Ovarian cancer screening: Current status and future directions

• Published in: Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology Vol. 65; pp. 32 - 45
• Main Authors: Nash, Zachary, Menon, Usha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2020
• Subjects: Biomarkers, Tumor - blood; CA-125 Antigen - blood; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial - blood; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial - diagnosis; Early detection; Early Detection of Cancer - methods; Female; Humans; Mass Screening - methods; Mass Screening - trends; Ovarian cancer; Ovarian Neoplasms - blood; Ovarian Neoplasms - diagnosis; Ovariectomy - methods; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Screening; Sensitivity and Specificity; Screening; Early detection; Ovarian cancer
• ISSN: 1521-6934; 1532-1932; 1532-1932
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2020.02.010

Ovarian cancer is the third most common gynaecological malignancy and the most lethal worldwide. Most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease which carries significant mortality. Improvements in treatment have only resulted in modest increases in survival. This has driven efforts to reduce mortality through screening. Multimodal ovarian cancer screening using a longitudinal CA125 algorithm has resulted in diagnosis at an earlier stage, both in average and high risk women in two large UK trials. However, no randomised controlled trial has demonstrated a definitive mortality benefit. Extended follow up is underway in the largest trial to date, UKCTOCS, to explore the delayed reduction in mortality that was noted. Meanwhile, screening is not currently recommended in the general population Some countries offer surveillance of high risk women. Novel screening modalities and longitudinal biomarker algorithms offer potential improvements to future screening strategies as does the development of better risk stratification tools. •Screening for ovarian cancer is not currently recommended for the general population.•Extended follow up of the largest trial to date, the UKCTOCS, aims to confirm delayed mortality benefit.•Novel biomarkers and screening strategies have the potential to improve screening further.