Aspiration cytology of ovarian neoplasms. A review

Unlike other gynecologic tumors, which are accessible to inspection and biopsy, ovarian neoplasms are located within the pelvis or abdomen and are reachable only by laparoscopy or exploratory laparotomy. Because of its simplicity, fine needle aspiration cytology may be used as an alternative to surgical procedures. However, because of the great variety of tumor types in the ovary, cytologic interpretation of aspirates from that organ represents one of the most challenging fields in diagnostic cytology. Nevertheless, as clinicians become more experienced in using this technique and pathologists gain confidence in their ability to evaluate samples correctly, aspiration cytology may prove to be one of the most valuable and acceptable tools in the diagnosis of tumors of the female pelvis.