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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
10:58
Quantitation of Intra-peritoneal Ovarian Cancer Metastasis
Published on: July 18, 2016
[The internist and ovarian cancer]
A J Salvatore1, P A Urga, L Caprarulo
1Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital Privado de Comunidad, Mar del Plata, Argentina. asalvatore@infovia.com.ar
Medicina
|January 29, 1999
Summary
Internists frequently see women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), often older patients with advanced disease. Diagnostic suspicion was similar between internists and gynecologists, but internists rarely performed key physical exams.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Internal Medicine
- Gynecology
Background:
- Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a significant health concern, often diagnosed at advanced stages.
- The role of internists in the initial diagnosis of EOC requires evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the internist's role and diagnostic participation in epithelial ovarian cancer cases.
- To compare internist and gynecologist encounters with EOC patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 81 medical records of patients diagnosed with EOC.
- Comparison of patient demographics, presenting symptoms, physical findings, and specialist consultations.
Main Results:
- Internists saw 56.8% of EOC patients, often older (mean 68.2 years) and with advanced stage (III/IV) disease (70%).
- Gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain and distention were common reasons for internist consultation.
- Diagnostic suspicion rates were similar between internists and gynecologists, despite internists rarely performing abdomino-pelvic palpation.
Conclusions:
- Internists are key initial contact points for women with EOC, frequently encountering older patients with advanced disease.
- Inadequate oncology history taking and lack of specific physical exams by internists may delay diagnosis.
- Early suspicion of EOC is associated with physical signs, highlighting the importance of thorough examination.
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