An adnexal tumor is also called as an ovarian cyst. It is a mass that develops near the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or surrounding the connective tissue of ovaries. It is considered as a common gynecologic problem. Adnexal tumors may be found in the females of any ages. These tumors are benign, but they can also be cancerous.
In general, our ovaries produce follicular cysts approximately 6 to 7 times each year. These may be self-limiting and resolve during the normal menstrual period. In some instances, these cysts last longer and become hard and enlarged, at this time the cysts are considered as a pathological Adnexal tumor.
The common ovarian cyst symptoms include:
The common causes of Adnexal tumors in premenopausal women include:
The causes of Adnexal tumor are different for postmenopausal women, which include:
The common conditions that keep you at a higher risk for developing adnexal tumors are:
The major complications of adnexal tumor include:
A physical examination is performed to know if the tumor is palpable or impalpable.
In premenopausal women the adnexal masses are mainly benign; they may be malignant rarely. Based on the nature of your adnexal tumor your doctor would order for different types of diagnostic tests, which includes:
Benign tumors | Malignant tumors |
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Benign tumors are not cancerous, and can be removed; in almost all the cases they do not reoccur. Cells in the benign tumor don’t spread to the different body parts. | Malignant tumors are cancerous; these cells grow very rapidly and invade different parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis or secondary cancer. |
If you are diagnosed with adnexal tumors based on the adnexal cyst symptoms, following are the treatments performed.
If asymptomatic, small, adnexal masses are observed in physical examination and radiological studies, your doctor would prescribe oral contraceptives.
If your adnexal tumor or mass is symptomatic and has the characteristics of malignancy, then they require surgical intervention.
The adnexal cyst treatment procedures include:
You can manage the discomfort caused by adnexal tumors at home, some of the self-management tips are:
You must call your doctor immediately if: