Ovarian masses and tumors

The first step in treating your child is forming an accurate and complete diagnosis.

How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?

Because most ovarian cysts don’t cause symptoms and go away on their own, they may go completely unnoticed. If you have pain or irregular periods that prompt you to see your health care provider, you may need to have a pelvic ultrasound to see if you might have a cyst. If you have a cyst, it will be visible on the ultrasound.

• Pelvic ultrasound
  • One of the first tests performed is usually a pelvic ultrasound.
  • A pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of your reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus) and bladder (where your urine is stored).
  • It is usually necessary to have a full bladder before the procedure. This means you will need to drink a lot of water before you arrive for the test. The test itself is not painful but you may feel a little uncomfortable since your bladder will be full until you pass urine (pee) after the test.
  • You will lie on your back on an exam table while the technician places a warm gel on your lower belly with something that looks like a microphone.
  • The technician will gently move this microphone-like instrument over your belly. The instrument actually makes a picture by picking up sound waves.
  • From these pictures your doctor will know if you have an ovarian cyst. If you have a cyst, your doctor will most likely repeat the pelvic ultrasound in about 2-8 weeks to make sure that the cyst is getting smaller or gone completely.
  • The tumor is probably not cancerous if the ultrasound shows an ovarian cyst filled with clear fluid.
  • If it shows debris in the cyst fluid, or if the tumor has solid parts, then more tests are needed.
• Other tests
  • laparoscopy
    • a surgical procedure that allows the examination of the interior of the abdomen using a special instrument called a laparoscope
    •  used to determine size, grade and the stage of the tumor.
  • biopsy
    • a surgical procedure that involves removal and laboratory analysis of a small portion of the tumor
  • urine and blood tests
  • computerized tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan).
  • pregnancy test
    • If a women is pregnant and has a cyst,  the cyst is likely is a corpus luteum cyst, which is formed when the ruptured follicle releases the egg, and reseals itself and fills with fluid.
    • Corpus luteum cysts is a type of functional cyst and is harmless to the women and does not negatively affect pregnancy. 

After we complete all necessary tests, our experts meet to review and discuss what they have learned about your child's condition. Then we will meet with you and your family to discuss the results and outline the best treatment options.