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Pelvic Mass Assessment

Pelvic Mass Assessment


Roughly 20% of women will develop a pelvic mass in their lifetimes. Imaging, single analyte serum testing, and physical exam are common methods to assess pelvic masses for malignancy. However, multiple studies have shown that these individual modalities can miss many cancers, as the sensitivity of these tests is typically low for early stage cancers, premenopausal patients and certain ovarian cancer subtypes.

Effectiveness of Common Modalities

Graphic showing pelvic exam 44% of ovaries were palpable
Graphic showing imaging 77% sensitivity for OV CA
Graphic showing clinical assessment 74% sensitivity for OV Ca
Graphic showing CA-125II 74% sensitivity for OV Ca

The Status Quo

Traditionally, imaging and clinical assessment are the most relied-upon methods of assessing pelvic masses for malignancy. This routine method of identifying ovarian cancer has limitations due to the following reasons:

  • Indeterminate findings in imaging6
  • Interobserver variation in imaging7
  • Variability in patient disclosure of ovarian cancer risk factors
  • Low sensitivity for early stage cancers and in premenopausal patients8,9

Serum Testing

CA-125II is commonly thought of as a tool for risk assessment as elevated levels may coincide with the presence of advanced ovarian cancer. However, CA-125II alone is not cleared for use to evaluate ovarian masses prior to surgery. Up to 50% of early stage cancers are not detected by the cancer antigen marker. Rather, the FDA cleared CA-125II for monitoring patients who already have ovarian cancer, to facilitate treatment and cancer surveillance. Multiple studies have shown that CA-125II is currently ordered inappropriately, with only one-third of the tests used as intended.10,11

Many common singly analytes are not intended by the FDA to detect a broad range of ovarian cancers. These include:

Analyte(s)Clinical UseCancer Type
CA-125IIMonitoring disease progression, response to therapyOvarian
HE4Monitoring recurrence or progression of diseaseOvarian
AFP, LDH, hCGAid in diagnosis, management and prognosisOvarian (germ cell)
CA19-9Monitoring disease statusPancreatic
CEAAid in management and prognosisNot specified (commonly for colorectal)