Ovarian cancer screening.
OBJECTIVE
This review presents the current knowledge on ovarian cancer screening (OCS) together with a cumulative evaluation of the efficacy across diverse screening approaches based on up-to-date results.


METHODS
An electronic literature search was conducted targeting reports on the effectiveness of the various screening strategies.


RESULTS
Twenty-two prospective studies, 18 cohorts and 4 randomised control trials (RCTs) were retrieved. Where possible, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values, as well as the number needed to treat for each cancer (NNT) and each stage I disease [NNT (I)] detected are reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The multimodal approach that incorporates CA125 as a primary and ultrasound as a secondary test appears to be superior to other strategies. However, the conclusive end-point that would provide the acceptable level of evidence for the introduction of screening should be a reduction in mortality. Up-to-date, there is no such evidence to justify this.
Kyrgiou
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hammersmith Hospital, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, W12 OHS.
Tsoumpou
I
I
Martin-Hirsch
P
P
Arbyn
M
M
Prendiville
W
W
Koliopoulos
G
G
Dalkalitsis
N
N
Stamatopoulos
P
P
Paraskevaidis
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies