Synonyms/Description Leiomyoma, myoma, fibromyoma, and uterine fibroma Etiology Fibroids are the most common benign pelvic tumor in women. The prevalence in women age 50 and older is estimated at 80% in African Americans and up to 70% in Caucasians. Others have estimated a lower incidence (up to 50% of perimenopausal women). Myomas are thought to be monoclonal and originate from a single myocyte that undergoes somatic…

Synonyms/Description Epidermal cyst or sebaceous cyst of the ovary Mature monophyletic teratoma Etiology Epidermoid cysts are benign cysts, lined by mature keratinizing squamous epithelium but without hair (unlike dermoids). These lesions represent less than 0.25% of all ovarian neoplasms. Two main theories exist regarding the etiology: This may be a monophyletic variant of a dermoid or teratoma with only the epithelial component present, resulting in a…

Synonyms/Description Endometriosis signifies the presence of endometrial tissue outside the endometrial cavity. These ectopic glands respond to the cyclical hormones, thus causing microscopic internal bleeding and pain during the course of the menstrual cycle. This ectopic tissue bleeds episodically, causing inflammation, adhesions, and scarring. These ectopic glands can also react to hormones of pregnancy. Etiology The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown and there are multiple…

Synonyms/Description Endometrial proliferation Etiology Endometrial hyperplasia refers to abnormal proliferation of endometrial glands and stroma, representing a spectrum of endometrial abnormalities ranging from benign overgrowth to precancerous tissue. Endometrial hyperplasia can cause a diffusely thickened endometrium or, less commonly, focal thickening within the cavity. You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a…

Synonyms/Description Uterine cancer Etiology Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female genital tract. The overall 5-year survival rate is 85%, 75%, 45%, and 25% for stages I through IV, respectively. Risk factors for endometrial cancer include obesity, diabetes, nulliparity, estrogen-producing ovarian tumors, polycystic ovarian syndrome, advanced age, unopposed estrogen therapy, tamoxifen, and a family history of nonpolypoid colorectal cancer. The prognosis depends on…

Synonyms/Description Tubal, cornual, cervical, ovarian, or abdominal pregnancy/ectopic Etiology An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs as a result of implantation of a fertilized ovum outside the endometrial cavity. Ectopic pregnancy occurs in approximately 1.5% to 2.0% of gestations and can be life threatening, accounting for 6% of all maternal deaths because of late presentation or unrecognized symptoms. Ectopic pregnancy is most common in the…

Synonyms/Description Malignant germ cell tumor diagnosed predominantly in young adults ages 20 to 30. The most common benign germ cell tumor is the mature teratoma, commonly called a dermoid cyst (see Dermoid Cyst ). Etiology Primitive germ cell tumors include the dysgerminoma, immature teratoma, endodermal sinus/yolk sac tumor, embryonal carcinoma, and nongestational choriocarcinoma. Ovarian dysgerminomas arise from primordial germ cells and represent 1% to 2% of…

Synonyms/Description Mature cystic teratoma Etiology This is a benign germ cell tumor containing ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, thought to arise from a single germ cell. Components may include hair, teeth, fat, and bone. These tumors represent 25% of all ovarian neoplasms and 60% of all benign ovarian tumors. They are bilateral and or recurrent in 10% of cases. These lesions are benign and typically occur in…

Synonyms/Description Benign ovarian tumor that arises from surface epithelium and underlying cortical connective tissue of the ovary. Etiology These are rare benign ovarian tumors representing less than 2% of benign ovarian neoplasms. Originally thought to be fibrous variants of cystadenomas (the most common benign epithelial ovarian neoplasms), these tumors actually originate from the surface epithelium as well as the underlying cortical connective tissue of the ovary.…

Synonyms/Description Simple cyst Clear ovarian cyst Etiology A simple ovarian cyst is a clear, thin-walled, unilocular cyst. Premenopausal Simple cysts up to 3 cm in maximal diameter are considered normal physiologic follicles in cycling women, and thus should not be reported as a cyst, particularly when the patient is midcycle. If a clear simple cyst does not resolve, it may be extraovarian, specifically paraovarian or paratubal.…

Synonyms/Description Functional cyst (corpus luteum) No synonym for hemorrhagic cyst Etiology The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient structure formed as a result of ovulation, due to the midcycle luteinizing hormone surge from the pituitary gland. The CL is responsible for the production of progesterone, hence the term “functional cyst.” It is necessary for regulating menses and for maintaining a pregnancy until it develops the ability…

Synonyms/Description Uterine dehiscence Etiology Cesarean sections (C-sections) are performed in the United States at the rate of 20% to 50% of deliveries depending on clinical environment and demographics. The C-section scar is readily visible sonographically in the nonpregnant uterus as a focal narrowing of the anterior lower uterine segment, which becomes more pronounced with increasing number of prior sections. There is often a small myometrial discontinuity…

Synonyms/Description None Etiology Cervical cancer accounts for the majority of cervical malignancies and is second to breast cancer in incidence worldwide. Approximately 85% to 95% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas and develop at the squamous-columnar junction. Adenocarcinomas represent only 5% of cervical cancers and arise from glandular cells found in the endocervical canal. Squamous cell lesions of the cervix are typically detected early using…

Synonyms/Description Transitional cell tumor of the ovary Typically asymptomatic, rare, benign ovarian tumor Etiology These tumors account for approximately 3.2% of ovarian epithelial neoplasms and typically occur in the fourth to sixth decades of life. They belong to the combined surface epithelial-stromal group of tumors, although they have been described as having similar histologic appearance to transitional cell tumors of the urothelium. You’re Reading a Preview…

Synonyms/Description Pelvic masses related to bowel such as appendicitis, endometriosis, colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, lymphoma, sarcoma, or other bowel-specific diseases identified on a pelvic ultrasound Etiology There are multiple etiologies in this grouping of bowel diseases. The etiologies range from inflammatory/infectious such as appendicitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and diverticulitis to neoplasms such as lymphomas, carcinomas, and sarcomas. In the small bowel, neuroendocrine tumors,…

Synonyms/Description Tumor of low malignant potential (LMP tumor) Etiology Ten to fifteen percent of epithelial ovarian tumors are considered borderline malignancies. They tend to occur in women in their forties and fifties, younger than those with frankly invasive tumors, and they are not thought to be related to hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndromes. These tumors are stage I at diagnosis in more than 90% of patients, have…

Synonyms/Description Bladder tumor Focal bladder lesion Etiology Transitional Cell Cancer In the United States, bladder cancer is reportedly the fourth most common malignancy. The vast majority of bladder neoplasms arise from the epithelium, with urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma accounting for 90% of cases. Squamous cell carcinoma is rare and accounts for 2% to 15% of bladder cancers. The least common is adenocarcinoma, which may be primary…

Synonyms/Description Endometrial atrophy Etiology Endometrial atrophy is most often the result of postmenopausal status, although it may also occur in premenopausal women with lack of estrogen from other etiologies. You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a member. Log in here

Synonyms/Description A mucocele is an appendiceal mass characterized by hypersecretion of mucus contained within the appendix causing dilatation of the lumen. Etiology Mucoceles of the appendix are caused by excessive mucous production secondary to retention cyst (simple) (18%), mucosal hyperplasia (20%), mucinous cystadenoma (52% to 84%), or mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (10% to 20%). They occur in males twice as frequently as females and most often in the…

Synonyms/Description Benign adhesions trapping fluid Etiology Peritoneal inclusion cysts develop from peritoneal adhesions trapping fluid, often generated from an active ovary. The normal peritoneum absorbs fluid regularly. When the peritoneum is injured, as can occur with surgery, infection, or endometriosis, normal fluid absorption is hampered. This results in fluid accumulation within adhesions or peritoneal inclusion cysts. Reportedly at least 70% of all patients with peritoneal inclusion…