Ultrasound test detects 96% of ovarian cancers in postmenopausal women

An ultrasound test which detected 96% of ovarian cancers in postmenopausal women is set to replace the current standard of care test in the UK, according to a new study.

In an article published in The Lancet Oncology Today, research led by Professor Sudha Sundar from the University of Birmingham compared head to head all currently available tests for diagnosing ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women in a high-quality study into the accuracy diagnostic tests.

Of the six diagnostic tests studied, the IOTA ADNEX model which looks at ultrasound characteristics (what the lump looked like on ultrasound) had the best accuracy of all and could detect up to 96% of women with breast cancer. the ovary.

The ultrasound test significantly outperforms the current standard of care in the UK and we therefore recommend that the IOTA ADNEX ultrasound model replaces the current standard of care test called the Risk of Malignancy Test (RMI1) in the UK, which identifies 83 % of ovarian cancers. .

Sudha Sundar, professor of gynecological cancer at the University of Birmingham and consultant in gynecological cancer surgery at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said:

“This is the first time that a comparative study of all available tests for ovarian cancer has been carried out in the same population. Here, we studied their use in symptomatic postmenopausal women who are at highest risk of develop this cancer. Our trial found that the IOTA ADNEX ultrasound protocol had the highest sensitivity for detecting ovarian cancer compared to standard of care and other tests.

“The ultrasound test also works well when performed by a qualified sonographer who has received specific training, certification and quality assurance, and as the vast majority of ultrasounds are performed by sonographers, it is important that a new standard can be delivered by as many people as possible as many clinical professionals as possible.

“We found that the higher sensitivity of the IOTA ADNEX model is likely to lead to some women who do not have cancer also being reported as having a higher risk of cancer. We have, however, discussed this at length with patients , a cancer charity Target Ovarian Cancer and NHS experts, who all agreed that in postmenopausal women who are at higher risk of ovarian cancer, recruiting more women. with cancer would benefit women as a whole.

Annwen Jones OBE, chief executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is vital, and we are pleased to see this research demonstrate that there are more accurate ways to use ultrasound . The sooner and faster ovarian cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat and the more positive the results.

“Alongside this innovative research, we need to see greater awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer so that women know to attend their GP for a test and receive the best possible treatment as quickly as possible. possible. It is crucial that new ways of working, such as these, are deployed as quickly as possible.

The research team notes that the IOTA ADNEX model achieved 96% accuracy when provided by properly trained and quality assured NHS sonographers. As most examinations around the world are carried out by sonographers rather than gynecologists, free introductory online resources have been created by researchers to enable NHS staff to undertake specialist ultrasound training and gain certification and quality assurance.