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300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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My Child Has:
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Ovarian Tumors
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Ovarian tumors in girls are very different than in adult women. There are over a dozen different types of tumors that girls may have. Some are malignant (cancerous), but about 4 out of 5 ovarian tumors in girls less than 8 years old are benign (not a cancer).
From one fifth to one half of so called tumors of the ovaries are not really tumors but cysts. Unlike tumors, cysts - typically sacs containing liquid or semisolid material - are also usually benign It is normal for newborn baby girls to have cysts on their ovaries, which may be seen on prenatal ultrasounds. These cysts may be as large as 2 inches in size after birth and still go away on their own without causing problems.
Tumors and cysts can appear on one or both ovaries, singly or in clusters.
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The cause of ovarian tumors in children is unknown. In adolescence, ovarian cysts can develop in response to fluctuating levels of female sex hormones during the menstrual cycle. For more information on how ovarian tumors develop, see germ cell tumors.
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A young child with an ovarian tumor may have no symptoms at all or may experience the following symptoms:
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- A mass or lump within the abdomen
- Persistent abdominal aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating of the abdomen
- Frequent urination or retention of urine
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Among girls younger than 8 years of age, an ovarian tumor or cyst may cause secretions of estrogen, a female hormone, which produces:
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- Breast enlargement
- Pubic hair
- Vaginal discharge or bleeding
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In many girls the ovarian tumor is found after a mass is felt by a parent or the child's physician. The mass may be very large when first noticed. If your child has such a mass, you may be referred to a specialized hospital treatment center. Accurate diagnosis and classification of an ovarian tumor is important so that malignant tumors can be treated early. Ovarian tumors can be difficult to diagnose, however, because its symptoms can mimic symptoms of other disorders, such as appendicitis.
One of the first tests performed is usually an ultrasound of the ovaries, which is the best test to show the tumor. The tumor is probably not cancerous if the ultrasound shows an ovarian cyst filled with clear fluid. If it shows debris in the cyst fluid, or if the tumor has solid parts, then more tests will be needed, and can include:
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- Laparoscopy: a surgical procedure that allows the examination of the interior of the abdomen using a special instrument called a laraposcope. This procedure is used to determine size, grade and the stage of the tumor.
- Biopsy: a surgical prodecure that involves removal and laboratory analysis of a small portion of the tumor.
- Urine and blood tests
- Computerized tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called "slices"), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.
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Most ovarian cysts filled with clear fluid go away without any treatment. Cysts bigger than 2 inches across may need to be drained with a needle to keep them from twisting and pinching off the ovary's blood supply. Girls with cysts with debris in them or with solid parts need to have an operation. Treatment of ovarian tumors during childhood and adolescence is complex, requiring that a delicate balance be achieved between eliminating the tumor and, if possible, preserving the child's capacity to conceive and bear children. If the tumor is benign it may be possible to remove it and keep the rest of the ovary alive, however, usually the ovary must be removed too.
Successful treatment of malignant tumors may involve a combination of the following:
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- surgery - biopsy and surgical removal of tumors or involved organs, performed by a surgeon
- chemotherapy - a drug treatment that works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells and shrink tumors. Often, a combination of chemotherapy drugs is used to fight a specific cancer. Certain chemotherapy drugs may be given in a specific order depending on the type of cancer it is being used to treat. While chemotherapy can be quite effective in treating certain cancers, the agents do not differentiate normal healthy cells from cancer cells. Because of this, there can be many adverse side effects during treatment. Being able to anticipate these side effects can help the care team, parents, and child prepare, and, in some cases, prevent these symptoms from occurring, if possible.
- radiation therapy - using high-energy rays (radiation) from a specialized machine to damage or kill cancer cells and shrink tumors
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In conjunction with the Department of Pediatric Oncology and the Dana Farber Cancer Center, the Department of Surgery participates in several national studies that are looking into more effective ways to treat girls with ovarian tumors that involve the least surgery.
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For more information go to the Center for Young Women's Health website.
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The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice,
which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional. |
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Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved. |
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