Pregnancies complicated by adnexal masses: a case series

Adnexal masses>or=5 cm in diameter are rare during pregnancy.

We present our experience on six pregnant women with adnexal masses diagnosed and operated during pregnancy and/or at the time of cesarean section.

Carefully selected cases with a unilateral mass and a solid component with normal tumor marker result can be followed until term and adnexectomy can be performed during cesarean section. On the contrary, gross adnexal masses, even with normal tumor marker levels should be operated when diagnosed, but these women might deliver small for gestational age infants.

By depending upon restricted criteria according to tumor markers, ultrasound or other radiological imaging techniques, some patients with an adnexal mass carrying an important risk factor for malignancy may be overlooked.