Are you experiencing pelvic pain or difficulty in urinating? These could be adnexal mass symptoms. The problems related to adnexal tumors originate from the reproductive system, and you must know how to identify them. So if you want to learn more about the adnexal mass, keep reading.
Adnexal mass can be caused due to various gynecological factors and usually originate from the female reproductive system. There could be many reasons why you get adnexal mass, such as ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, and more. Routine examinations like ultrasound can help in identifying the adnexal mass.
The adnexal mass is usually non-cancerous and can also occur in our ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissues around them. The treatment usually depends on the location and types of cells involved. Let's dive into the adnexal mass symptoms, causes, and more!
What is Adnexal Mass?
Adnexal mass is simply the growth of cells that are formed on connective tissues around the uterus. This growth originates from the reproductive system or the pelvic organs around it and can be found near the ovaries, fallopian cysts, and even the urinary bladder.
These adnexal masses usually occur in individuals who are of childbearing age. One of the most common causes of adnexal mass is ectopic pregnancy. Sometimes it can also be a result of hormonal changes in the body. These masses are not necessarily cancerous and are benign in most cases. The symptoms of adnexal include bloating, vaginal bleeding, genital pain, and more.
How is Adnexal Mass Diagnosed?
Doctors can diagnose people with tumors easily using routine examinations. They are usually detected through ultrasounds or pelvic examinations. Once you get your diagnosis, the doctor can run further tests to determine the reason for developing an adnexal mass. The doctor could also ask you to take a pregnancy test to determine if you have a chance of an ectopic pregnancy.
However, not all adnexal masses require surgery, and most of them resolve on their own. But if you experience intense pain and uncomfortable adnexal mass symptoms, you should consult the doctor to assessrian torsion.
What are the Different Types of Adnexal Masses?
We can find adnexal tumors not only in our reproductive system but also in other parts of our bodies. Let's look at the different types of adnexal tumors.
Skin Adnexal Mass
Sometimes the tumors on the skin can also be a sign of some underlying syndromes like sebaceous tumors. Skin tumors are mainly classified based on their morphological components. There are rare cases when adnexal masses on the skin can be cancerous.
Uterine Adnexal Mass
The adnexal mass found in the uterus develops mainly around the ovaries or fallopian tubes. They can develop in ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries, ectopic pregnancies, and more in premenopausal ladies. However, after menopause, the adnexal mass usually turns out to be malignant.
Eye Adnexal Mass
Adnexal tumors in the eyes are rare. However, they must be diagnosed as the eyes are significant to us. These tumors can affect our eyelid, conjunctiva, or our orbit. Microsurgery can help in reducing the occurrence of eye adnexal masses.
What are the Causes of Adnexal Mass?
Various causes can result in adnexal mass; however, let's look at some of the most common causes:
Benign Ovarian Tumors
The adnexal mass symptoms show itself depending on the size of the tumors. An ovarian tumor is an abnormal lump of cells and is different from cysts as they're solid. Cysts usually have liquid filled in them and aren't cancerous in most cases.
Ectopic Pregnancy
This type occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus. Such pregnancies don't grow till their final term. If the egg continues growing in the fallopian tube, it results in heavy bleeding and can prove fatal.
Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluid that develops in the ovaries. Many women experience ovarian cysts at least once in a lifetime. However, these cysts don't cause any pain and usually won't show symptoms either.
Ovarian Cancer
In ovarian cancer, the abnormal cells in the ovary multiply and spread to different body parts. The tumor can grow and spread further to different parts of our body. Such adnexal mass symptoms include fatigue, heartburn, constipation, irregular periods, and painful sexual intercourse.
What are the Adnexal Mass Symptoms?
You might not experience the symptoms of adnexal mass, but doctors could diagnose you during a routine pelvic exam. However, in some cases, there are adnexal tumor symptoms such as:
- Pain in the pelvic region
- Irregular periods
- Having pain while urinating
- Bloating or constipation
- Gastrointestinal disorders
The adnexal mass symptoms usually depend upon the size of the mass, and the symptoms could also have different health conditions behind them. Therefore it's suitable to consult a doctor for an adnexal mass diagnosis.
What is the Treatment for Adnexal Masses?
The adnexal mass treatment depends on factors such as the symptoms or location of the adnexal mass. However, here are some of the common ways of treating the adnexal masses:
- If your cyst is small and non-cancerous, the doctor may advise no treatment. This is usually the case when a doctor feels the cyst shall go away on its own and won't require any follow-up or special treatment.
- If the doctor feels like the tumor could be cancerous, they might want to follow up on your tumor and ask you to come for checkups. They might have a pelvic ultrasound or blood test done for you.
- The doctors usually suggest surgery if they feel the adnexal mass could be cancerous. They usually conduct surgery so that they can remove the tumor or mass from your body completely. The right adnexal mass differential diagnosis is generally done to determine if the tumor is cancerous.
Also Read: Getting Periods Twice A Month? 10 Reasons Why It's Happening
Conclusion
As discussed above, most adnexal masses aren't harmful and can resolve independently without intervention. However, you must not take the adnexal mass symptoms lightly and should seek medical help. So if you're ignoring the symptoms of adnexal mass, don't do it any further and get the help you should!
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