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Just like there are no specific symptoms of ovarian cancer, there are no specific screening tools. A pap smear does not detect ovarian cancer, it mainly detects cervical cancer. A series of different tests are useful when ovarian cancer is suspected. A tumor marker, CA 125, may be elevated in the blood to greater than 35 U/ml. The higher the CA 125, the greater the chance of having ovarian cancer. CA 125 cannot be used as a screening tool because it is not specific to ovarian cancer and may be elevated due to benign (noncancerous) conditions. Ultrasounds and CT scans are tests that can help in detecting an abnormality in an ovary. An ultrasound is the safest noninvasive method to determine and evaluate the size, shape, configuration, and consistency of the ovary. Ultrasound measures sound waves to capture snapshots of the pelvis. A computed axial tomography (CAT) scan is most helpful in detecting ovarian cancer because it shows greater detail than an ultrasound and may help detect if the cancer has spread to other areas in the abdomen and pelvis. A CAT scan also prints pictures of the area scanned that can give your gynecologic oncologist a better idea of the mass. In regard to screening examinations for ovarian cancer, several large studies done in Europe have shown no efficacy in ovarian cancer screening using a combination of CA 125 and pelvic ultrasound. The only way ovarian cancer can be confirmed is by a surgical biopsy. This is a procedure in which a sample of the tumor is taken while the patient is under anesthesia. The sample is then examined under a microscope to determine if it is cancer and if further surgery is needed.
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Ovarian Cancer 