Source: PLoS Medicine, July 28, 2009
Early detection of ovarian cancer (at less than 1 cm) continues to elude medical providers according to researchers. Currently, ovarian cancers are detected only in advanced stages resulting in high mortality (death rate) and a poor prognosis.
The majority of deaths to ovarian cancer are cause by serous tumors. Unfortunately, these tumors are rarely larger than a few millimeters in the early stages. The researchers, funded by the Canary Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, found that serous tumors spend at least 4 years in Stage I and II and as little as 1 year in stage III or IV before becoming clinically apparent. Not promising news.
To achieve a 50% reduction on death to serous ovarian cancer, the annual screening test would be required to detect tumors of 0.5 cm in diameter. Unfortunately for women with this pathology, there are currently no tests for ovarian cancer which are that sensitive. Despite the prevalence of ovarian cancer research on more sensitive screening is only in it’s infancy.
posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esq.
Become a Fan of the Lewis Law Firm on Facebook
Preliminary results for early detection of ovarian cancer now become a reality published in journal Lancet Oncology.
Your information is inspiring to me and these things did help to others. Thanks for sharing this!