LAPAROSCOPY IN EVALUATION OF GYNECOLOGIC CANCER

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (6) , 708-712
Abstract
Laparoscopy was used to evaluate 60 patients with a variety of known or suspected gynecologic neoplasms. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed on 18 patients to confirm benign or malignant pelvic masses or to confirm peritoneal carcinomatosis. Of these 18 patients 10 (56%) had unresectable carcinomatosis or benign disease which did not require further surgery. Staging laparoscopy was performed on 13 patients of which 3 had clinically unsuspected intraperitoneal spread of their disease. Surveillance laparoscopy was performed on 29 patients to determine the remission, regression or progression of their disease following treatment; 8 (27%) had progressive or unresectable persistent disease. Despite the fact that the study comprised a high-risk group of previously operated on or irradiated patients, there was only one major complication. There was a 10% incidence of laparoscopic failure from inadequate visualization. Of the study patients 21 (35%) were spared a laparotomy by the use of laparoscopy. Gynecologic oncology patients who should benefit most from the use of laparoscopy as an adjunct to the diagnosis, staging or surveillance of intraabdominal malignant tumors are identified.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: