The value of pre-therapy peritoneoscopy in localized ovarian cancer

Because of the recent reports indicating the high incidence of unsuspected diaphragmatic metastases in presumed localized ovarian cancer, we have carried out peritoneoscopy on 14 consecutive patients referred with the diagnosis of Stage I or II ovarian cancer. Of the 14 women none was demonstrated to have diaphragmatic metastases, but 35 per cent were found to have cytologic washings demonstrating malignant cells. The significance of these findings is discussed.