Self Checks/At-Home Testing
There are no self-checks for ovarian cancer.
Furthermore, at-home genetic tests cannot definitely determine yourrisk of developing the disease.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
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Physical Exam
No screening strategy for ovarian cancer has been proven to reduce mortality.
It is usually the first test performed to evaluate an ovarian mass and does not cause radiation exposure.
The transvaginal method is better for defining ovarian masses, especially those that are small.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
An ultrasound can also detect free fluid in the pelvis, which is often seen with advanced tumors.
It may be used to aid in the diagnosis, but is more often used in staging cancer.
A CT scan may identify:
Also,lymph nodesmay be described as enlarged.
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PET Scan
APET scanis a functional imaging test that measures tissue activity.
With a PET scan, a small amount of radioactive sugar is injected into the bloodstream.
The scan is done after the sugar has had time to be absorbed by cells.
Blood Work for Tumor Marker Detection
Certain blood tests can detect proteins known as tumor markers.
Your biopsy report should describe the sample as either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (non-cancerous).
A surgeon will also remove or make note of any suspicious-looking nodules or other masses.
If the cancer was mucinous, the appendix will be removed.
After surgery, your surgeon will send any tissue that was removed to a pathologist.
Ovarian cancer is staged using either simplified or full FIGO staging methods.
Findings may also be defined as borderline ovarian cancer.
Borderline Ovarian Cancer
Borderline ovarian cancers are those that have low malignant potential.
These are usually early stage tumors and usually do not grow back after surgery.
The five-year relative survival rate for localized ovarian cancer that has not spread outside the ovaries is 93%.
American Cancer Society.Tests for Ovarian Cancer.
MedlinePlus.CA-125 blood test (ovarian cancer).
American Cancer Society.Cancer staging.
American Cancer Society.Ovarian Cancer Stages.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
American Cancer Society.Ovarian cancer survival rates.
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