Diagnosing ovarian cancer typically begins with evaluating symptoms, followed by tests such as:
- Transvaginal Ultrasound: A procedure in which an ultrasound device is inserted into the vagina to provide images of a woman’s uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and pelvic area.
- CA-125 (Cancer antigen 125) Test: Looks for high levels of CA-125, which is a tumor marker that could indicate the presence of ovarian cancer.
- Imaging: Scans such as a CT, PET and/or MRI are used to determine the extent of the cancer.
- Surgery: May be performed to make a definitive diagnosis.
- Stage I: Cancer confined to one or both ovaries.
- Stage II: Cancer has spread into the uterus or pelvis.
- Stage III: Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or upper abdomen.
- Stage IV: Cancer has metastasized into distant organs such as the lungs or liver.
Related Link
Understanding Stages of Ovarian Cancer: What Should Patients Know?
The three main types of ovarian cancer include:
- Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: The most common type of ovarian cancer; develops from cells covering the outer surface of the ovary. Subtypes include:
- Serous carcinoma
- Endometrioid carcinoma
- Clear cell carcinoma
- Mucinous carcinoma
- Sex cord-stromal tumor: Develops from connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together. Accounts for less than 5% of cases, is usually found at an early stage, and has a good outlook.
- Germ cell tumor: Develops from cells that produce the ova or eggs.
Related Link
Testing helps identify the stage of ovarian cancer, assess risk, and personalize treatment options.
- Pathology Examination: Conducted during surgery to diagnose ovarian cancer.
- CA-125 Lab Test: A common blood test used to detect ovarian cancer presence.
- Genetic Testing: Blood-based test to identify inherited or mutated genes.
- Germline Mutations: A hereditary mutation, passed directly from a parent to a child at the time of conception. Cancer caused by germline mutations is called inherited cancer and accounts for about 5% to 20% of all cancers.
- Somatic Mutation: Mutations that can occur in any of the cells of the body but are not hereditary. These mutations may, in some cases, cause cancer or other diseases.
- Biomarker Testing: Laboratory testing that identifies certain genes, proteins, or other molecules in a sample of tissue, blood, or other body fluid. In cancer, it may also be used to evaluate treatment or to make a prognosis. Biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer include:
- BRCA1 and BRCA2
- Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)
Related Links
Essential Testing Following an Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
How Does Biomarker Testing Impact Ovarian Cancer Screening and Detection?
Tools to help you feel activated and connect with resources to overcome barriers to accessing care.
Topics:
- Understanding Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer Testing and Treatment
- [ACT]IVATED Ovarian Cancer Resources
Provides ovarian cancer patients with key information to help them understand their role, empowering them to engage in their care and treatment decisions
Topics:
- Understanding Your Role in Ovarian Cancer Care
- COLLABORATE Ovarian Cancer Resources
- Comprender su Papel en su Cuidado del Cáncer de Ovario
- COLLABORATE Ovarian Cancer Spanish Resources
Will help you understand the importance of essential biomarker testing before key decisions are made in your care—including following a recurrence.
Topics:
- Understanding Testing in Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer Treatment Decisions
- Tools for Ovarian Cancer Patient Self-Advocacy
