(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- There may be a new way to determine if an ovarian tumor is benign or malignant. A new study finds ultrasound is more accurate than blood test when determining if an ovarian tumor is cancerous.

When an ovarian tumor is discovered, a blood test can be done to see if there is an elevated level of the protein CA-125 to determine if the tumor is benign or malignant. But this test is often not accurate. Researchers in Belgium say ultrasound may be a better option.
 

The study looked at examining patterns in ultrasound images to classify ovarian tumors. The research included more than 1,000 women who had had surgery to remove the tumor. All of the women had an ultrasound examination before surgery and most also gave blood samples. Researchers analyzed the blood samples for CA-125 and also had experienced ultrasound examiners classify each tumor. They then compared the results.

Study authors report the ultrasound examiners correctly classified 93 percent of the tumors as benign or malignant. The CA-125 levels correctly classified 83 percent of the tumors. Researchers say they hope this finding will encourage the medical community to expend more effort and resources to educate and train those who do gynecologic ultrasound examination so that this technique may be used.

SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute published online November 13, 2007