[Mass-screening for ovarian cancer by transvaginal ultrasonography--study on ultrasonographic findings]

Mass-screening for ovarian cancer by means of transvaginal ultrasonography has been performed in Aomori Prefecture since 1989. To select appropriate candidates to receive the second screening, the findings in 614 ultrasonic pictures of pelvic tumors over 30mm recorded on a VTR were studied. The results were as follows: 1) At the first screening, the rate of solid tumors was similar in each age group, but that of mixed tumors was higher in the thirties. 2) When ultrasonic findings at the first screening with that of the second screening were compared, (1) Twenty to thirty per cent of all tumors detected in the first screening had disappeared or had become under 30mm in size at the second screening. (2) About 20% of solid tumors detected in the first screening were not ovarian tumors (uterine myomas or others) in the second screening, regardless of the tumor size. (3) The rate which decided the course of therapy or follow up at the time of the second screening was not related to the ultrasonic findings for tumors smaller than 50mm. At the present time, classification of transvaginal ultrasonic findings is insufficient, and so it is difficult to use it to select appropriate candidates to receive the second screening. But the ultrasonic findings are very important in deciding on the course of therapy and follow up.