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KEY POINTS
- A benign ovarian tumor is a growth of abnormal cells in an ovary. Females have two ovaries that are part of their reproductive system. Tumors without cancer cells are called benign.
- Surgery is usually needed to remove the tumor. Sometimes one or both ovaries need to be removed.
- Ask your healthcare provider if there are activities you should avoid and how to take care of yourself at home.
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What is a benign ovarian tumor?
An ovarian tumor is a growth of abnormal cells in an ovary. The 2 ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. They produce eggs and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Tumors without cancer cells are called benign. Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of your body. An ovarian tumor is a solid mass and different from a cyst filled with fluid.
What is the cause?
The exact cause of benign ovarian tumors is not always known. Different types of tumors can have different causes. There are 3 types of ovarian tumors and they can start from:
- The cells on the surface of the ovaries
- The cells that produce the eggs
- The cells that produce female hormones
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms depend on the size, location, and type of tumor. Some tumors don’t cause any symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include:
- A feeling of pressure or fullness in the belly or pelvis
- A firm, painless swelling in the lower belly
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Needing to urinate more often than usual or not being able to urinate
- Pain in the belly
- Painful or irregular menstrual periods (sometimes you may stop having periods)
- Pain during sex
- Swelling of the legs or the area around your vagina
- An increase in facial and body hair
- Weight gain
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
Tumors may not be found until you have a regular checkup with your healthcare provider.
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider may find a tumor during a routine pelvic exam.
Tests may include:
- An ultrasound, which uses sound waves to show pictures of the ovaries
- CT scan, which uses X-rays and a computer to show detailed pictures of the ovaries
- MRI, which uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show detailed pictures of the ovaries
- Blood tests
- Laparoscopy, which uses a small lighted tube put into the belly through a small cut in the belly to look at the ovaries
How is it treated?
Surgery is usually needed to remove the tumor. If the ovary with the tumor gets twisted, it can cause severe belly pain, nausea, and vomiting. In this case, you may need surgery right away before the tumor damages the ovary.
Sometimes the whole ovary is removed. At the time of surgery, your other ovary is carefully checked to make sure that it does not also have a tumor. Rarely, both ovaries have to be removed.
You may not need surgery. Sometimes your healthcare provider will monitor the mass for changes over time.
A tumor that is removed will be checked for cancer.
How can I take care of myself?
Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Ask your healthcare provider:
- How and when you will get your test results
- How long it will take to recover
- If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
- How to take care of yourself at home
- What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them
Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup, including a pelvic exam and Pap test. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.
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This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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