Ovarian Colorado
Information for the Public
Overview
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 20,180 new cases of ovarian cancer were diagnosed in 2006, and more than 15,310 women died as a result of the disease. Although ovarian cancer accounts for only 4% of all cancers in women, it is the fifth leading cause of death from cancer. Ovarian cancer is the second most common cancer of the reproductive tract, but more women die from ovarian cancer than uterine and cervical cancer combined. A woman’s lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is approximately 1 in 55.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS SAVES LIVES
Recent studies indicate that almost 90% of women diagnosed with early stage ovarian cancer present with symptoms before that diagnosis. Early diagnosis means improved mortality rates.
Mortality Rates
The significant mortality rates associated with ovarian cancer are primarily the result of delayed diagnosis. In fact, about 75% of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed at Stage III or IV when the 5 year survival rate is approximately 66% for patients with regionally advanced disease, and 28% for patients with distant metastases. If these women were diagnosed at Stage I, the 5 year survival rate might be close to 90%, depending on the type of tumor.
Referral to a Gyn-oncologist
In December 2002, the Committee on Gynecological Practices published an ACOG Committee Opinion providing guidance in the role of the generalist obstetrician-gynecologist in the early detection of ovarian cancer. One of the points of this paper is the recommendation that a patient who is suspected of having ovarian cancer be referred to a gyn-oncologist for surgical staging in a hospital with the appropriate support and consultative services such as pathology. It has been found that women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have better survival rates when surgery is performed by a gyn-oncologist.