Ovarian Tumors

What is Ovarian Tumors?

Ovarian tumors are growths that develop on or inside the ovaries. The ovaries are two small organs in the female reproductive system that produce eggs and hormones. These tumors can be benign, meaning they are not cancerous, or malignant, meaning they are cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body. Most ovarian tumors are actually benign, and many women develop them at some point in their lives without ever knowing it.

Some ovarian tumors produce hormones, especially estrogen. When a tumor makes too much estrogen, it can cause noticeable changes in your body and menstrual cycle. These hormone-producing tumors can affect women of all ages, from young girls to postmenopausal women. The type of tumor, its size, and whether it produces hormones all determine what symptoms you might experience and what treatment you might need.

Understanding your hormone levels through regular testing can help catch these tumors early. Many ovarian tumors grow slowly and cause few symptoms at first. Tracking estrogen levels over time can reveal patterns that might suggest a tumor is present. Early detection means more treatment options and better outcomes, especially if a tumor turns out to be cancerous.

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Symptoms

Bloating or swelling in the abdomen that does not go away
Pelvic pain or pressure that persists over time
Feeling full quickly when eating or loss of appetite
Changes in menstrual periods, including irregular bleeding or heavy periods
Abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause
Frequent need to urinate or urgent urination
Constipation or other digestive changes
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Early puberty in young girls, caused by excess estrogen production
Breast tenderness or enlargement due to hormone changes

Many women with small benign ovarian tumors have no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages. These tumors are often discovered during routine pelvic exams or imaging tests done for other reasons. Hormone-producing tumors are more likely to cause noticeable symptoms because they create imbalances in your body's natural hormone levels.

Causes and risk factors

The exact cause of most ovarian tumors is not fully understood. Some tumors develop when cells in the ovary begin to grow abnormally and form a mass. Hormone-producing tumors specifically arise from cells that normally make estrogen or other hormones. Your risk increases with age, family history of ovarian or breast cancer, and genetic mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2. Women who have never been pregnant or who started menstruating early and went through menopause late may also have higher risk.

Lifestyle factors play a role in overall ovarian health. Obesity can increase estrogen levels and may contribute to tumor growth. Smoking and exposure to environmental toxins may also affect your risk. Some benign tumors, like functional cysts, form as a normal part of the menstrual cycle and usually go away on their own. Others, like dermoid cysts or cystadenomas, develop for reasons that are not always clear but are not related to lifestyle choices.

How it's diagnosed

Diagnosing ovarian tumors usually starts with a pelvic exam, where your doctor feels for any unusual masses or enlargement of the ovaries. If something is found, imaging tests like ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI scans can show the size, location, and characteristics of the tumor. These images help doctors determine whether a tumor is likely benign or malignant.

Blood tests play an important role in detecting hormone-producing ovarian tumors. Rite Aid offers hormone testing that measures estradiol, estriol, and total estrogen levels. Abnormally high estrogen levels in women, especially those who are not pregnant or taking hormone therapy, can suggest the presence of an estrogen-producing tumor. Regular monitoring of these hormone levels can help track changes over time and guide further evaluation. Your doctor may also order additional tests like CA-125, which can be elevated in some types of ovarian cancer.

Treatment options

Watchful waiting for small benign tumors that cause no symptoms, with regular monitoring through imaging and blood tests
Surgery to remove the tumor, which may involve removing just the tumor, one ovary, or both ovaries depending on the type and severity
Chemotherapy for malignant tumors to kill cancer cells and prevent spread
Hormone therapy to block estrogen production or action if the tumor is hormone-sensitive
Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity to support hormone balance
Eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins to support overall health
Reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking to lower overall cancer risk
Managing stress through practices like yoga, meditation, or counseling
Regular follow-up appointments and imaging to monitor for recurrence or new tumor growth
Working with a gynecologist or gynecologic oncologist for specialized care

Frequently asked questions

Benign ovarian tumors are not cancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body. They may grow slowly and often cause no symptoms. Malignant ovarian tumors are cancerous and can invade nearby tissues or spread to distant organs. They require more aggressive treatment like surgery and chemotherapy.

Some ovarian tumors, especially functional cysts that form during the menstrual cycle, can go away on their own within a few months. Your doctor may recommend watchful waiting with follow-up ultrasounds to see if the tumor shrinks. Other types of tumors, like dermoid cysts or solid tumors, typically do not disappear without treatment.

Some ovarian tumors produce excess estrogen, which can cause symptoms like irregular periods, breast tenderness, and early puberty in young girls. High estrogen levels in women who are not pregnant or taking hormones can be a sign of a hormone-producing tumor. Blood tests that measure estradiol, estriol, and total estrogen can help detect these tumors early.

See a doctor if you have persistent bloating, pelvic pain that lasts more than two weeks, or unexplained changes in your menstrual cycle. Vaginal bleeding after menopause, rapid weight gain or loss, and difficulty eating are also warning signs. Any new or worsening symptoms that do not go away within a few weeks deserve medical attention.

Yes, ovarian tumors are quite common, and most are benign. Many women develop functional cysts during their reproductive years. These cysts are usually harmless and go away on their own. Ovarian cancer, which is a malignant tumor, is much less common but does require early detection and treatment for the best outcomes.

While you cannot prevent all ovarian tumors, certain lifestyle choices may lower your risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, and staying physically active can support hormone balance. Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake also reduce overall cancer risk. Birth control pills have been shown to lower the risk of ovarian cancer in some studies.

The frequency of testing depends on the type of tumor and your treatment plan. If you have a hormone-producing tumor, your doctor may recommend testing every few months to monitor estrogen levels. After surgery to remove a tumor, regular testing can help detect recurrence early. Work with your doctor to create a monitoring schedule that fits your specific situation.

It depends on the type, size, and location of the tumor. Small benign tumors often do not affect fertility. Larger tumors or those that require surgery to remove one or both ovaries can impact your ability to get pregnant. If you are concerned about fertility, talk to your doctor before any surgery to discuss options like ovarian tissue preservation.

CA-125 is a protein that can be elevated in some types of ovarian cancer. Doctors often use this blood test along with imaging to evaluate suspicious ovarian masses. However, CA-125 can also be elevated in benign conditions like endometriosis or fibroids. It is most useful for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence in women already diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Not all ovarian tumors require surgery. Small functional cysts often go away on their own with watchful waiting. If a tumor is large, causes symptoms, looks suspicious on imaging, or produces excess hormones, surgery may be recommended. The type of surgery depends on whether the tumor is benign or malignant and whether you want to preserve fertility.