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Essentials of Diagnosis
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Symptoms include vague gastrointestinal discomfort, pelvic pressure or pain
Many cases of early-stage cancer are asymptomatic
Pelvic examination and ultrasound are mainstays of diagnosis
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General Considerations
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Ovarian tumors are common
Most are benign, but malignant ovarian tumors are the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer
The wide range of types and patterns of ovarian tumors is due to the complexity of ovarian embryology and differences in tissues of origin (eTable 18–3)
Ultrasound or tumor marker screening for women with one or no affected first-degree relatives has not been shown to reduce mortality from ovarian cancer, and the risks associated with unnecessary prophylactic surgical procedures outweigh the benefits in low-risk women
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