Can we screen for ovarian cancer?

Purpose of Review

Epithelial ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed in the advanced stage and carries a poor prognosis. When detected at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate is 90%. Despite the availability of various diagnostic tools for ovarian cancer screening, high levels of sensitivity and specificity are not achievable. There is therefore an ongoing need to identify new screening tests and strategies that should be readily available, relatively noninvasive, and achieve high sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. RECENT

Findings:

Our review focuses on various screening technologies including serum biomarkers, transvaginal ultrasonography as well as multimodality screening that can be used for early detection of ovarian cancer. The efficacy of different screening tools is discussed along with the efforts made to improve sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value. The initial results of two large population-based screening studies are presented.

Summary

An optimal screening test with high levels of sensitivity and specificity is indispensable for early detection of ovarian cancer. Serological screening with serum biomarkers (serum proteins and autoantibodies) can be used as a first-line screening test. In combination with TVS or color-flow Doppler imaging, this may prove very effective in early detection of ovarian cancer.

Please click on the required question.

• 1 What is cancer (malignancy)
• 2 What is meant by cancer staging?
• 3 How prevalent is cancer?
• 4 How prevalent are womens' cancers?
• 5 What causes cancer?
• 6 Is cancer a hereditary condition?
• 7 How can gynaecological cancer present?
• 8 How can we reduce the risks of the womens' cancers?

   

  Reducing the Risks of Womens' Cancers.

• 9 What are screening tests?
• 10 What are the reactions to a diagnosis of cancer?
• 11 Is there a place for counselling when cancer is diagnosed?
• 12 Can personality alter the prognosis?
• 13 Is the incidence of deaths from the female cancers changing?
• 14 Is there a place for a holistic approach to cancer?

   

  Cancer of the Cervix.

• 15 How prevalent is cervical cancer?
• 16 What causes cervical cancer?
• 17 How long an interval should there be between cervical screening (smear) (PAP) tests?
• 18 Is there any evidence that cervical screening can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer?
• 19 Will pre-malignant changes of the cervix invariably lead to cancer?

   

  Endometrial Cancer (Uterus)

• 20 What causes endometrial cancer?
• 21 Are there screening tests for endometrial cancer?
• 22 How does endometrial cancer present?
• 22a How can endometrial cancer be prevented?
• 22b How can endometrial cancer be treated?

  Cancer of the Ovary.

• 23 How does ovarian cancer present?
• 24 How prevalent is ovarian cancer?
• 25 What are tumour markers?
• 26 Can we screen for ovarian cancer?
• 27 What is the relationship between infertility and ovarian cancer?
• 28 Can treatment of infertility increase the risk of ovarian cancer?
• 29 What is the relationship between oral contraception and cancer?
• 30 Can ovarian cancer be prevented?
• 31 I use talcum power. Could this increase my risk of developing ovarian cancer?

   

  The Treatment Of Womens' Cancers

• 32 Can we predict the course of a cancer?
• 33 What treatment options are available for gynaecological cancer?
• Q32.33c What treatment options are available for ovarian cancer?

  Cancer of the Vulva, Vagina and Fallopian Tube

• 34 How prevalent are malignant conditions of the vulva, vagina and Fallopian tubes?

  Breast Cancer

• 35 What is the incidence of breast cancer?
• 35 ?What is the cause of breast cancer?
• 35a What are the advantages of breast cancer screening - mammography - mammograms?
• 36 How often should breast screening be carried out?
• 37 Are there any problems having a mammogram?
• 38 Should I check myself for breast lumps?
• 39 One of my family developed cancer of the breast. Am I at increased risk?
• 40 We have a family tendency towards developing breast / ovarian cancer. Are there any genetic tests to find out if I am at increased risk?
• 41 What happens if a mammogram shows an abnormality?
• 42 What are the advantages and disadvantages of tamoxifen in the management of breast cancer?
• 42a Breast Cancer Treatment - What is available?
• 43 What is the relationship between breast cancer and the pill?

  Web sites and Support Groups

• 44 Are there any support groups?
• 44 Are there any support groups?
• 45 Support Groups.
• 46 Breast Cancer Support Groups
• 47 Ovarian Cancer Support Groups
• 48 Endometrial Cancer Support Groups
• 49 Cervical Cancer Support Groups
  
  
  

  
  
  

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  This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

  I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided. If you still have unanswered questions, please consider entering them into one of our forums and I will try to assist you.