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What is a ca125 test?
Blood levels of CA 125 are used primarily to monitor the treatment of ovarian cancer. A falling CA 125 level usually indicates that cancer is responding to the treatment.
What type of cancer does a pap smear test for?
A pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. It can't diagnose cancer, but can determine which women need further testing. Occasionally, the pap smear can happen to find signs of endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining), but a normal test doesn't eliminate the possibility of endometrial cancer. The Pap smear process can also check for cancer of the vagina or anal cancer, but it is used for those purposes only in specific circumstances. A pap smear does not check for ovarian cancer.
Can an anoscopy diagnose cancer?
The test is also used to diagnose rectal cancer
How is ovarian cancer treated in alternative medicine?
There are many alternative treatments available to help with ovarian cancer. Alternative treatments can be used in conjunction with, or separate from, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Learning About Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths and the deadliest gynecologic cancer in the United States. It often goes undetected as its symptoms are similar to those of other ailments. There is no test designed for early detection, unlike how a pap smear is used for early detection of cervical cancer. In 85% of cases, the cancer isn't detected until it's spread beyond the ovaries. Symptoms Symptoms of ovarian cancer do exist, but they are often vague and not seen as anything serious. They often are seen as symptomatic of digestive disorders. Common symptoms are: Abdominal pressure, swelling, bloating, or fullness Pelvic pain or discomfort Low back pain Persistent indigestion, nausea, or gas Changes in bowel habits Loss of appetite Lack of energy Increase in abdomen size, especially at the waist Diagnosis There are several ways to diagnose ovarian cancer, including a pelvic exam, ultrasound, and surgery to remove tissue samples for a biopsy. There is also the CA 125 blood test, which measures the levels of a protein found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells. This test is often not used as women in the early stages of ovarian cancer tend to have normal levels of CA 125. Treatment Surgery is often used to treat ovarian cancer. It involves either the removal of an ovary and Fallopian tube or a hysterectomy. Any other tissue showing cancerous cells will be removed. Chemotherapy and radiation are other treatments, either on their own or after surgery. Risk Factors Every woman is at risk for developing this cancer. Other factors are older age, never giving birth either by choice or infertility, endometriosis, and a family history of ovarian, breast or colon cancer. Around 10% of cases are due to genetics and there is genetic testing to help determine if you are at risk. Facts and Statistics It is estimated that one in 71 women will develop ovarian cancer in her lifetime. Only 19% of cases are detected early. It is also estimated that there will be over 22,000 new diagnoses in 2013 and nearly 14,000 deaths. The 5-year survival rate is over 90%. There is currently research being done by the National Cancer Institute to find early detection methods and ways to prevent this cancer. Considering 3% of cancer in women is ovarian in nature, preventing and detecting it is of utmost importance.
Medical test called Papanicolaou?
The Papanicolaou Test, also called a Pap test or Pap smear is used to detect cervical cancer. A variation, the anal Pap is used to detect anal cancer.
What is noratin used for?
Noratin is a medication used to treat certain types of cancers, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and lung cancer. It works by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. It is often used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.
On average how many people with Endometriosis get ovarian cancer?
From the book Endometriosis: The Complete Reference for Taking Charge of Your Health by Mary Lou Ballweg: A 1992 study concluded that ovarian endo increases the risk for ovarian cancer, especially in postmenopausal women. Of the women in the study with endometrioid ovarian cancer, 26% had endometriosis. A Japanese study concluded that a type of ovarian endo with atypical cells possesses precancerous potential. It should be noted that many women with endo have used fertility drugs, which can also increase the risk of ovarian cancer.Please refer to Mary Lou's book and to the Endometriosis Association at EndometriosisAssn.org for more information.
CA-125?
DefinitionCA-125 is a test used to evaluate ovarian cancer treatment. CA-125 is a protein that is found more in ovarian cancer cells than in other cells. This protein enters the bloodstream and can be measured by a blood test.There are two CA-125 tests: a first generation test and a second generation test. The second generation test is now more widely used and is generally more accurate.How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.How to prepare for the testNo preparation is necessary.How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.Why the test is performedThe test is often used to follow women who have already been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In these cases, the CA-125 is a very good indicator of whether a patient is responding to treatment, and whether a patient remains in remission after treatment. In general, the CA-125 is not a good test to screen healthy women for ovarian cancer.The test may also be done if a woman has symptoms or findings on ultrasound that suggest ovarian cancer.Normal ValuesThe normal values for a CA-125 depend on the lab running the test. In general, levels above 35 U/mL are considered abnormal.Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.What abnormal results meanIn a woman with known ovarian cancer, a rise in CA-125 usually means that the disease has progressed or recurred. A decrease in CA-125 usually means the disease is responding to treatment.In a woman who has NOT already been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, an elevated CA-125 can mean a number of things. While it can indicate that she has ovarian cancer, it can also indicate other types of cancer, as well as several benign diseases such as endometriosis.When used in healthy women, an elevated CA-125 usually does NOT mean ovarian cancer is present. The vast majority of healthy women with an elevated CA-125 do not have ovarian cancer (or any other cancer for that matter). The "false positive" rate for this group of women is high.Any woman with an abnormal CA-125 test will need further tests, and sometimes invasive surgical procedures, to confirm the result. These additional tests all involve risks and anxiety.Therefore, the CA-125 should not be considered an effective general screening test for ovarian cancer. Studies are underway to determine whether it might be effective when combined with other blood tests or radiologic studies.What the risks areVeins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:Excessive bleedingFainting or feeling light-headedHematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)ReferencesDann RB, et al. Strategies for ovarian cancer prevention. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2007;34(4):667-686.Goonewardene TI, et al. Management of asymptomatic patients on follow-up for ovarian cancer with rising CA-125 concentrations. Lancet Oncol. 2007;8(9):813-821.National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Ovarian cancer. 2009; v2.
What is the Papanicolau test used to detect?
The Papanicolaou test, also known as a Pap smear, is a screening test used to detect abnormal cervical cells, which may indicate cervical cancer or pre-cancerous changes. It is an important tool for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.
Is CA-125 a fasting test?
No, CA-125 is not a fasting test. It is a blood test that measures the level of the protein CA-125 in the blood and is often used to monitor certain types of cancers, particularly ovarian cancer, and other conditions. No special preparation, such as fasting, is typically required before taking this test.
Why does ovarian cancer show the most aggressive growth?
Not always but it is considered one of the most aggresive. If a biopsy is done on it the cancer can spread by following the tract of the needle used to biopsy it. Biopsies used to be done on ovarian but they learned the hard way that you must surgicaly remove them instead.
