Diagnosis
To diagnose adnexal tumors and masses, a healthcare professional may start with a pelvic exam. Other tests and procedures might include imaging tests and blood tests.
Pelvic exam
During a pelvic exam, a healthcare professional puts gloved fingers into the vagina and presses a hand on the belly at the same time in order to feel the pelvic organs. A pelvic exam also involves looking at the external genitals, vagina and cervix.
Imaging tests
Imaging tests make pictures of the body. They can show the location and size of an adnexal tumor or mass. Tests might include an ultrasound, computerized tomography scan, also called CT scan, and magnetic resonance imaging, also called MRI.
Blood tests
Blood tests may be done to help diagnose an adnexal tumor or mass, including:
- A pregnancy test.
- Blood tests to find an infection.
- A blood test for tumor markers that may be signs of cancer. For example, the cancer antigen 125 test, also called CA 125 test, can find a protein that's often found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells.
Treatment
Treatment for adnexal tumors and masses depends on the type of growth and what's causing it. In some situations, such as with a small cyst, no treatment may be needed.
Surgery to remove an adnexal tumor or mass may be advised if the tumor or mass is large, if it's causing symptoms or if it could be cancer.
Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Preparing for your appointment
If you have any symptoms that worry you, start by making an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional. If your health professional suspects that an adnexal tumor or mass could be cancer, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in cancer of the reproductive organs, called a gynecologic oncologist.
Because appointments can be brief, it's a good idea to be prepared. The following information can help you get ready for an appointment.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you have, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medicines, vitamins or supplements that you take.
- Consider taking along a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be hard to remember all the information you get during an appointment. Someone who goes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your healthcare professional.
Questions for your doctor
Below are some basic questions to ask your healthcare professional. If you think of other questions during your appointment, be sure to ask those questions too.
- What's likely causing my symptoms?
- What tests might I need?
- Could my adnexal tumor or mass go away on its own, or will I need treatment?
- Do you have printed materials or brochures I can have? What websites do you recommend?
What to expect from your doctor
Questions your healthcare professional might ask include:
- How often do you have symptoms?
- How bad are your symptoms?
- Do you have regular menstrual cycles?
- What was the date of your last menstrual period?
- Do your symptoms seem to be related to your menstrual cycle?
- Have you used hormonal birth control or infertility medicines? If so, how long did you use them?
- Does anything make your symptoms better?
- Does anything make your symptoms worse?