title: Role of ultrasonography in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
abstract: 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 cancer was achieved in 92.53 of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A routine pelvic examination associated with pelvic echotomography represent an effective protocol for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer at an early stage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zarcone
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bellini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carfora
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monarca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cardone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography