Ovarian & fallopian tube cancer

A routine pelvic exam allows your doctor to identify any abnormal masses or changes in the size or shape of your ovaries and uterus. While early-stage ovarian cancer can be difficult to detect this way, a pelvic exam remains a primary source of information and can point to the need for further testing.

This imaging test uses sound waves to create a picture of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. It involves inserting a small probe into the vagina to provide a close-up image of any irregularities. This could reveal abnormalities like cysts or tumors.

CA-125 is a protein found in higher levels in many women with ovarian cancer. The blood test measures the amount of this protein present within an individual. While this test on its own is not diagnostic for cancer, it can be a powerful aid during an evaluation, especially in postmenopausal women or those with other risk factors.

If a mass is identified within the ovaries or the fallopian tubes, imaging tests can offer more detailed information. These scans can help physicians understand the size, precise location and whether cancer has spread to other parts of the anatomy including lymph nodes or other organs.

The most definitive way to diagnose cancer is through a biopsy procedure. This involves removing a small sample of tissue to be examined under a microscope. If cancer is strongly suspected, surgery may be performed to remove the tissues and determine the stage of cancer. Understanding the stage of cancer then helps physicians guide treatment decisions.

Surgery often plays a role in treatment. Depending on your stage of cancer and if it has spread, this may include removing one or both ovaries, fallopian tubes and/or the uterus if those tissues are also affected.

Chemotherapy is a standard treatment that may be given before or after surgery. Endeavor Health also uses targeted therapies that block specific mechanisms that cancer cells use to grow and survive.