Information
Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common malignancy in females in the UK accounting for 4275 deaths per year. Five thousand new cases are diagnosed each year – an incidence of 20.3 per 100 000 of the population.
Ovarian carcinoma accounts for a quarter of all genital tract cancer but is responsible for more than half the deaths, primarily due to its late presentation.
Who to refer:
All patients with USS suspicious of ovarian malignancy and/or elevated CA125 level should be referred as USOC to gynaecology
Patients who have a simple cyst identified on USS and normal CA125 please see RefHelp guidelines on Ovarian Cyst
Please ensure patients have USS prior to referral and CA125 pending
Who not to refer:
Do not refer without prior pelvic USS and CA 125. A new pelvic mass on clinical examination may represent benign disease (e.g. fibroids) in some women.
How to refer:
Sci-Gateway > RIE> Gynaecology> Ovarian Pathology>USOC
Please perform abdominal and pelvic examination on all women suspected of having ovarian cancer
Organise urgent pelvic USS
Measure CA125 (not during menstruation)
NICE clinical guideline CG122. Ovarian cancer: recognition and initial management: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg122
British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS) Epithelial Ovarian / Fallopian Tube / Primary Peritoneal Cancer Guidelines: Recommendations for Practice https://www.bgcs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BGCS-Guidelines-Ovarian-Guidelines-2017.pdf
Scottish cancer referral guidelines: http://www.cancerreferral.scot.nhs.uk/
