Note: Separate PDQ summaries on Ovarian Cancer Prevention; Ovarian Epithelial Cancer Treatment; Ovarian Germ Cell Tumor Treatment; and Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumor Treatment are also available.

CA 125 Levels, Transvaginal Ultrasound, and Pelvic Examinations

Statement of benefit

There is inadequate evidence to determine whether routine screening for ovarian cancer with serum markers such as CA 125 levels, transvaginal ultrasound, or pelvic examinations would result in a decrease in mortality from ovarian cancer.

Description of the Evidence

• STUDY DESIGN: Evidence obtained from cohort studies.
• INTERNAL VALIDITY: Poor.
• CONSISTENCY: No studies have evaluated the impact on mortality from ovarian cancer.
• MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS ON HEALTH OUTCOMES: Not applicable.
• EXTERNAL VALIDITY: Not applicable.

Statement of harms

Based on solid evidence, routine screening for ovarian cancer would result in many diagnostic laparoscopies and laparotomies for each ovarian cancer found.

Description of the Evidence

• STUDY DESIGN: Evidence obtained from cohort studies.
• INTERNAL VALIDITY: Good.
• CONSISTENCY: Volume of evidence is limited but consistent and coherent.
• MAGNITUDE OF EFFECTS ON HEALTH OUTCOMES: The number of surgeries performed per invasive cancer diagnosed with combination screening using CA 125 measures and transvaginal ultrasound is about 30.
• EXTERNAL VALIDITY: Good.