Staging ovarian cancer diagnosed during laparoscopy: accuracy rather than immediacy

Immediate staging and debulking of an unsuspected ovarian malignancy detected at the time of diagnostic laparoscopy is appropriate when personnel knowledgeable in these procedures are available. However, when assistance is unavailable, termination of the diagnostic laparoscopy and timely referral is acceptable. This report reviews techniques to preoperatively distinguish a benign from a malignant adnexal mass, steps to evaluate an adnexal mass during laparoscopy, and ovarian cancer staging procedures.