Osmosis video - Ovarian cysts, cancer, and other adnexal masses: Clinical

Ovarian cysts and cancer are some of the major adnexal masses. An adnexal mass is an abnormal growth in the tissues surrounding the uterus and ovaries. An ovarian cyst is any fluid-filled sac that develops in the ovary. Most ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms unless they either break open or cause the ovary to twist and become ischemic (ovarian torsion). Ovarian cancer refers to a malignancy that begins in the ovaries, commonly affecting women above 60 years of age.

Other adnexal masses may include tubo-ovarian abscesses, teratomas (tumors containing various types of tissue, such as hair, teeth, and bone), and ectopic pregnancy (in pregnant women).