Ovarian Carcinoma

Question 1

Clinical features of ovarian carcinoma?

Answer 1

Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Increasing abdominal girth
Ascites

Question 2

Why is ovarian carcinoma such a problem despite having such a characteristic presentation?

Answer 2

Symptoms of ovarian malignancy usually occur late meaning the disease is often advanced and metastatic at presentation

Question 3

4 investigations necessary in diagnosis/assessment of ovarian malignancy?

Answer 3

Transvaginal US scan
CT imaging
Ovarian biopsy
CA 125 measurement

Question 4

Treatment of ovarian carcinoma?

Answer 4

Chemotherapy + surgery both have curative and palliative roles, depending on state at presentation
- radiotherapy is now limited to palliation of symptoms

Question 5

Prognosis of ovarian carcinoma, both usually and diagnosed early?

Answer 5

Usually poor - late presentation

If diagnosed early and treated appropriately, survival rates for early-stage can be as high as 95% at 5 years from diagnosis