Pelvic masses and endoscopic surgery: diagnosis

Most adnexal masses are benign but a careful preoperative evaluation is necessary to exclude malignancy. Pelvic examination is considered to be of limited importance Ultrasonography is of prime importance and also tumor marker's assays. The last step of evaluation to exclude malignancy is the laparoscopic inspection of the tumor. If any signs of malignancy are found, laparotomy is performed immediately. The majority of patients with a benign adnexal cyst can be treated by operative endoscopy.