What are the main examination methods for ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer does not have obvious symptoms, so it is generally difficult to be discovered. Early treatment is actually very easy, but by the time the disease is discovered, it is already in the middle and late stages, so middle-aged female friends are advised to go to the hospital for regular check-ups. The following are the main examination methods for ovarian cancer:

(1) Ultrasound examination

B-ultrasound imaging can detect the location, size, shape and nature of the tumor.

(2) Radiological diagnosis

Barium meal or barium enema, air contrast radiography can be used to determine whether there is a tumor in the digestive tract. CT examination can locate and characterize pelvic tumors, and determine whether there is metastasis to the liver, lungs, and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Pelvic lymph node radiography can determine whether there is lymphatic metastasis of ovarian tumors.

(3) Laparoscopy

The origin and general condition of the tumor, as well as the entire pelvic and abdominal cavity and diaphragm, can be directly observed to determine the extent and stage of the lesion. Ascites can be aspirated for cytological examination, or suspicious tissue can be taken for pathological examination. However, large masses or adhesions are contraindicated.

(4) Cytological examination

Cytological examination of ascites obtained by abdominal or posterior fornix puncture is helpful in the diagnosis of ovarian malignancy.

(5) Tumor marker examination

Patients with embryonal carcinoma and endodermal sinus carcinoma have high alpha-fetoprotein (aFP) concentrations, and aFP greater than 20 μg/L is positive. β-hCG determination has diagnostic value for primary ovarian choriocarcinoma and ovarian germ cells mixed with choriocarcinoma components. Cancer antigen CA125 radioimmunoassay (CA125 greater than 65U/ml is positive) has a high diagnostic significance for epithelial cancer. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) determination is helpful for the diagnosis of dysgerminoma.

(6) Laparotomy

Enlarged ovaries are found before puberty and can still be felt after menopause; women of childbearing age have ovarian cystic tumors with a diameter greater than 6 cm that do not shrink or increase in size after 3 to 6 months of observation; solid tumors.

Although the symptoms of ovarian cancer are not obvious, the accuracy of clinical examination items is very high. The treatment of ovarian cancer is also relatively difficult, which is directly related to the unclear cause of the disease. There are even some patients whose ovarian cancer is caused by genetic factors and are often incurable. It can be said that its harm is very great.