Prof. Tamar Safra

Unfortunately, not always. One of the challenges with ovarian cancer is that early symptoms can be quite vague. Women may notice bloating, mild abdominal discomfort, or changes that are easy to attribute to other causes.
Because of that, the diagnosis is sometimes made at a later stage. Regular gynecologic checkups are still important, since occasionally these visits help identify concerns earlier.

In most situations the diagnosis develops step by step rather than from a single test.
The process often starts with a clinical examination and ultrasound imaging. Depending on the findings, additional studies such as CT or MRI may be recommended. Blood tests can also provide helpful information.
However, the final diagnosis typically relies on tissue analysis obtained through biopsy or surgery. This allows doctors to determine the exact tumor type and guide treatment decisions.

Not necessarily. Many people assume surgery is always the first step, but that is not always the case.
Sometimes surgery is indeed the central part of treatment. In other situations it may be more appropriate to begin with systemic therapy — for example chemotherapy or targeted treatments — and consider surgery later.
Each case is evaluated individually.

Yes, the treatment landscape has changed significantly over the past decade. In addition to traditional chemotherapy, targeted therapies and biologic treatments have become important options.
For example, PARP inhibitors are now widely used in certain patients with ovarian cancer, particularly when specific genetic or molecular features are present.
Because of this, molecular testing of tumors has become increasingly important when planning treatment.

A second opinion can be useful in several situations — particularly when the diagnosis is complex or when multiple treatment options are possible.
Sometimes another consultation simply helps patients understand the situation more clearly and feel more confident about the decisions they are making.