Lysophosphatidic Acid Assay in Patients With Ovarian Cancer or Who Are at Risk for Ovarian Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Meets 1 of the following criteria: * Presenting to a gynecological oncologist with a unilateral or bilateral pelvic mass (defined as a simple, complex, or a solid ovarian/pelvic mass) and scheduled to undergo surgery * Newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer and undergoing first-line chemotherapy * History of epithelial ovarian carcinoma status post-primary chemotherapy treatment, currently in clinical remission according to the following criteria: * Absence of symptoms that may be related to disease * Imaging without abnormalities ≥ 1 cm suspicious for disease (no ascites) * CA125 obtained twice at least 3 weeks apart and not increasing by 50% and \< 40 units/mL * Known BRCA mutations and intact ovaries (no prior bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) * No synchronous primary endometrial cancer or a past history of primary endometrial cancer, unless all of the following conditions are met: * Stage not greater than IB * No more than superficial myometrial invasion, without vascular or lymphatic invasion * No poorly differentiated subtypes, including papillary serous, clear cell, or other FIGO grade 3 lesions * No epithelial ovarian carcinoma of low malignant potential (borderline carcinomas) * Patients of any stage who have recurred and are in second chemotherapy induced remission are not eligible PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Pre- or post-menopausal * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No other invasive malignancies within the past 5 years, with the exception of nonmelanoma skin cancer * No septicemia, severe infection, or acute hepatitis PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis * No prior chemotherapy for another malignancy Inclusion Criteria: * Eligible Patients * Patients age ≥ 21 years * Patients with a diagnosis of a pelvic mass (defined as a simple, complex or a solid ovarian / pelvic mass) who are scheduled to undergo surgery. * Patients with a new diagnosis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma undergoing primary chemotherapy treatment. * Patients with a history of epithelial ovarian carcinoma status post primary chemotherapy treatment, currently in clinical remission. * Patients with a known BRCA mutation and who have NOT undergone a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. * Clinical remission should require all of following: * Absence of symptoms that may be related to disease; * Imaging without abnormalities greater then or equal to 1 cm suspicious for disease (no ascites); * CA 125 obtained x 2 at least 3 weeks apart and not increasing by 50% and \< 40 units/mL. * Patients must have signed an approved informed consent and authorization permitting release of personal health information. * Women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test. They as well as their partners must be willing to consent to using effective contraception while on treatment and for a reasonable period thereafter. Exclusion Criteria: * Ineligible Patients * Patients with a history of other invasive malignancies, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer, are excluded if there is any evidence of other malignancy being present within the last five years. Patients with synchronous primary endometrial cancer or a past history of primary endometrial cancer are excluded, unless all of the following conditions are met: Stage not greater than I-B; no more than superficial myometrial invasion, without vascular or lymphatic invasion; no poorly differentiated subtypes, including papillary serous, clear cell or other FIGO Grade 3 lesions. * Patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma of low malignant potential (Borderline carcinomas). * Patients who have received prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis or have received chemotherapy for another malignancy. * Patients of any stage who have recurred and are in second chemotherapy induced remission. * Patients with septicemia, severe infection, or acute hepatitis. * Patients who are pregnant or lactating.