Diagnostics of Ovarian Tumors in Postmenopausal Patients

Abstract

Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer remains an urgent issue owing to the continuing trend towards increasing incidence along with only marginal improvements in mortality and 5-year survival rates. Furthermore, there is a lack of a clear formulation of the concept of pathogenesis. The diagnostic values of tumor markers, their potential advantages and disadvantages, and their combination with radiation imaging methods and transvaginal sonography are discussed. More advanced imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have proven too expensive for widespread use. According to the World Health Organization, more than half of the world’s population does not have access to diagnostic imaging. Consequently, there is high demand for a low-cost, reliable, and safe imaging system for detecting and monitoring cancer. Currently, there is no clear algorithm available for examining and accurately diagnosing patients with postmenopausal ovarian tumors; moreover, reliable criteria allowing dynamic observation and for determining surgical access and optimal surgical intervention measures in postmenopausal patients are lacking. Medical microwave radiometry shows promising results yielding an accuracy of 90%.

“You’re Just Fat”: A 36 cm Cyst Causing an Ovarian Torsion in a Twenty-Year-Old Woman After Presenting Symptoms of Concern to her Doctor for Years—A Case Report

“…In these women, endogenous h o r m o n e p r o d u c t i o n u s u a l l y s t i m u l a t e s t h e g r o w t h o f s u c h c y s t s d u r i n g p r e g n a n c y [ 9 ] . I n postmenopausal women and in women whose cysts are not simple (e.g., solid), a malignancy is more likely [12]. Whether the process of cyst formation occurs due to the failure of the dominant follicle to rupture or whether the immature follicles fail to involute is not known; however, the conclusion is the same [13].…”

Paradigm Shift: A Comprehensive Review of Ovarian Cancer Management in an Era of Advancements

“…Current strategies to diagnose OC include a medical history evaluation combined with the gynaecological exam, serum CA-125 quantification, and imaging tests (transvaginal ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or positron emission tomography (PET)), while also demanding a histopathological examination from either a diagnostic biopsy or, if possible, a surgical specimen for a definitive diagnosis and staging [78][79][80]. For MC, the evaluation of the tumour markers CEA and CA 19-9 is also recommended according to the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 guidelines for OC management [24].…”

“…and/or positron emission tomography (PET)), while also demanding a histopathological examination from either a diagnostic biopsy or, if possible, a surgical specimen for a definitive diagnosis and staging [78][79][80]. For MC, the evaluation of the tumour markers CEA and CA 19-9 is also recommended according to the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2023 guidelines for OC management [24].…”