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Detecting early stages of ovarian cancer is a difficult task because of the absence of characteristic signs in this phase of the dis­ease. The tumor is most frequently found on ultrasound examination. In the early phase of ovarian cancer the tumor marker CA125 usu­ally is not increased. Larger tumors, which are characteristic of advanced stages of the disease, can be discovered on gynaecological exami­nation. Ultrasound is an indispensable tool for determining the nature of the tumor. Further data on the malignancy are provided by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Immunoscintigraphy reveals the accumulation of marked antibodies in the areas of the malignant growth and metastases. Laparoscopy allows a direct visualisation of the abdominal cavity and the obtaining of specimens for histopathological studies. The tumor marker CA125 is also used for the follow up of patients after surgery or chemotherapy. There are some other markers that can be used alone or in combination with other markers. The presence of malignant cells in excretions from the body cavities is determined by cytology, and the ultimate nature and spread of malignancy by laparotomy. The biological pat­tern of the tumor is assessed using the quanti­tative pathological methods, and the course of the disease by steroid hormone receptors and oncogen measurements. The nature of rare tumors is determined by immunohistochemical methods.