In 1997, it is estimated that 26,800 new cases will be diagnosed and 14,200 women will die of ovarian cancer.
Cancers detected by pelvic examination are often far advanced.
Ultrasound is widely used for diagnostic testing for pelvic masses, but is limited in its usefulness as a screening tool by high rates of false-positive results and low positive predictive value. Studies on the effectiveness of ultrasound for screening are limited by small sample sizes, limited follow-up, and the use of nonrandomized volunteers. Routine ultrasound screening of asymptomatic women generates a high proportion of false-positive results, which require laparoscopy or laparotomy. It has been estimated that ultrasound screening of 100,000 women over age 45 would detect 40 cases of ovarian cancer, with 5,398 false-positive results and more than 160 complications from laparoscopy. The high association between stage of diagnosis and survival from ovarian cancer suggests that screening or early detection could decrease mortality association with ovarian cancer, but the role of lead and length-time bias remains unresolved.