title: [Sonography of malignant ovarian tumors].
abstract: For the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of malignant tumors of the ovaries, transvaginal ultrasound is currently the preferred method. Ultrasound is indispensable for the pre-operative assessment of the biological significance of an ovarian tumor. With its aid,the indication for a surgical procedure can be established with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity and, where appropriate, the therapeutic approach definitively established. A further important application is screening for the early detection of an ovarian cancer. Although a high level of sensitivity and specificity can also be achieved for such an indication, an otherwise desirable screening procedure--at least in high-risk groups and post-menopausal women--is nevertheless controversial on account of the low prevalence of ovarian carcinoma and the associated poor positive predictive value (PPV).
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Universitatsklinikum Essen Hufelandstr. 55, D-45122 Essen. ulrich.kuhn@medizin.uni-essen.de
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kuhn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color