Serous papillary cystadenoma is a fairly common benign tumor of the ovary which is known to affect women in the age group of 40 to 60 years. The tumor is not cancerous and does not spread. It is a slow growing tumor and typically presents as a single cyst in an ovary. Seldom, it may occur as multiple tumor masses within a single ovary, or could afflict both ovaries too.
The tumor is considered the serous type based on its appearance when seen under the microscope. The condition may be asymptomatic or could present as pain in the abdomen, vaginal bleeding, and increased abdominal size. It may be detected accidentally during a sonogram of the abdomen carried out for other health reasons.
The treatment for the condition is total surgical excision of the tumor. Timely and prompt management of the case promises good prognosis and fewer complications.
Risk Factors For Serous Papillary Cystadenoma
The precise cause for the occurrence of the occurrence of serous papillary cystadenoma of ovary is not known but some of the risk factors are:
- Serous papillary cystadenoma is commonly seen in the age group of 40 to 60 years.
- Women who are obese and post-menopausal women who are on to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are at great risk.
- The precise etiological factor for the occurrence of serous papillary cystadenoma of ovary is yet unknown; it is known to occur spontaneously.
- Researchers have recognized genetic changes within the tumor. Nevertheless, studies regarding genetic changes are still quite limited.
Symptoms Of Serous Cystadenoma Ovary
The signs and symptoms include:
- Discomfort and pain in the abdomen and pelvis.
- Swelling in the abdomen due to the tumor mass or because of fluid accumulation.
- A constant feeling of abdominal bloating along with nausea and / or vomiting.
- Changes in bowel movements, diarrhea alternating with constipation.
- Easy satiety after eating very little.
- Loss of appetite with loss of weight.
- Fatigue and exhaustion.
- Abnormal menstrual bleeding.
- Vaginal bleeding.
- In some cases, there may not be any signs and symptoms at all.
- Serous papillary cystadenoma of ovary is a slow growing tumor and it more often than not manifests as a well defined, painless single mass in the ovary. Typically, the mass is less than 5 cm in size; however some grow to bigger sizes. The tumor is detected on an abdominal USG.
Management Of Serous Cystadenoma Of The Ovary
Once you have been examined and all the necessary tests and investigations have been carried out, your OB/GYN will decide on the most optimal line of treatment for you. The following measures are usually undertaken to manage serous papillary cystadenoma of ovary:
- If the tumor mass is small, generally, your doctor will advise no treatment at all, given that, these tumors are benign; he will advocate a wait and watch policy.
- In rest of the cases, your doctor will completely remove the tumor mass; and by and large, this is considered curative.
- Post operative care is very vital; minimal physical activity should be done, until the surgical wounds heal.
- By and large, the serous papillary cystadenoma does not cause any major complications. On the other hand, a few complications that could occur include -rupture of the cyst in the abdomen and torsion of the ovary.