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Transvaginal biopsy in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer
Author(s) -
Faulkner Rebecca L.,
Mohiyiddeen Lamiya,
McVey Rhona,
Kitchener Henry Charles
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2005.00619.x
Subject(s) - debulking , medicine , laparotomy , ovarian cancer , ovarian carcinoma , biopsy , stage (stratigraphy) , chemotherapy , surgery , cancer , disease , general surgery , radiology , paleontology , biology
Laparotomy and debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy have been the treatment of choice in late stage ovarian carcinoma. Developments in the chemotherapeutic management of ovarian cancer have resulted in a change in opinion as to the optimal management of this disease. Many patients are now receiving initial chemotherapy and trials are in place to compare up front and adjuvant surgery. Tissue diagnosis is required prior to commencing chemotherapy. This article describes one method for accurately obtaining a tumour biopsy. A retrospective case note review of 14 women with a provisional diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma who underwent transvaginal biopsy of their pelvic disease is described. Only 7/12 cases with a positive biopsy had a definite diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The procedure was found to be safe and well tolerated.