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Benign Tumors

What is a benign ovarian tumor?

A benign ovarian tumor is a noncancerous growth on or inside an ovary. It is different from a cyst, because it is a solid mass, not a fluid-filled cyst. It is called benign because it is not a cancer. In a cancer, the abnormal cells will spread other parts of the body if not treated. A benign tumor will not spread to other parts of the body.

What causes benign ovarian tumors to develop?

There are different types of tumors, and they probably have different causes. It is unclear how most of them develop, and their causes are not well understood.

(last reviewed January 27, 2008)

What are the symptoms of benign ovarian tumors?

Often benign ovarian tumors have no symptoms at all. They sometimes are not found until you have a routine checkup from your doctor. However, depending on the size, location, and type of tumor, it may cause some or all of the following symptoms:

a feeling of pressure or fullness in the abdomen or pelvis
a firm, painless swelling in the lower abdomen
irregular bowel or bladder function
abdominal pain that may linger from day to day
painful or irregular menstrual periods (sometimes you may stop having periods)
pain during sexual intercourse
swelling of the legs or vulva
an increase in facial and body hair
weight gain.

(last reviewed January 27, 2008)

How are benign ovarian tumors diagnosed?

An ovarian tumor may be discovered when you have a regular pelvic exam. Often your doctor may order or perform other tests or procedures such as:

ultrasound
laparoscopy
CT (computed tomography) scan
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
blood tests.

(last reviewed January 27, 2008)

How are ovarian tumors treated?

In general , the tumor must be removed. Ocasionally the tumor may become twisted, in which case it can cause severe pain, and cause ovarian failure. In such cases it needs to be removed right away.

Sometimes the entire ovary needs to be removed. At the time of surgery the other ovary is thoroughly explored to be sure that it does not also have a tumor. Rarely, the second ovary needs to be removed as well.

The tumor that is removed will always be studied carefully by a pathologist to check for cancer.

(last reviewed January 27, 2008)

Is there any way to prevent ovarian tumors?

There is no definite way to prevent these tumors from occuring.

(last reviewed January 27, 2008)

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