A new blood test, developed by researchers at the University of Uppsala (Sweden), shows promise in the possibility of more accurate diagnoses of ovarian cancer, without the need for surgery, since, as explained by researchers, so far Most women who had surgery for suspected ovarian cancer did not have cancer.
The study, published in Communications Biology, ensures that ovarian cancer is often discovered at a late stage and has a high mortality rate. Out of ten patients, only 3 or 4 survive five years after treatment. In addition, women with accidental findings of an ovarian cyst or with symptoms undergo an ultrasound and, if abnormalities are observed, surgery is the only way to ensure that all tumors are detected. “We need to develop more precise presurgical diagnoses, there is a great need for a simple blood test that could identify women who do not need surgery,” said Karin Sundfeldt, a professor at the University of Gothenburg.
In the study, researchers have developed a biomarker test based on the analysis of 11 proteins. The test, which is performed on a blood sample, is used when ultrasound has indicated abnormalities to identify women without cancer. For cases in which doctors decide to operate, the cancer rate could increase from one in five to one in three. This would greatly reduce unnecessary surgery and the risk of complications related to it.
The results of the study “are promising enough to consider early detection of ovarian cancer. We also see great possibilities to develop a strategy to detect ovarian cancer, which could save lives and minimize the need for surgery to rule out cancer, “the researchers explained.