What is the basis for ovarian tumor diagnosis

Ovarian tumor refers to a tumor that occurs on the ovary. It is one of the common tumors of the female reproductive organs. Ovarian malignant tumors are also the tumor with the highest mortality rate among gynecological malignant tumors. Although great progress has been made in both basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment of ovarian malignant tumors in recent years, unfortunately, its 5-year survival rate has not improved significantly. So, how to diagnose ovarian tumors? The following experts will introduce the diagnostic methods of ovarian tumors.

1. Clinical diagnosis

It mainly relies on clinical signs, such as abdominal distension, constipation, frequent urination, and abdominal mass. Some tumors can cause precocious puberty, postmenopausal bleeding, virilization, etc. A gynecological examination should be performed first. If unilateral or bilateral cystic or solid spherical masses and other pelvic abnormalities are palpated beside the uterus, various methods should be used to further confirm the diagnosis.

2. Ultrasound examination

It can assist in locating pelvic or abdominal tumors with an accuracy rate of over 90%; distinguish between cystic or solid tumors, uterus or adnexa; and identify ovarian tumors, ascites or encapsulated effusions.

3. Cytological diagnosis

Ovarian tumors with ascites can be examined for cancer cells by ascites puncture. Although the positive rate of smears from the posterior vaginal fornix for cancer cells is not high, it is completely harmless to the patient, so it is also a diagnostic method. In some ovarian tumors, estrogen secretion, especially after menopause, can assist in diagnosis.

4. X-ray examination

Teeth, bones and transparent shadows can be seen on the plain abdominal film of mature teratoma. Calcification foci can be seen on the X-ray film of papillary cystadenoma. Intestinal angiography can exclude intestinal tumors and help understand the location of the mass. Pneumoperitoneum and hysterosalpingography are also helpful in identifying the source of pelvic masses.

5. Laparoscopy

Under direct endoscopic vision, an early and accurate diagnosis can be made, biopsies can be performed, the nature of the tumor and the extent of infiltration can be determined, staging can be assisted, and the effect of chemotherapy can be observed. This is of certain value in determining prognosis and guiding treatment.

6. Hormone determination

In cases of feminizing tumors, the estrogen levels in the blood and urine increase, and in cases of masculinizing tumors, the 17-hydroxy and 17-ketosteroid levels in the urine increase. In cases of ovarian choriocarcinoma, the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood and urine increase.

7. Lymphangiography

It can be used as one of the methods for estimating the staging of malignant tumors.

8. Immunodiagnosis

Biochemical diagnosis and chromosome examination are still experimental research and are still some distance away from clinical application, but they are the direction of development.