Role of ultrasonography in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Background: Malign ovarian carcinomas are the main cause of death from gynaecological cancer. In fact, only in 30% of cases is it diagnosed at an early stage. In our study the possibility of an early diagnosis of the ovarian malignant neoplasia was evaluated. Methods: One hundred and thirty-nine women with adnexal swelling were subjected to pelvic echography. The sample was selected during routine gynaecological checkups. Results: All the cases showing a mass diameter exceeding 25 mm were classified as positive. Echotomography showed 129 cases of positive ovarian mass with an accurate diagnosis in 92.27%. Integrating the results of echography with those of radioimmunoassay an early diagnosis of ovarian cancel was achieved in 92.53 of the casts. Conclusions: A routine pelvic examination associated with pelvic echotomography represent an effective protocol for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer at an early stage.