[Screening for ovarian cancers: critical analysis]

Abstract

The ovarian cancers have a low incidence rate and a high mortality rate mainly due to a late diagnosis. The potential value of ultrasonography and measurements of tumour associated markers to detect early ovarian cancer suggest the interest of a screening strategy. The analysis of the conditions for efficacy of a such screening program, of the predictive values of ultrasonography and tumour associated markers measurements and of the results of preliminary studies does not confirm on a rational basis the potential interest of screening strategies.