Ovarian cancer is a cancer that forms in or on an ovary. It results in abnormal cells that can invade or spread to other parts of the body. Common areas to which the cancer may spread include the lining of the abdomen, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver.
There are different types of tests to check for the cancer and its growth inside the body.
Physical Exam
Your doctor will first take your history and do a physical exam to look for signs of ovarian cancer. These include an enlarged ovary (on a pelvic exam) and signs of fluid in the abdomen (which is called ascites).
Consultation With A Specialist
If the results of your pelvic exam or other tests suggest that you have ovarian cancer, you will need a doctor or surgeon who specializes in treating women with this type of cancer, a gynaecologic oncologist.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
For a PET scan, radioactive glucose (sugar) is given to look for the cancer. Because cancers use glucose at a higher rate than normal tissues, the radioactivity will tend to concentrate in the cancer.
Blood tests
Blood count tests make sure you have enough red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. There will also be tests to measure your kidney and liver function as well as your general health status. Women who have a high CA-125 level are often referred to a gynaecologic oncologist.