Peri and post-menopausal women with complex adnexal masses, ascites, and raised CA-125: Is it ovarian cancer or tuberculosis?
Pelvic and peritoneal tuberculosis may resemble advanced ovarian cancer due to the presence of ascites, complex adnexal masses, peritoneal deposits and raised CA-125 level, especially in peri- and postmenopausal women. Other common features among women with these two conditions are abdominal pain an...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Mid-Life Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.jmidlifehealth.org/article.asp?issn=0976-7800;year=2016;volume=7;issue=4;spage=193;epage=196;aulast=Bagga |
| Summary: | Pelvic and peritoneal tuberculosis may resemble advanced ovarian cancer due to the presence of ascites, complex adnexal masses, peritoneal deposits and raised CA-125 level, especially in peri- and postmenopausal women. Other common features among women with these two conditions are abdominal pain and distension, weight loss and reduced appetite. As the treatment of pelvic-peritoneal tuberculosis is completely different from that of ovarian cancer, it is important to reach a correct diagnosis. Sometimes women with pelvic-peritoneal tuberculosis may be subjected to a laparotomy for suspected ovarian cancer which is likely to increase their morbidity. In the present article, we report ten women in the peri- and post-menopausal age group where this diagnostic dilemma arose of whom seven were diagnosed only after a laparotomy had been performed for suspected ovarian cancer due to adnexal masses with ascites and raised CA-125 level. Ascitic fluid showing lymphocytic predominance, raised ADA level and absence of malignant cells are pointers to consider the possibility of pelvic- peritoneal tuberculosis, especially in endemic countries like India. In such situations, an effort should be made to obtain a cytological or histopathological diagnosis of either condition by ultrasound guided needle biopsy or laparoscopically obtained biopsy rather that proceeding with laparotomy for suspected ovarian cancer. |
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| ISSN: | 0976-7800 0976-7819 |