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How to diagnose ovarian cancer

Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the ovaries. Since early stage ovarian cancer rarely shows any symptoms, this disease can be especially difficult to diagnose. Advanced-stage ovarian cancer may cause some symptoms, but the problem is that by the time the cancer reaches this stage, it is often fatal, since it is significantly harder to treat. Also, when ovarian cancer does produce symptoms, they are often mistaken for other common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

The Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms to watch for can include:

  • Weight loss
  • Frequent urination 
  • Changes in bowels, including constipation or diarrhea
  • Pain or discomfort in or around the pelvis
  • Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
  • Quickly feeling full when eating

You should make an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms consistently, especially if you have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer. Although most of these symptoms can easily be explained by other non-threatening ailments, it is important to know your body enough to recognize if you generally don’t feel the way that you normally do.

By the time ovarian cancer is considered as the possible cause of these symptoms, it has usually already had the chance to spread beyond the ovaries. Still, diagnosis as soon as possible will improve your chances of successful treatment. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms daily for several weeks, and they are unable to be explained by another condition, let your doctor know your concerns as soon as possible.

The Diagnostic Process

There are screening tests, such as the Pap test for cervical cancer, and the mammogram for breast cancer, that are used to detect cancer before it would ordinarily be noticed by you or your doctor. However, so far no such screening test exists for ovarian cancer. Therefore, the only way to currently diagnose ovarian cancer is for your doctor to perform several tests once the diagnosis is already suspected as a possibility. These tests include:

  • Pelvic examination: This is usually the first step and involves the doctor looking for signs of ovarian cancer, such as enlarged ovaries and fluid in the abdomen. If there is reason for your doctor to suspect ovarian cancer might be present, your doctor will likely order further testing.
  • Imaging: There are many different imaging tests that can performed, such as CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, and ultrasound studies. These tests are used to determine if a mass in the pelvic area is present. However, these tests are unable to confirm if a mass is cancerous.
  • Blood test: Usually, women who have ovarian cancer will have an increased level of the protein CA 125 present in their blood. Therefore, if your other tests and symptoms are consistent with ovarian cancer, this test could confirm that. However, this test cannot stand as a diagnosis on its own since there are other medical reasons why you could have high levels of CA 125.
  • Surgery: The most definitive test for diagnosis is to remove a tissue sample from the ovaries for testing. After surgery, your doctor will use these results to determine the stage of your cancer. This will also determine your treatment options. 
Last Updated: August 26, 2015