The temporal stability of the Symptom Index among women at high-risk for ovarian cancer

Abstract

Objective-To evaluate the temporal stability of self-reported symptoms known to be associated with ovarian cancer.Methods-This report is a longitudinal analysis of symptom reporting from 123 women who participated in the Seattle-based Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Study (OCEDS). The OCEDS population includes women at increased risk of ovarian cancer based on a family history of cancer or a BRCA I/II mutation. Data on symptoms were collected at two time points using a Symptoms Index that included abdominal pain, pelvic pain, feeling full quickly, inability to eat normally, abdominal bloating, and increased abdominal size.Results-There was a median of 101 days between the two time points, with a range of 72-332 days. The median age of the women was 51, with a range of 32-79 years. Abdominal bloating was the most commonly reported symptom at both time points. The symptom least commonly reported at the two time points was inability to eat normally. The Symptoms Index was negative at both time points for 86% of all women and positive at both time points for 2% of all women. There were no statistically significant patterns of change for symptom reporting between time points.Conclusions-The Symptoms Index and women's report of abdominal pain, pelvic pain, feeling full quickly, unable to eat normally, abdominal bloating, increased abdominal size were stable between two time points in this sample. These findings provide evidence that longitudinal measurements of symptoms reporting by women in a screening study are likely to be reliable.

Symptom triggered screening for ovarian cancer: A pilot study of feasibility and acceptability

“…The SI has been previously validated in other studies. [10] The nurse determined the scores of the SI as positive as previously described or negative. Physicians in the clinic were informed of patient participation, but were told not to alter their clinical practice in any way and thus ordered CA125 tests or pelvic ultrasounds as needed for clinical purposes.…”

Histone deacetylases as new therapy targets for platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer

“…Initial symptoms of ovarian cancer prior to diagnosis are non-specific and include vaginal bleeding, gastrointestinal discomfort, and urinary tract symptoms (Friedlander 1998 ). Further, over 95 % of epithelial ovarian cancer patients experience abdominal complaints for many months prior to their diagnosis (Goff et al 2007 ; Lowe et al 2009 ). The initial diagnostic workup includes a pelvic examination, ultrasound examination, computed tomography scans, and a blood test for cancer antigen 125 (CA 125), yet none of these techniques can be reliably used for early detection.…”

Clinical Decision Making Using Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment

“…Among women with stages IA and IB disease, reports of abdominal pain, a hard or distended abdomen, or abdominal mass were more common than in women without cancer. Most studies that have evaluated a symptoms index have done so with the hope of developing a test that will be useful in the setting of ovarian cancer screening [7]. Although this still has to be validated with a prospective trial, it is likely that the presence of symptoms combined with the findings of an adnexal mass increase the chance of malignancy and could prompt surgical evaluation.…”