Why Is Ovarian Cancer So Hard to Diagnose?

By
Mary Desroches
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4How to Diagnose Ovarian Cancer

As said above, there is currently no screening test to diagnose ovarian cancer. A doctor tends to combine several tests to find out whether a tumor is present in the ovaries. Based on the results, some other procedures may be suggested to verify whether they are cancerous or not. Common diagnostic tests include:

– Blood test may help measure the levels of cancer antigen 125. People with ovarian cancer or other forms may have elevated levels of this biomaker.

– Transvaginal ultrasound: During this procedure, the doctor will put a small device in the vagina, which makes pictures of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries to help detect cancerous cells.

– Pelvic exam: a doctor may feel the pelvic and abdominal area to look for signs of enlarged ovaries.

– Surgical staging: In this procedure, the doctor will take a biopsy of tumor tissue to determine whether it is cancerous.

Other possible diagnostic tests include chest X-ray, colonoscopy, or PET scan. [6]

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