Ovarian Masses

The most common ovarian masses include:

• Cysts: Most women develop ovarian cysts over the course of their lives, and they rarely are cause for concern because they usually dissipate on their own. If you have numerous cysts that are interfering with the function of your ovaries or a cyst that ruptures, you’ll need to seek help at Suburban Women’s Specialists.
• Tumors: A tumor on your ovaries is cause for concern and typically signals ovarian cancer, which isn’t a common cancer — just over 22,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Outside of cancer, most ovarian masses aren’t usually dangerous, but they bear expert evaluation and monitoring by your OB/GYN to make sure they don’t become more problematic.

In most cases, ovarian masses go largely undetected and resolve themselves on their own. However, if you’re experiencing any of the following, you should schedule a visit at Suburban Women’s Specialists:

• Pain in your pelvis
• A feeling of heaviness
• Bloating

If you experience sudden pain and vomiting, this could mean that a cyst has ruptured and you should seek urgent care immediately.

During your visit with either Dr. Anthony or Dr. Chua, the doctor first reviews your symptoms and performs a pelvic exam. Based on her findings, the doctor typically performs an ultrasound to get a closer look at your ovaries.

The treatment for ovarian masses depends upon your diagnosis. If your doctor discovers cysts on your ovaries, she typically waits several weeks and performs another ultrasound to see if they’ve reduced in size or disappeared completely. Your doctor may also recommend oral contraceptives to prevent new cysts from forming.

If your cysts are the same size, or larger, your doctor may recommend a minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery to remove them, especially if they’re interfering with the function of your ovaries or they’re causing you discomfort.

If your doctor suspects a tumor, she works with a cancer specialist to determine your next steps.

For a comprehensive treatment of ovarian masses, call Suburban Women’s Specialists or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.