Tests for ovarian cancer
- Tumour marker – CA125
- Ultrasound scan
- Computerised Tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan
- Laparoscopy
- Ascitic or peritoneal tap – removal of fluid from the abdominal cavity if there is a build up of it (it is called ascites and can be related to cancer cells growing around the abdomen-so-called peritoneal seeding). Primary peritoneal cancer presents like this.
There is no national screening programme for early ovarian cancer but a trial of screening is underway involving a large number of women at normal risk. Women at high risk of ovarian cancer are screened outside the trial; these are women who have a family history of ovarian cancer or another related cancer at a young age.
Click on the link for details of:
Amended April 2008
