Which statement best describes the diagnostic findings associated with ovarian cancer?

• A. Lower back pain, constipation, lower abdominal discomfort, and irregular menstrual periods.
• B. Chronic cough and wheeze.
• C. Pelvic examination revealing a pelvic mass and elevated tumor markers supports the diagnosis.
• D. Always presents with vaginal bleeding.

Answer: (C)

Ovarian cancer is usually suspected when a pelvic mass is found on examination and there are supporting laboratory findings. A pelvic examination that reveals a pelvic mass raises clinical suspicion for an adnexal tumor, and when this finding is accompanied by elevated tumor markers such as CA-125, it strengthens the likelihood of ovarian malignancy. These markers are helpful for monitoring and ongoing assessment, though they aren’t perfectly specific on their own. Imaging then helps characterize the mass, and definitive diagnosis comes from histopathology after surgical evaluation.

Other symptoms listed are not as specific to ovarian cancer. Nonspecific complaints like lower back pain, constipation, and irregular menses can occur with many conditions; chronic cough and wheeze point to respiratory issues, and vaginal bleeding is not a standard feature of ovarian cancer, especially in early disease.