Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancy in the United States. Approximately 22,240 cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2013 with an expected 14,030 deaths attributable to ovarian cancer [1]. The lifetime probability of a woman in the US developing ovarian cancer is less than 2 percent [2]. Worldwide in 2008, ovarian cancer was the seventh most common cancer in women, and incidence rates are highest in developed countries [3]. There were 225,500 new cases of ovarian cancer worldwide. The incidence of ovarian cancer increases with age; the highest proportion of cases are diagnosed in women 50 to 59 years of age. Interest in early detection as a method of reducing mortality has grown with the discovery of serum tumor markers associated with ovarian malignancies (particularly CA 125) and with improved diagnostic accuracy of pelvic ultrasonography. Intensive research is ongoing to identify additional markers and a cost-effective screening strategy. One large-scale prospective clinical screening trial found that screening did not reduce mortality from ovarian cancer but did result in harm from consequent follow-up; two other large trials are in progress to determine whether screening by blood tests and/or ultrasound reduces mortality from ovarian cancer.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 02:09:02 +0000
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