• Identification and development of highly sensitive and specific tumor markers for the detection and management of ovarian cancer and other gynecological malignancies [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Identification of new prevention approaches and therapies [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Identification of measures to improve the quality of life for women at increased risk for developing the disease and for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

OBJECTIVES:

• To identify and develop highly sensitive and specific tumor markers for the detection and management of ovarian cancer and other gynecological malignancies.
• To identify new prevention approaches and therapies.
• To identify measures to improve the quality of life for women at increased risk for developing the disease and for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

OUTLINE: Patients complete an extensive personal and family medical history questionnaire and meet with a genetic counselor to review the questionnaire and for a risk assessment at baseline. Patients also undergo transvaginal ultrasound, clinical breast, pelvic, and rectal exam, and CA-125 testing at baseline and then every 6 months thereafter, or as determined by the physician. Patients also complete additional questionnaires periodically.

Patients undergo blood sample collection periodically for research studies, including molecular, biochemical, functional, and genetic marker studies.

The referring physician will be notified of any abnormal test results. The results from the biomarker research studies will not be reported to the patient or the physician. In the future, if any of the experimental tumor markers are found to be effective in detecting early stage ovarian cancer, and the patient's result is abnormal, the patient and physician will be notified.