Predictors of Relapse of Ovarian, Peritoneal, and Fallopian Tube Cancers

Study Summary

This study will develop a blood test that can be used to predict a relapse of ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer. The type of testing is called proteomics, or the study of proteins in living cells. The test will identify certain proteins that might represent a pattern, or "fingerprint," indicating increased risk of disease relapse. Women with Stage III or IV epithelial ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, or fallopian tube cancer that is in remission may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a medical history and physical examination, blood tests, review of pathology report from surgery, and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the abdomen and pelvis (and chest if the cancer spread to the chest). Participants have a clinic visit every 3 months for a physical examination (including a pelvic examination), blood draw for routine and research tests, and review of how they have been feeling. Every 6 months they have CT scans of the abdomen, pelvis, and possibly the chest. When a patient has been in remission for 4 years, blood draws are done every 6 months and CT scans are done yearly. Patients whose cancer returns (based on a CA-125 blood test, CT scans, or physical examination) end their participation in the study. Patients with an abnormal CT scan or physical examination may be asked to undergo a tumor biopsy (surgical removal of a piece of tumor tissue) for research purposes.