Pediatric Ovarian Tumors

What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Ovarian Tumors?

• Back pain
• Bloating or abdominal swelling
• Fatigue (feeling tired)
• Feeling unusually full
• Frequent urination
• Palpable mass (a hard lump)
• Upset stomach or heartburn
• Vaginal discharge
• Pain in the pelvis (below the stomach and in between hip bones) or abdomen (between the chest and the pelvis)

What are the causes of Pediatric Ovarian Tumors?

The cause of ovarian tumors is unknown, but research has shown the following risk factors are linked to an increased chance of developing them.

Risk factors

• Age – a child’s risk increases as they become older
• Age of first menstruation (period) – on average, girls begin their cycles at age 12. The earlier the beginning of the cycle, the higher the risk.
• Family history – children with close relatives, especially their own mothers, who have had breast or ovarian cancer.
• Total number of ovulations – the more ovulation cycles a girl experiences, the higher her risk. This can be impacted if she has been on birth control or has been pregnant.
• Weight – girls with higher body mass indexes have an increased risk of developing ovarian tumors.

How are Pediatric Ovarian Tumors treated?

Should the cyst enlarge to an abnormal size it may require excision. Saving the ovary is possible in benign tumors. Often, this can be done with a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) approach that saves the associated ovary. If the cyst is very large an open operation may be required to remove it.

Ovarian tumors and cysts occasionally cause twisting of the ovary and fallopian tube. In these cases, they are found when a patient is evaluated for abdominal pain. Twisted ovaries require prompt surgery to prevent damage to the ovary from lack of circulation.