Ovarian cancer
How is epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosed? Unless a woman is already being monitored because she has tested positive for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, she is most likely to be diagnosed with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer because early disease typically has no symptoms. She may have noticed bloating and abdominal discomfort, or in some cases, she may become aware of swollen lymph nodes in her groin, armpits or in her neck just above her collarbone. A diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer is based on the results of the following examinations and tests:
Clinical examination Your doctor will carry out a clinical examination. He/she will examine your abdomen and check to see if any of your lymph nodes are enlarged. If there is a suspicion that you may have epithelial ovarian cancer, he/she may arrange for a blood test and/or abdominal ultrasound scan, and refer you to a specialist for further testing. The blood test will measure a substance called CA 125 which is raised in about 50% of women with earlystage epithelial ovarian cancer and in about 85% of those with advanced disease. CA 125 is not specific to epithelial ovarian cancer; it can be higher than normal in people with various other types of cancer and also in women with non-malignant gynaecological conditions. Because of this, it has to be considered alongside other tests before a diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer can be made.
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