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• Ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary)

What is the prognosis (outlook)?

There is a good chance of a cure if ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated when the disease is at an early stage (confined to the ovary and has not spread). Unfortunately, most ovarian cancers are not diagnosed at an early stage. This is because symptoms often do not occur until after the cancer has grown quite large or has spread. In this situation, a cure is less likely but still possible. In general, the later the stage and the higher the grade of the cancer, the poorer the outlook. Even if a cure is not possible, treatment can often slow down the progression of the cancer.

The treatment of cancer is a developing area of medicine. New treatments continue to be developed and the information about outlook given above is very general. The specialist who knows your case can give more accurate information about your particular outlook, and how well your stage and grade of cancer is likely to respond to treatment.

Is there a screening test for ovarian cancer?
Currently there is no screening test for ovarian cancer that is offered to all women in the UK . However, research is underway to see if a screening test will detect ovarian cancer early (when treatment is most likely to be curative). Screening tests being studied are the CA-125 blood test and regular ultrasound scan of the ovary.

Two large studies are currently underway which will provide more answers about ovarian cancer screening. Preliminary results of one of these studies (UKCTOCS) have recently been published which are encouraging. In this study, many ovarian cancers were detected in women with no symptoms and nearly half of the cancers were detected at an early stage. However, many women who had an abnormal screening test had unnecessary surgery as they were found to not have ovarian cancer. So, the pros and cons of possible ovarian screening tests are yet to be clarified. Full results will not be available until 2015. After this time a decision can be made as to whether a screening test is appropriate and lead to a fall in deaths from ovarian cancer.

Some people are currently offered screening if they have a strong family history of ovarian cancer. If you have two or more first degree relatives (sister, mother, aunt) who have had ovarian cancer or have members in the family who have had breast cancer at a young age then you should talk with your doctor to see if you would benefit from screening.

 

Further help and information

Ovacome (ovarian cancer support)

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital, Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DH
Tel: 020 7380 9589 Web: www.ovacome.org.uk.
A nationwide support group for all those concerned with ovarian cancer.

Cancerbackup

3 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3JR
Tel: 0808 800 1234 Web: www.cancerbackup.org.uk.
Provides information and support to anyone affected by cancer.

Cancer Research UK

Web www.cancerhelp.org.uk/ - detailed information about cancer and treatment choices.
Other support groups
See www.patient.co.uk/selfhelp.asp/ for a list of self help and support groups for cancer.

References

• Epithelial ovarian cancer: SIGN (2003)
• Cancer Management 9th Edition 2005: Edited by Richard Pazdur et al.
• Agustin A Garcia: Ovarian Cancer eMedicine Article dated June 2006
• UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening
• Lacey JV Jr, Greene MH, Buys SS, et al: Ovarian cancer screening in women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Nov;108(5):1176-84. [abstract]

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS and PiP have used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.

© EMIS and PiP 2007 Updated: 17th March 2009 DocID: 4834 Version: 38

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