Ovarian cancer

​​​​​​​Emergency

If any of the following are suspected, seek emergency medical advice or refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary)

  • Febrile neutropaenia during chemotherapy treatment
    Note: contact medical oncologist or treating team following emergency department presentation
  • Signs or symptoms of bowel obstruction, symptomatic ascites, or symptomatic pleural effusion with respiratory compromise
  • Urinary retention resulting from known malignancy

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • ​​Nil​

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.

  • ​​​Imaging (e.g. computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) raising suspicion for gynaecological cancer
  • Signs or symptoms indicating possible cancer recurrence in patients with a history of ovarian cancer
    Note: for optimum care, patient should be reviewed within 2 weeks
  • Suspected ovarian cancer due to presence of abdomino-pelvic mass and high Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) or International Ovarian Tumour Analysis (IOTA) index

  • Symptomatic pleural effusion without respiratory compromise
    Note: for optimum care, patient should be reviewed within 2 weeks

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.​
​
  • Family history of ovarian cancer without a known pathogenic gene variant
  • Genetic abnormalities associated with ovarian cancer​

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.

  • ​Nil

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition, including symptoms and their duration
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, allergies and/or adverse reactions), including specifically:
    • Past medical, surgical, obstetric, psychosocial history
    • Family history (where relevant)
    • Height, weight and body mass index
    • Pelvic examination findings
    • Full blood count (FBC),
    • Urea, Electrolytes, Creatinine (UEC)
    • Liver function tests (LFTs)
    • Blood glucose levels (BGLs)
    • Tumour markers:
      • Cancer antigen 125 (CA125)
      • Cancer antigen 19.9 (CA19.9)
      • Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
      • Germ cell marker (AFP, LDH, HCG) (aged < 40 years only)
    • Most recent cervical screening test or co-test result
    • National cervical screening history results
    • Diagnostic pathology reports, including pathology provider and accession number
    • Diagnostic imaging reports, including imaging provider and accession number

If available

  • ​​Nil

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.​

Current as at: Monday 23 March 2026
Contact page owner: System Purchasing