OVARIAN INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA AND OVARIAN-CANCER

Ovarian cancer accounts for only 4% of cancers in women, but it is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies in the United St ates. The high mortality rate from ovarian cancer is primarily because of the difficulty in detecting the disease in early stages; the disea se tends to be asymptomatic until it is well advanced. There are curre ntly no convincing data to support extensive screening although a numb er of studies looking at this issue are under way. Annual rectovaginal pelvic exam, testing of CA 125 level, and transvaginal ultrasonograph y may be indicated in high-risk women. Oral contraceptive use appears to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.