Adnexal mass
An adnexal mass is a lump in tissue of the adnexa of uterus (structures closely related structurally and functionally to the uterus such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or any of the surrounding connective tissue). Adnexal masses can be benign or cancerous, and they can be categorized as simple or complex.[1] One of the most important factors used to determine the clinical suspicion of malignancy of an adnexal mass is the sonographic appearance of the mass.[2] Indications that the mass is at a higher risk of being malignant include the presence of loculations, nodules, papillary structures, or septations or a size greater than 10 cm.[3][4]
Adnexal mass | |
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Symptoms | pain of the illiac regions epsecially if it involves the ovaries or even the fallopian tubes |
Causes
In premenopausal women, adnexal masses include ovarian cysts, ectopic (tubal) pregnancies, benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumors, endometriomas, polycystic ovaries, and tubo-ovarian abscess. The most common causes for adnexal masses in premenopausal women include follicular cysts and corpus luteum cysts. Abscesses can form as a complication of pelvic inflammatory disease.
In postmenopausal women, adnexal masses may be caused by cancer, fibroids, fibromas, or diverticular abscesses.
Treatment
Removal is sometimes referred to as "adnexectomy".[5]
References
- "Adnexal Mass". onlinemeded.org. Retrieved 2015-05-27.
- Roman LD, Muderspach LI, Stein SM, et al. Pelvic examination, tumor marker level, and gray-scale and Doppler sonography in the prediction of pelvic cancer. Obstet Gynecol 1997; 89:493.
- Curtin JP. Management of the adnexal mass. Gynecol Oncol 1994; 55:S42.
- Koonings PP, Campbell K, Mishell DR Jr, Grimes DA. Relative frequency of primary ovarian neoplasms: a 10-year review. Obstet Gynecol 1989; 74:921.
- Magrina JF, Espada M, Munoz R, Noble BN, Kho RM (September 2009). "Robotic adnexectomy compared with laparoscopy for adnexal mass". Obstet Gynecol. 114 (3): 581–4. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181b05d97. PMID 19701038.
External links
Classification |
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- Adnexal mass entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
- Emedicine overview
This article incorporates public domain material from the U.S. National Cancer Institute document: "Dictionary of Cancer Terms".