Ovarian cancer is the third most common cancer among women and is difficult to diagnose at early stages. A new blood test may aid in ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Early detection of cancer is crucial for effective treatment. However, diagnosing ovarian cancer can be difficult due to the deep location of the ovaries in the body. Symptoms of the malignant tumor often remain unnoticed until the cancer has grown large enough to press against other organs. Unlike cervical and breast cancers, there are currently no screening tests available to detect ovarian cancer.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have created a new blood test to detect certain types of free nucleic acids (cfDNA). This test can differentiate between malignant pelvic cancers and benign tumors, which can help doctors decide whether surgical intervention is necessary for suspicious masses and determine the most appropriate surgical approach.
The study conducted by Southern California University has successfully distinguished malignant tumors in over 91 cases. The study collected 370 blood samples from patients who were already diagnosed with ovarian cancer and healthy women who did not have cancer.
A new test might be able to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages, which could become part of routine screening for women. However, current laboratory tests are still not effective in detecting ovarian cancer early. Although CA125 is a laboratory test that can help evaluate treatment effectiveness, it is not specific to ovarian cancer and cannot be used for diagnosis. Similarly, ultrasound imaging is also considered ineffective in detecting ovarian cancer early.