What tests do I need right after being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer

Tests You Need After an Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis

After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, your healthcare team will order several important tests to understand your specific situation and guide treatment decisions. Here's what to expect:

Laboratory Tests (Blood Work)

According to the NCCN Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer, your doctor should order:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) - measures your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to check your overall blood health
• Chemistry panel with liver function tests (LFTs) - evaluates kidney and liver function, which is important before starting chemotherapy
• CA-125 or other tumor markers - these are proteins that ovarian cancer cells often produce; measuring your baseline level helps your team track how well treatment is working

Imaging Studies

You'll need imaging to see if cancer has spread beyond the ovary:

• Chest/Abdominal/Pelvic CT scan (with contrast, unless you have an allergy) - this is the standard imaging to look for disease spread
• Chest X-ray or Chest CT - to check if cancer has reached your lungs
• Pelvic ultrasound and/or MRI - may be used depending on your specific situation

According to NCCN Guidelines, all imaging should use contrast (dye) unless medically contraindicated (unsafe for you).

Pathology Review (Critical)

If you had surgery before your diagnosis:

• Your tissue samples will be reviewed by pathologists to confirm the cancer type and grade
• This review is essential for determining the best treatment approach

Molecular/Genetic Testing

This is increasingly important for ovarian cancer treatment decisions:

BRCA1/2 Testing - According to NCCN Guidelines, you should be referred for genetic risk evaluation and testing because:

• If you have a BRCA mutation, it opens up specific treatment options (like PARP inhibitors)
• Results inform maintenance therapy decisions after chemotherapy
• Your family members may also benefit from knowing this information

Homologous Recombination (HR) Status - If you don't have a BRCA mutation, testing for HR deficiency may help predict how well certain targeted therapies will work

The NCCN Guidelines emphasize that validated molecular testing should be performed in a CLIA-approved laboratory (a certified facility that meets federal standards).

Why These Tests Matter

These tests serve several purposes:

1. Staging - determining how advanced your cancer is
2. Baseline measurements - establishing starting points to measure treatment response
3. Treatment planning - identifying which therapies are most likely to work for YOUR specific cancer
4. Safety monitoring - ensuring your organs can handle chemotherapy

Important Timeline Note

According to NCCN Guidelines, genetic testing results are not needed to delay your primary surgery or chemotherapy—treatment shouldn't be postponed while waiting for genetic results, as delays are associated with poorer outcomes. However, BRCA status should be established before or shortly after treatment begins to inform maintenance therapy options.

Questions to Ask Your Oncology Team

1. Which of these tests have already been done, and which still need to be completed?
2. When will I have my molecular/genetic testing results, and what will they tell us?
3. How will these test results affect my treatment plan?
4. Will my family need genetic counseling based on my results?
5. How often will these tests be repeated during my treatment?

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.

Sources: NCCN Guidelines Version 3.2025 for Ovarian Cancer - Molecular Testing, Laboratory Studies, and Workup sections