Society of Gynecologic Oncology document reviews etiology, risks, early detection
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 13 (HealthDay News) -- The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) has issued a comprehensive white paper -- as part the organization's professional GynecoLogic Cancer Collaborative education program -- that provides an overview of and background on the screening, diagnosis, and management of ovarian cancer. The report is published in the October issue of Gynecologic Oncology.
Each year approximately 200,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer worldwide annually, and 125,000 die of the disease. According to the white paper, numerous risk factors for ovarian cancer have been identified, with approximately 10 percent of ovarian cancers caused by a genetic predisposition. Salpingo-oophorectomy is the best option for preventing ovarian cancer among high-risk women with germline mutations, the authors write, with oral contraceptive use significantly reducing the risk of the disease within the general population.
According to the paper, there is little evidence that routine screening for ovarian cancer in either high-risk or general populations with serum markers, sonograms, or pelvic examinations reduces mortality risk, and to date, CA125 tumor antigen is the only biomarker recommended for monitoring therapy and detecting recurrence. The white paper also outlines recommendations for screening and surveillance of recurrent disease.
"Articles such as this white paper and the GynecoLogic program supply us with the collective data necessary to inform women about early symptoms and assist other medical professionals in identifying patients who may benefit from a referral to a gynecologic oncologist for further, diagnostic review," SGO President Daniel Clarke-Pearson, M.D., said in a statement.
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