What Is an Ovarian Cancer Ultrasound?

Ovarian cancer is known as the silent killer because it is usually symptomless until it is in an advanced stage. Doctors can find evidence of the cancer, however, by using an ovarian cancer ultrasound, which detects tumors by the use of sound waves and the echoes they create as they bounce off the ovaries. Normal ovarian tissue reflects a different sound wave than an ovarian tumor.

The possible symptoms of ovarian cancer can often be found in perfectly healthy women, which means they are not reliable indicators. Menstrual changes, pelvic or abdominal pain, the need to urinate often and constipation are common to many women and may be symptoms of many conditions. When these symptoms are caused by ovarian cancer, however, they are persistent and a divergence from normal bodily functions and habits. Any woman who suddenly develops these symptoms and finds that they continue for more than a few weeks should consult a gynecologist, who may decide to do an ovarian cancer ultrasound.

An ovarian cancer ultrasound may be conducted over the abdomen area or by a probe inserted into the vagina. Both methods are able to detect whether the ovaries are of normal size and surface texture, as well as whether there are any cysts within the ovaries. They are also able to detect whether there are any solid areas, which may be an indication of cancer. There are many conditions, however, that can appear on the ultrasound and be mistaken for cancer, such as benign ovarian cysts.

Two large studies have been conducted in the United States and the United Kingdom with the idea of finding ovarian cancer through a blood test, called the Ca-125, and a transvaginal or ovarian cancer ultrasound. The tests have been successful in finding cancer in the early stages, but the use of these methods as standard screening procedures has been rejected so far. The incidence of ovarian cancer is quite low, and the likelihood of a positive result on both tests could be ascribed to many other conditions.

For every 100 positive blood tests, only one will be because there is cancer. Furthermore, negative tests are wrong half of the time in women who do have ovarian cancer. The predictive values of the Ca-125 and the ovarian cancer ultrasound technique are too low to be of value to the general population.