Ovarian Cancer Differential Diagnoses
- Author: Andrew E Green, MD; Chief Editor: Jules E Harris, MD more...
Diagnostic Considerations
The normal functioning ovary produces a follicular cyst 6-7 times each year. In most cases, these functional masses are self-limiting and resolve within the duration of a normal menstrual cycle. In rare situations, they persist longer or become enlarged. At this point, they represent a pathological condition.
Evaluation of adnexal masses
Adnexal masses present a diagnostic dilemma; the differential diagnosis is extensive, with most masses representing benign processes.[18, 19, 20] However, without histopathologic tissue diagnosis, a definitive diagnosis is generally precluded. Physicians must evaluate the likelihood of a pathologic process using clinical and radiologic information and balance the risk of surgical intervention for a benign versus malignant process.
Since ovaries produce physiologic cysts in menstruating women, the likelihood of a benign process is higher. In contrast, the presence of an adnexal mass in prepubertal girls and postmenopausal women heightens the risk of a pathologic etiology.
For more information, see Adnexal Tumors.
Differential Diagnoses
- Malignant gastric tumors
- Adnexal Tumors
- Anovulation
- Appendiceal tumors
- Appendicitis, Acute
- Ascites
- Benign lesions of the uterine corpus
- Bladder distention/urinary retention
- Borderline Ovarian Cancer
- Bowel/omental adhesions
- Cervicitis
- Colon cancer
- Colon Cancer, Adenocarcinoma
- Colonic Obstruction
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Embryologic remnants
- Endometriosis
- Fecal impaction
- Gastric adenocarcinoma
- Gastric Cancer
- Hydrosalpinx/pyosalpinx
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Low-lying cecum
- Metastatic gastrointestinal carcinoma
- Ovarian Cysts
- Ovarian torsion
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Pelvic abscess
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Pelvic kidney
- Peritoneal Cancer
- Peritoneal cyst
- Rectal Cancer
- Retroperitoneal mass
- Urachal cyst
- Urinary Tract Obstruction
- Uterine anomalies
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine Leiomyoma (Fibroid) Imaging
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