RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIM: Feasibility and value of diagnostic open laparoscopy (DOL) was assessed in patients presenting under suspicion of advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) mostly with large-volume ascites. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 143 consecutive patients who underwent DOL for histopathological verification of AOC performed from 2002 to 2012. RESULTS: Out of the 143 patients presenting at our Center with an ovarian mass and mostly with ascites under suspicion of ovarian cancer, we diagnosed 125 AOCs, three AOCs with three concomitant tumors of other origin, and 15 other diseases causing an ovarian mass and ascites mimicking AOC (e.g. gastrointestinal malignancies, tuberculosis, mesothelioma, endometrial cancer and benign conditions). CONCLUSION: DOL can be considered a valid and safe diagnostic tool for histopathologically verifying epithetlial ovarian cancer and preventing patients with other diagnoses undergoing the wrong course of therapy.
