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From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium

Symptoms

Studies on the accuracy of symptoms

Two case-control studies, both subject to results being inflated by spectrum bias,have been reported. The first found that women with ovarian cancer had symptoms of increased abdominal size, bloating, urinary urgency, and pelvic pain.^[1] The smaller, second study found that women with ovarian cancer had pelvic/abdominal pain, increased abdominal size/bloating, and difficulty eating/feeling full.^[2] The latter study created a symptom index that was considered positive if any of the 6 symptoms "occurred >12 times per month but were present for <1 year".They reported a sensitivity of 57% for early-stage disease and specificity 87% to 90%.

References

1. ↑ Goff BA, Mandel LS, Melancon CH, Muntz HG (2004). "Frequency of symptoms of ovarian cancer in women presenting to primary care clinics". JAMA 291 (22): 2705-12. DOI:10.1001/jama.291.22.2705. PMID 15187051. PMID 15187051
2. ↑ Goff BA, Mandel LS, Drescher CW, et al (2007). "Development of an ovarian cancer symptom index: possibilities for earlier detection". Cancer 109 (2): 221-7. DOI:10.1002/cncr.22371. PMID 17154394. PMID 17154394