Ovarian cancer during pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Obstetrics
• Gynecologic Oncology

Background:

• Adnexal masses during pregnancy are rare and pose diagnostic challenges due to overlapping imaging and histopathological features.
• Management decisions between expectant care and surgery require careful consideration of maternal and fetal risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To familiarize radiologists with the imaging characteristics of adnexal lesions in pregnancy.
• To aid in the identification of both benign and malignant adnexal masses, including mimics of ovarian cancer.

Main Methods:

• Review of common benign and malignant adnexal masses encountered during pregnancy.
• Detailed description of imaging findings on ultrasonography (US) with Doppler and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Results:

• Most adnexal masses in pregnancy are benign (e.g., functional cysts, mature cystic teratomas).
• Malignant masses such as dysgerminoma and granulosa cell tumors are less common but require prompt identification.
• Ovarian torsion is a potential complication of adnexal masses.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasonography with Doppler is the primary imaging modality for pregnant patients with adnexal masses.
• MRI serves as a valuable second-line tool for indeterminate US findings.
• Accurate imaging interpretation is crucial for appropriate management and timely diagnosis of ovarian cancer.