Ovarian tumor

What is an ovarian tumor?

An ovarian tumour is an abnormal growth on the ovary. These range from harmless masses to serious cancers, making accurate identification essential.

• Benign (non-cancerous): the most common type, including functional cysts and dermoids. These usually only need monitoring or simple removal.

• Borderline: slow-growing growths that aren't fully cancerous but require surgery and long-term follow-up to ensure they don't return.

• Malignant (ovarian cancer): most ovarian masses are benign, while a smaller proportion are malignant. The most common is epithelial cancer, while others can produce hormones or affect younger women.

Symptoms of ovarian tumor

Ovarian tumours frequently cause no symptoms until they are large or have spread beyond the ovary. When symptoms occur they are often non-specific:

• Persistent bloating or abdominal distension

• Pelvic pain or pressure, particularly one-sided

• Feeling full quickly or difficulty eating normal amounts

• Urinary urgency or frequency from pressure on the bladder

• Changes in bowel habits including constipation

• Unexplained fatigue and weight changes

• Irregular menstrual bleeding or postmenopausal bleeding

• In hormone-producing tumours: symptoms of oestrogen or androgen excess including abnormal bleeding, virilisation, or Cushingoid features

The key clinical feature that distinguishes ovarian cancer from benign causes is persistence. Symptoms that occur most days, are new, and persist for more than a few weeks warrant prompt investigation.

What causes ovarian tumor?

The causes differ between tumour types. For malignant ovarian tumours the main contributing factors include:

• Genetic mutations: BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations significantly increase lifetime ovarian cancer risk to approximately 39 to 58% and 13 to 29% respectively. Lynch syndrome also confers elevated risk.

• Family history: a first-degree relative with ovarian cancer significantly raises individual risk.

• Age: epithelial ovarian cancer is most common in postmenopausal women, with peak incidence in the 60s and 70s.

• Endometriosis: it is associated with a modestly increased risk of certain ovarian cancer subtypes, particularly clear cell and endometrioid carcinomas.

• Nulliparity and infertility: they are associated with higher ovarian cancer risk, while pregnancy and breastfeeding are protective.

• Hormone replacement therapy: long-term menopausal hormone therapy, particularly oestrogen-only therapy, is associated with a modest increase in ovarian cancer risk.

• Obesity: increases risk through chronic inflammation and hormonal dysregulation.

Ovarian tumours are detected primarily through pelvic imaging, with blood tests providing tumour marker and hormonal context.

Pelvic MRI Elfcare’s full-body MRI provides excellent characterisation of ovarian masses. It looks at the size, shape, and internal details to tell the difference between harmless cysts and serious tumours. Finding a mass on an MRI can lead to early, life-saving treatment before symptoms even appear.

Blood tests provide tumour marker and hormonal context alongside the imaging findings. Relevant markers in Elfcare's panel include:

• Hormones (oestradiol, progesterone, LH and FSH): can provide context in some cases, particularly when a hormone-producing ovarian tumour is suspected

• Testosterone: high levels can point toward specific "stromal" tumours that produce male hormones.

• CRP: high inflammation can be a sign of a more advanced or aggressive growth.

• HbA1c and glucose: checks metabolic health, as insulin issues are linked to higher risks.

• Haemoglobin and ferritin: screens for anaemia, which is common if a tumour causes irregular bleeding.

• Albumin: low levels, especially alongside fluid buildup, can be a warning sign of advanced disease.

Why early detection matters

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy, largely because it is almost always diagnosed at an advanced stage when treated through symptoms alone. The absence of a reliable population screening programme makes incidental detection through imaging the most realistic opportunity for early diagnosis. An ovarian mass found on Elfcare's MRI in an asymptomatic woman can initiate a diagnostic pathway that, if it leads to an early-stage cancer diagnosis, fundamentally changes the outcome. Benign masses identified early allow for monitoring or elective removal before complications such as torsion, rupture, or significant growth occur.

How Elfcare can help

Elfcare's pelvic MRI images both ovaries directly and provides detailed characterisation of ovarian masses, helping identify features that may suggest a benign or potentially malignant lesion and guide further investigation. For ovarian tumours, early incidental detection through MRI is one of the most clinically impactful outcomes a full body health check can produce. Epithelial ovarian cancer detected at stage 1, before it has spread beyond the ovary, has a five-year survival rate exceeding 90%. When the disease is diagnosed at an advanced stage, survival is substantially lower, highlighting the importance of early investigation.

Our blood panel covers hormonal markers, metabolic risk factors, and systemic indicators relevant to ovarian tumour assessment and context.

If our MRI or blood tests identify an ovarian mass or suspicious finding, we take care of further diagnostics or refer you to the appropriate specialist.