ABSTRACT
Ultrasound has been traditionally considered as a poor technique for assessing tumor extension in ovarian cancer. Transvaginal ultrasound is the optimal approach for examining the pelvis. Transabdominal ultrasound allows assessment of the middle and upper abdomen. An ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity has to be performed systematically, and the entire anatomy has to be evaluated in both sagittal and transverse sections, which is accomplished by rotating the probe 90°. Magnetic Resonance Imaging has also been proposed as an imaging technique for preoperative assessment of advanced ovarian cancer. Computed Tomography (CT) scan may be considered as the first-line imaging technique for assessing tumor spread in advanced ovarian cancer. Several models based on CT scan findings have been developed for predicting optimal cytoreduction in advanced ovarian cancer. Regarding the assessment of carcinomatosis, miliary dissemination cannot be detected as easily when evaluating the upper abdomen, as it would be with a transvaginal or transrectal examination.
