Comparing ascitic aspirate and tissue biopsy in the diagnosis of ovarian malignancy

The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the role of tissue biopsy in ovarian cancer where a diagnosis had been made from cytological assessment of ascites. A total of 63 women had been coded for ovarian carcinoma during the period; 48 had undergone cytological or histological investigation, of which six had undergone tissue biopsy, despite having had a cytological diagnosis. In all six cases (100%), the tissue biopsy concurred with the original diagnosis. We conclude that, where a clinically- and radiologically-correlated cytological diagnosis is made, the benefits of an invasive procedure to obtain tissue samples do not outweigh the risks to the patient.