women s health issues
Ovarian Cysts and Other Benign Ovarian Masses
Diagnosis
A pelvic examination Ultrasonography Sometimes blood tests Doctors sometimes detect cysts or tumors during a routine Pelvic Examination . Sometimes doctors suspect them based on symptoms. Often, they are identified when an imaging test (such as ultrasonography) is done for another reason. When the diagnosis needs to be confirmed, ultrasonography using an ultrasound device inserted into the vagina ( Imaging tests and procedures ) is done. A pregnancy test is done to rule out pregnancy, including pregnancy located outside the uterus ( Ectopic Pregnancy ). If imaging suggests that the growth could be cancerous or if ascites is present, doctors remove the growth and examine it under a microscope. A Laparoscopy , inserted through a small incision just below the navel, may be used to examine the ovaries and to remove the growth. If doctors suspect ovarian cancer, they do blood tests to check for substances called tumor markers, which may appear in the blood or may increase when some cancers are present. However, these tests are not reliable for diagnosis. They are most useful for monitoring how women with ovarian cancer respond to treatment 