DETECTING OVARIAN CANCER IN THE EARLY STAGES
Dr Steven R. Goldstein MD, a top gynecologist in NYC, says that early-stage detection of deadly ovarian cancer is vital. There are two large ovarian cancer screening programs. Interestingly enough, The University of Kentucky got a large grant in 1987 and started screening women annually for the presence of ovarian cancer. They picked up 82% of ovarian tumors at stage 1 or 2 which is virtually the opposite of the real world where 82% present at stage 3 or 4. In general, earlier stage detection results in much better survival rates.Alarge study in Britain had somewhat similar results.
However, there was a small number of women, though not insignificant, who presented with ovarian cancer less than a year after their negative screening encounter. Dr Goldstein was extremely interested in these individuals. He believes that if someone came in two or three months after their negative screening with a bellyful of cancer that perhaps some of these tumors were so virulent that no matter what we do it would not be helpful. However, in both of these studies all of those patients were between six and thirteen months since their negative screening encounter. The take-home message is that if you screen annually, you will do well. But if you screen at six-month intervals, you will do even better.
Even before he had this scientific information, Dr Goldstein, a gynecologist in NYC had a personal motto that said “over surveillance, under treat.” You see, in some people’s hands, over surveillance leads to over treatment. This can result in unnecessary testing, and, unfortunately, sometimes even unnecessary surgery. It is important to understand the difference between an ominous finding when using
routine ultrasound and findings that are innocuous and much more common than previously appreciated.
Dr Goldstein uses painless transvaginal ultrasounds in his ovarian cancer screening. Higher frequency ultrasound probes are placed into the vagina to image pelvic structures like the uterus and ovaries with greater magnification than old fashioned transducers placed on the abdomen and requiring a full bladder. These transvaginal ultrasounds tell Dr Goldstein two things – the anatomy of the ovaries and their function. If there is any mass in the ovary it is detected and the color flow doppler indicates whether it is a cancerous or benign mass.
Dr Steven R. Goldstein MD is an a NYC Gyn who routinely performs ovarian and cervical cancer screening in NYC. A former Director of Gynecologic Ultrasound at NYU Langone Medical Center, Dr Goldstein personally performs all transvaginal ultrasounds with color flow doppler to screen for ovarian cancer. He does not rely on a report or use a technician. If you have been told you have an ovarian mass (tumor) and need to be screened for ovarian cancer, schedule a consultation with Dr Steven R. Goldstein MD.