Jordan Ellis
Ovarian cancer is a difficult condition to diagnose in its early stages, as symptoms often only develop in the later stages. There is currently no simple and reliable screening test for ovarian cancer in women who are asymptomatic and not at high risk of developing the disease. However, if a patient is experiencing symptoms such as unusual lumps, pain or bloating in the abdomen, or has a family history of ovarian cancer, a doctor may recommend diagnostic tests to check for ovarian cancer. These tests can include blood tests, scans, and biopsies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Screening tests | No recommended screening tests for women with no symptoms and are not at high risk of developing ovarian cancer. |
| Symptoms | Unusual lumps, pain or bloating in the abdomen. |
| Diagnosis | Doctors perform a pelvic exam, ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, PET scan, blood tests, and biopsy. |
| Treatment | Surgery, chemotherapy, and other cancer treatments. |
| Post-treatment | Regular appointments to check for symptoms and discuss concerns. |
What You'll Learn
Pelvic exams
Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages, as symptoms often only develop in the later stages. Currently, there is no simple and reliable screening test for ovarian cancer in women who are asymptomatic and are not at high risk of developing the disease.
If a doctor finds something suspicious during a pelvic exam, they will recommend further exams and tests to determine the cause. These may include imaging tests such as ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans. Ultrasounds are often the first test performed if a problem with the ovaries is suspected, as they can help determine the presence of a tumour or cyst, as well as its size and appearance. CT scans can also be used to determine if ovarian cancer has spread to other organs.
Blood tests, such as the CA-125 test, may also be ordered to measure the level of a protein called CA-125 in the blood. High levels of CA-125 can be indicative of cancer, but they can also be caused by other common conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Therefore, this test is typically used in conjunction with other exams and tests to confirm a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
After ovarian cancer treatment, patients are typically monitored through regular appointments and imaging tests to ensure the cancer has not returned.
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Ultrasounds
After ovarian cancer treatment, patients are typically monitored through regular appointments and imaging tests, such as CT scans, to ensure the cancer has not returned.
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Blood tests
If ovarian cancer is suspected or if a woman is considered to be at high risk, a CA-125 blood test may be ordered by a doctor. This test measures the amount of CA-125 protein in the blood, and elevated levels can be indicative of ovarian cancer. However, it is important to note that CA-125 levels may also be normal even in the presence of cancer, and other conditions can cause higher CA-125 levels. Therefore, additional tests are often necessary for a comprehensive evaluation.
During the diagnostic process, doctors may also check for other tumour markers in the blood, depending on the suspected type of ovarian cancer. For example, germ cell cancers can cause elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Ovarian stromal tumours may lead to increased levels of inhibin, estrogen, and testosterone. These markers can help differentiate between different types of ovarian cancer and guide further treatment options.
After completing ovarian cancer treatment, patients are typically monitored through regular appointments, which include blood tests to check for any signs of recurrence. These follow-up tests are crucial for early detection of any potential cancer regrowth and to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment. While there is no single definitive blood test for ovarian cancer, combining these tests with other diagnostic tools, such as imaging scans and biopsies, can lead to more accurate detection and improved treatment outcomes.
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CT scans
One specific type of CT scan is the PET/CT scan, which combines positron emission tomography (PET) with CT imaging. This type of scan can detect cancer that has spread and is particularly sensitive to cancer cells because they absorb more glucose, a type of sugar. The PET/CT scan allows doctors to compare areas of higher radioactivity on the PET scan with the detailed structural images provided by the CT scan.
While CT scans are valuable, they have limitations in detecting small ovarian tumours. Ultrasound or MRI scans may be preferred in certain cases, as they offer advantages in visualising smaller masses or providing greater soft tissue contrast, respectively. Nonetheless, CT scans remain an essential component of the diagnostic toolkit for ovarian cancer, providing critical information to guide patient management.
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Genetic testing
The Ovarian Cancer Comprehensive Panel examines genes associated with an increased risk of hereditary ovarian cancer. This includes well-established ovarian cancer susceptibility genes, as well as candidate genes with limited evidence of an association. Patients with a personal or family history suggestive of hereditary ovarian cancer syndrome may benefit from this test.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospitals use a variety of tests to check for ovarian cancer, including pelvic exams, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI scans, blood tests, and PET scans. During a pelvic exam, a doctor will feel the ovaries and uterus for size, shape, and consistency. Ultrasounds are often the first test done if a problem is suspected as they can help determine the size and nature of an ovarian tumour or cyst. CT scans can help determine if ovarian cancer has spread to other organs. There is no simple and reliable way to screen for ovarian cancer, so it is often diagnosed at a late stage.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include unusual lumps, pain or bloating in the abdomen. However, these symptoms are often caused by other, less serious conditions. Ovarian cancer usually spreads to the lymph nodes, abdomen, intestines, stomach, chest, or liver, so symptoms may vary depending on which organs are affected.
A CA-125 blood test measures the amount of a protein called CA-125 in the blood. Many women with ovarian cancer have high levels of CA-125. However, high levels of CA-125 can also be caused by conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, and not everyone with ovarian cancer has high levels. Other blood tests may include checks for tumour markers such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
