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Ask Dr. Carolle |
 How come a yearly sonogram is not part of the routine check up for women to rule out ovarian cancer?
 Ovarian cancer ranks fourth among all cancers as a cause of death in women and is responsible for more deaths than any other gynecological cancer. On an annual basis there are approximately 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed each year, and about 11,000 deaths due to this disease.
Because the growth of ovarian cancer is so insidious and difficult to diagnose, it is the deadliest type of cancer in women. Often consisting of small growths that can quietly spread throughout the abdominal region, ovarian cancer is rarely diagnosed at an early stage. Over 60 percent of ovarian cancers are found in women between the ages of 40 and 60, 20 percent occur in women over the age of 40, and 20 percent occur in women over 60. Signs and symptoms vary, but most patients will come to their health-care provider complaining of spreading abdominal girth or a vague sensation of abdominal or pelvic pressure.
Following the death of actress/comedian Gilda Radner in her 30's from ovarian cancer there were many studies done to try to find an accurate testing
method to diagnose ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, there is no definite test for ovarian cancer in the early stages. Two possibilities include a test called the CA-125, and a pelvic ultrasound. The CA-125 is not specific for ovarian cancers, it can read positive for many other benign diseases. An ultrasound or sonogram of the pelvis is a diagnostic technique that uses sound waves to produce images of internal body conditions. Although it can help differentiate between a cyst and a solid mass on the ovaries, it does not conclusively diagnose cancer. A woman with a normal sonogram can still have ovarian cancer.
The only way to guard against the progression of ovarian cancer is to stay on a schedule of yearly pelvic exams, during which palpation (checking with the hands) by your health-care provider may detect abnormal fullness or growth.
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