AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Diagnosis ovarian cancer

Even though there is no reliable test to detect ovarian cancer, there are many available procedures that may help doctors diagnose the disease. Normally, screening for ovarian cancer starts with a pelvic examination. Pelvic examination is an internal physical test performed by a doctor (a gynecologist). This examination involves in examining the vagina, rectum and lower abdomen for any abnormal cell growths. It is recommended that women of all ages should have a yearly pelvic examination.

If the doctor finds any abnormal growths on the ovaries, he/she may order you to have further imaging tests. These tests are referred to as; Positron Emission Tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT) scans, MRI and ultrasound. Blood tests may also be performed to detect a protein called CA-125, which is often used for women who have previously been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This type of protein is normally found at abnormally higher levels in women with ovarian cancer.

Ovaries are located deep inside women’s pelvis. Therefore, surgery is sometime needed to confirm the diagnosis. A laparotomy is commonly used to diagnose ovarian cancer. A laparotomy is a non-invasive procedure, which makes a small incision in your stomach, through to the abdominal cavity to determine cancer cells. This procedure helps doctor to identify the tumor type and stage. Determining the stage is important for successful treatment plans.