High-Risk Ovarian Cancer Service
The High-Risk Ovarian Cancer Service combines the latest medical and scientific knowledge with the most advanced surveillance and diagnostic methods.
The services of the program are coordinated by Kristin Zorn, MD. Her expertise in the management of ovarian cancer provides women assurance about their condition and offers sound individualized ovarian cancer surveillance, prevention, and management recommendations.
Women and their family members concerned about ovarian cancer can undergo an evaluation by a team of cancer specialists which includes:
Who Should be Evaluated?
- women and their family members who are concerned about their risk of developing ovarian cancer due to a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, or colon cancer
- women who desire a comprehensive evaluation including screening tests and consultation with an ovarian cancer specialist
The staff of the High-Risk Ovarian Cancer Service includes a social worker to help women deal with the risk of cancer.
Women may be invited to participate in ongoing research studies. Our primary goal, however, is to provide appropriate care and there is no requirement to participate in research activities.
The High-Risk Ovarian Cancer Service is located at Hillman Cancer Center, 5115 Centre Avenue, directly across from UPMC Shadyside. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 412-623-3425.
Cancer Risk Assessment
Women faced with the fear of ovarian cancer are concerned for their own well-being as well as that of their sisters and daughters. Additionally, women with benign gynecologic disease or abnormal symptoms are uncertain if the condition places them at increased risk for developing ovarian cancer. A brief cancer risk assessment and counseling session is conducted by a genetic counselor to evaluate risk factors, help women understand how various factors influence their risk, and provide information on appropriate steps to cope with or reduce that risk.
Screening Tests
Screening for cancer is an examination of people for early stage disease even though they have no symptoms. Current techniques available for ovarian cancer screening have not been proven to find early-stage ovarian cancers or decrease mortality, therefore there are no tools for widespread screening. Unlike mammograms to screen for breast cancer and Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer, a reliable single test for early detection of ovarian cancer is not yet available.
Women at increased risk for developing ovarian cancer may benefit from ovarian cancer screening and the use of multiple tests can improve the reliability of ovarian cancer screening results. If a woman's risk for developing the disease is above average, it is important to monitor her health. The sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better a woman’s chance for recovery.
Ovarian cancer screening tests conducted may include:
- pelvic examination
This is an examination of the vagina, rectum, and lower abdomen to determine if detectable masses or growths are present.
- transvaginal ultrasonography
This procedure is an ultrasound examination using a probe placed into the vagina. The effectiveness of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool is well proven. Use of this technique as a screening tool for early ovarian cancer detection is currently being studied in clinical trials.
- CA 125 serum tumor marker
Blood samples are collected and screened for laboratory measurement of CA 125 levels, a tumor marker that may indicate the presence of ovarian cancer cells. Elevated CA 125 is not always found in women with ovarian cancer and it may be present in women who have other types of cancer or noncancerous conditions.
Genetic Counseling and Testing
Although most ovarian cancers occur in women who do not have a strong family history of the disease, about 5 to 10 percent are linked to a genetic predisposition for the disease. Researchers have identified certain genes that, when changed or mutated, increase a woman’s risk. Women who have a BRCA gene mutation have up to an 80 percent lifetime risk of breast cancer, and a 15 to 45 percent lifetime risk of ovarian cancer.
Depending on their personal and family history, some women may decide to have specific genes studied. Genetic testing information may help some people learn whether or not they have an increased likelihood of developing certain cancers or whether inherited factors have contributed to their own or a family member's cancer. This information may also help women make medical decisions. Learn more about cancer genetics.