The value of fine needle biopsy in the diagnosis of ovarian tumours in women.

The diagnostic value of fine needle biopsy was assayed in the diagnosis of ovarian tumours in women. Our material comprised malignant tumours with different histological structures, benign tumours such as different kinds of cysts, teratomata and myomas. In the investigated cases of ovarian cancer the cytologic examination was in accord with the following histopathologic results. The cytologic findings failed to determine the microscopic pattern of the cancer. Teratomata were diagnosed cytologically in all cases under consideration. In the remaining tumours the results of cytologic evaluation were in accordance with the histologic examinations in the view of dismissing of tumour under study. The method seems to be very helpful in early diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumours as well as in the evaluation of the character of some tumours. The latter might be particularly important in cases presenting counterindication to laparotomy.