately for diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT) and timely cancer screening.