What are the criteria to screen for ovarian cancer?
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Answer
There are no universally accepted criteria for screening for ovarian cancer.
- The two main screening methods are transvaginal ultrasound and the measurement of serum tumor markers, specifically CA-125
- These methods are typically used in women with a high genetic risk due to inherited gene mutations (BRCA1/2) or a strong family history
- For instance, ESMO 2016 guidelines recommend obtaining transvaginal ultrasound and serum CA-125 every 6 months starting at the age of 30 in BRCA mutation carriers, until risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy
- Similarly, ACOG/SGO 2017 guidelines suggest screening transvaginal ultrasound or serum CA-125 for short-term surveillance in patients at high risk of ovarian cancer, starting at age 30-35 years until risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy