The role of lymphography in patients with ovarian cancer

Although therapeutic options in ovarian carcinoma depend upon the extent of disease little attention has been paid to lymphography for pretreatment staging. From 1967 through 1972, 69 patients with previously untreated ovarian malignancy underwent lymphography. Prior to lymphography, 19% of the patients had Stage I disease; 42%, Stage II; 30%, Stage III; and 7% had Stage IV disease. Using strict criteria for the lymphographic diagnosis of metastases, 12% of Stage I and II patients had positive lymphograms, and, therefore, more accurately belong in Stage III. Forty‐one percent of the clinical Stage III group had positive lymphograms, while 60% of Stage IV patients had positive studies. Para‐aortic lymph nodes were involved in three‐quarters of all positive studies, necessitating marked changes in treatment portals. Interval surveillance roentgenograms following lymphography may be helpful in determining response to therapy and may provide an early indication of recurrent disease.