Pelvic Mass

Pelvic Mass • • • •

What is a pelvic mass? What are the symptoms? How are pelvic masses diagnosed? What treatments are available?

What is a pelvic mass? There are a number of unique tumors that can grow within the pelvis (the very lowest part of the inside of the torso) that can originate from the pelvic organs (such as rectal tumors, endometrioma, germ cell tumors and other gynecologic masses). Other masses, called retrorectal or presacral masses, are congenital abnormalities (such as congenital cysts, teratoma, duplication of the rectum and anterior sacral meningocele), or tumors (such as dermoid cysts, chordoma, sarcoma, gastrointestinal stomal tumors (GIST), leiomyomas, carcinoid and neuogenic tumors). ^ Back to top

What are the symptoms? The most common symptoms related to pelvic mass are pain and change in bowel habits or continence. Unfortunately, many patients do not experience any symptoms. ^ Back to top

How are pelvic masses diagnosed? Pelvic masses are usually diagnosed by a combination of history and physical examination, and radiographic studies such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR), and ultrasound. ^ Back to top

What treatments are available? While some of these tumors are proven to be benign (not cancerous) through advanced imaging and image-guided biopsy, surgical removal is the treatment of choice to establish diagnosis and/or to relieve symptoms.

Chapter 9. Pelvic Mass Sections: Pelvic Mass: Introduction, Demographic Factors, Uterus, Ovary, Torsion of Adnexal Masses, Paraovarian Masses, Fallopian Tube Pathology, References. Topics Discussed: pelvic mass. Excerpt: "Pelvic masses are common clinical findings and may involve the reproductive organs or nongynecologic structures. They may be identified in asymptomatic women during routine pelvic examination or may cause symptoms. Typical complaints include pain, pressure sensations, dysmenorrhea, or abnormal uterine bleeding. Although most pelvic masses are acquired lesions, a few arise as congenital anomalies. As a part of evaluation, laboratory tests are typically uninformative, but levels of serum -human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG) or tumor markers may be helpful. Initially, imaging with sonography is preferred, but computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may be useful if the nature of the mass is still uncertain. Treatment of pelvic masses varies with patient symptoms, age, and risk factors. Although medical management is possible for many of these masses, for others, surgical treatment offers the highest success rates...."

A pelvic mass is an enlargement or swelling in the lower abdomen or pelvic region. Some people may be able to feel a pelvic mass, however, most are discovered during routine physical examinations. Masses can cause pelvic inflammation and the swelling may trigger other symptoms in the body, which may alert the individual that something is wrong. Pelvic masses can signify the presence of a benign or malignant condition. For this reason, it is important to have any mass evaluated by a medical professional. In women, a pelvic mass can indicate an abnormal growth on or within a female reproductive organ. The growth can be as simple as a benign cyst or as serious as a malignant tumor. Masses in the pelvic region of a woman can potentially damage the surrounding reproductive organs by preventing them from functioning properly. For instance, one can impact inner pelvic structures such as the uterus and the ovaries. Uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts are examples of pelvic masses in the female reproductive system.

What is a pelvic mass? A mass is medical term for a swelling. It is a non-specific term, applied to a swelling found during physical examination or during the course of investigation including ultrasound and radiology (x-ray). The mass may be due to inflammation, (e.g. an abscess) or a tumour, which can be benign (e.g. a fibroid) or malignant. On occasion, the mass may be present from birth

but is first observed later in life. The kidneys, for example, normally develop as a pair, one on either side in the area of the loins but one kidney may develop in the pelvis (pelvic kidney).