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Diagnostic value of pelvic examination, ultrasound, and serum CA 125 in postmenopausal women with a pelvic mass. An international multicenter study
Author(s) -
Schutter Eltjo M. J.,
Kenemans Peter,
Sohn Christof,
Kristen Peter,
Crombach Gerhard,
Westermann Ruiner,
Möbus Volker,
Kaufmann Manfred,
Cafier Hans,
SchmidtRhode Peter,
Kreienberg Rolf,
Verstraeten Rob A.,
Curnillie Freddy
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19940815)74:4<1398::aid-cncr2820740433>3.0.co;2-j
Subject(s) - medicine , pelvic examination , malignancy , odds ratio , ultrasound , prospective cohort study , likelihood ratios in diagnostic testing , body mass index , ovarian carcinoma , carcinoma , confidence interval , radiology , cancer , gynecology , ovarian cancer
Background. In a prospective study, the differential dignostic potential of peovic examination, ultrasound, and serum CA 125 assay in postmenopausal patients presenting with a pelvic mass was assessed. Methods. A total of 228 patients were evaluated preoperatively in an international, multicenter, prospective study using a standard protocol for pelvic examination, transvaginal (occasionally additional abdominal) ultra sound, and serum CA 125 determination with a cut‐off level of 35 U/ml. Results. Ninety‐five malignant (41.7%) and 127 benign (55.7%) pelvic tumors were found in addition to 6 borderline ovarian tumors (2. 6%) in the 228 patients. Seventy‐two patients had ovarian carcinoma, 49 of whom were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage III or IV. Borderline tumors were excluded from the statistical calculations. The individual accuracy of pelvic examination, ultrasound, and serum CA 125 in discriminating between benign and malignant pelvic masses was approximately the same (76, 74, and 77%, respectively). Using logistic regression analysis, the power of pelvic examination appeared to be the most relevant factor (adjusted odds ratio, 9. 2), followed by serum CA 125 (odds ratio, 5. 6), and ultrasound (odds ratio, 4. 9). Age appeared to be nonpredictive. No cancer was found in any patient in whom all three methods scored negative (n = 53; positive predictive value for malignancy = 0 and 95%; confidence interval, 0–7). Conclusions. The combined use of pelvic examination, ultrasound, and serum CA 125 leads to improved discrimination between malignant and benign pelvic masses, because malignancy can be excluded when all three examination methods are negative. A change to a more patient‐tailored surgical approach could be considered in those cases.