Description A cancer growth in ...
Description
A cancer growth in the ovary. Symptoms including abdominal bloating or pain can be wrongly blamed on indigestion or other gastrointestinal problems, and this can delay diagnosis of this cancer. Delay of tests and quick growth of the cancer both make it common for ovarian cancer to be advanced when first diagnosed. It is most common after age 50, but can occur at any age. There are several different types of ovarian cancer, and this cancer can be difficult to survive.
Symptoms
Sense of pelvic heaviness, vague lower abdominal discomfort, vaginal bleeding, weight gain or loss, abnormal menstrual cycles, unexplained back pain that worsens over time, increased abdominal girth, non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. One ovary may feel large on pelvic examination. Ovarian cancer is usually found by ultrasound of the pelvis. A CT scan will be done to check for cancer spread. Surgery is part of the process of diagnosis: the type of cancer will be determined from a biopsy or from evaluating the removed ovary.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound
Other Specific Tests: CA125, quantitative HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin), alpha fetoprotein, gI series, exploratory laparotomy
Do I need this test?
Don't screen low risk women with CA-125 or ultrasound for ovarian cancer. CA-125 and ultrasound in low risk, asymptomatic women have not led to diagnosis of ovarian cancer in earlier stages of disease or reduced ovarian cancer mortality. False positive results of either test can lead to unnecessary procedures, which have risks of complication.
Specialists:
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Care (oncology), Gynecologic Oncology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. One ovary may feel large on pelvic examination. Ovarian cancer is usually found by ultrasound of the pelvis. A CT scan will be done to check for cancer spread. Surgery is part of the process of diagnosis: the type of cancer will be determined from a biopsy or from evaluating the removed ovary.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound
Other Specific Tests: CA125, quantitative HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin), alpha fetoprotein, gI series, exploratory laparotomy
Do I need this test?
Don't screen low risk women with CA-125 or ultrasound for ovarian cancer. CA-125 and ultrasound in low risk, asymptomatic women have not led to diagnosis of ovarian cancer in earlier stages of disease or reduced ovarian cancer mortality. False positive results of either test can lead to unnecessary procedures, which have risks of complication.
Specialists:
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Care (oncology), Gynecologic Oncology
Treatment
Surgery is the primary treatment and is often needed to diagnose the disorder. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used after surgery. After treatment the disease is monitored with blood tests to watch for changes in a protein named "CA-125," which can be produced by ovarian cancers. People who have been treated for ovarian cancer also require CT scans to monitor for return of cancer.