[Angiogenesis of gynecologic tumors studied with color Doppler]

Angiogenesis is obligatory event in solid tumors growth. Weak muscular layer in the newly formed tumoral vessels results in decreased resistance to blood flow and characteristic Doppler signal. The number and arrangement of the blood vessels differ between benign and malignant lesions as well. Parameters mentioned above enable a precise ultrasound differential diagnosis between benign and malignant tumors. Malignant uterine tumors are better perfused and have lower resistance to blood flow than benign ones. Benign lesions with secondary changes (necrosis) may have lowered resistance indices. The finding of pathological perfusion makes the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma also very accurate. High sensitivity of the transvaginal color Doppler in detecting newly formed blood vessels in an early stages of ovarian cancer may establish this technique as a screening method for this still very high lethality disease.