Tests Used in the Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadlier types of cancer, with only 46% of women surviving five years past diagnosis. One of the reasons that ovarian cancer is so deadly is that there's no real way to find ovarian tumors before they grow big enough to cause symptoms--and by that time, the cancer has often spread or metastasized. Scientists are working on ways to detect and diagnose ovarian cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment will be much more effective. Until then, women will rely on existing tests for diagnosis.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of ovarian cancer are rather vague and are similar to symptoms of many other conditions. They include bloating, pelvic pain, a feeling of unusual fullness when eating, and urinary urgency. Other symptoms include tiredness, constipation, back pain, pain during sex, and changes in menstruation. If these symptoms occur for more than a few weeks, a woman should contact her doctor. Once at the doctor, tests can be run to see if ovarian cancer is the correct diagnosis.

Pelvic Exam

• During a pelvic exam, a doctor or nurse inserts a finger into the vagina and feels the surrounding area for any abnormalities. The doctor or nurse may also look into the vagina using a speculum to hold it open. The ovaries can be examined during a pelvic exam, and it's possible for a ovarian mass to be found during such an examination. Unfortunately, if ovarian cancer is first detected during a pelvic exam, it is probably far advanced.

Ultrasound

• Ultrasound testing uses sound waves to create a picture of the inside of the abdomen, including the ovaries. It can detect abnormal masses in the ovaries, and can sometimes help determine whether a mass is a solid tumor or a fluid-filled cyst. Ultrasound testing is done by rolling a ultrasound probe over the stomach or by inserting an ultrasound probe into the vagina. Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS), during which a probe is inserted into the vagina, is usually better at detecting ovarian masses.

Further Imaging

• If ovarian cancer is found, further body imaging may be done to see how far the cancer has spread. CT scans, MRI scans, chest x-rays and barium enemas are all used to search for cancer metastases in different parts of the body, such as the liver, brain, lungs and colon. A PET scan, which uses radioactive sugar to track cancer development, can be done to find far-flung, small tumors.

Invasive Testing

• Some diagnostic tests may require surgery or other invasive probing. A biopsy may be done when the ovarian mass is surgically removed. This will confirm the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Laparoscopy, during which a probe is inserted into a small incision in the abdomen, can give doctors a close-up view of the abdominal and pelvic organs. This procedure can aid surgery planning and can also reveal how far cancer has spread.