Ovarian Tumours
Ovarian tumours (a tumour is a swelling, not necessarily a Cancer) are usually benign, with the majority being cystic and arising from the supporting cells of the ovary, though some occur as a result of endometriosis (where there is seeding of cells from the lining of the womb onto the ovarian surface), and others arise from the germ cells. These produce tumours called teratomas which may contain lots of different cell types, including such things as teeth and hair (because germ cells, by definition, have the potential to turn into any cell type in the body, since this is what the body comes from). Such cysts may be asymptomatic, and found incidentally during examination for a cervical smear, for example, or they may cause symptoms as a result of their size or because they twist or bleed, causing pain.
Six per cent of ovarian tumours are malignant, or cancerous, usually as a result of malignant change in a previously benign tumour. There is no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer, and often it has spread by the time it is diagnosed. Since it is not possible to decide whether a tumour or cyst is benign or malignant simply by looking or feeling, some feel they should be removed to be analysed. If it is ovarian cancer the management depends on the extent of the disease. There is some evidence that some families carry an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, so people with a first degree relative with the disease may wish to seek genetic counselling
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