An adnexal mass is a lump in tissue of the adnexa of uterus

Adnexa of uterus

The adnexa of uterus refers to the structures most closely related structurally and functionally to the uterus.-Terminology:It can be defined in slightly different ways:...

, usually in the ovary

Ovary

The ovary is an ovum-producing reproductive organ, often found in pairs as part of the vertebrate female reproductive system. Ovaries in anatomically female individuals are analogous to testes in anatomically male individuals, in that they are both gonads and endocrine glands.-Human anatomy:Ovaries...

 or fallopian tube

Fallopian tube

The Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated epithelia, leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus, via the utero-tubal junction...

. Adnexal masses can be benign or cancerous.

Causes

In premenopausal women, adnexal masses

Tumor

A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...

 include ovarian cysts, ectopic

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy, or eccysis , is a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity. With rare exceptions, ectopic pregnancies are not viable. Furthermore, they are dangerous for the parent, since internal haemorrhage is a life threatening complication...

 (tubal) pregnancies, and benign

Benign

A benign tumor is a tumor that lacks the ability to metastasize. Common examples of benign tumors include moles and uterine fibroids.The term "benign" implies a mild and nonprogressive disease. Indeed, many kinds of benign tumors are harmless to human health...

 (noncancerous) or malignant

Malignant

Malignancy is the tendency of a medical condition, especially tumors, to become progressively worse and to potentially result in death. Malignancy in cancers is characterized by anaplasia, invasiveness, and metastasis...

 (cancerous) tumors

Tumor

A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...

, endometriomas, polycystic ovaries, tubo-ovarian abscess. Most common causes for adnexal masses in premenopausal women are follicular cysts and corpus luteum cyst

Corpus luteum cyst

A Corpus luteum cyst is a type of ovarian cyst which may rupture about the time of menstruation, and take up to three months to disappear entirely. A corpus luteum cyst rarely occurs at age 50+, because eggs are no longer being produced in menopausal women....

s.

Other masses include endometriomas, polycystic ovaries, tubo-ovarian abscesses and benign neoplasms.

In postmenopausal women, adnexal masses may be caused by cancer

Cancer

Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...

, fibroids, fibroma

Fibroma

Fibromas are benign tumors that are composed of fibrous or connective tissue. They can grow in all organs, arising from mesenchyme tissue. The term "fibroblastic" or "fibromatous" is used to describe tumors of the fibrous connective tissue...

s, diverticular abscess.

External links

• Adnexal mass entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
• An article.
• Adnexal mass removal a surgical video
• Emedicine overview