Ovarian Fibroma : Clinical Features
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Clinical Features: Ovarian fibromas occur most frequently in middle-aged women (50-60 years of age). They are rare under the age of 30 years (except in patients with Gorlin syndrome - aka Hereditary Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome). Majority of them are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during surgery for unrelated conditions.
About 40% of patients develop abdominal pain and distension, palpable pelvic mass, and urinary frequency. About 5% of cases are complicated by torsion and present with acute abdominal pain. Steroid hormone production is rare. Large ovarian fibromas (>10 cm) may produce ascites (10-15% of cases) or both ascites and pleural effusion (Meigs syndrome; 1-2% of cases). CA125 levels may be elevated and, in the presence of a palpable mass, pleural effusion and ascites, may simulate clinical picture of an ovarian malignancy.
About this image: Gross specimen of an ovarian fibroma showing solid, homogenous, yellow-white cut surface. Image courtesy of Ed Uthman, MD, Houston, Texas. Used with permission.
About 40% of patients develop abdominal pain and distension, palpable pelvic mass, and urinary frequency. About 5% of cases are complicated by torsion and present with acute abdominal pain. Steroid hormone production is rare. Large ovarian fibromas (>10 cm) may produce ascites (10-15% of cases) or both ascites and pleural effusion (Meigs syndrome; 1-2% of cases). CA125 levels may be elevated and, in the presence of a palpable mass, pleural effusion and ascites, may simulate clinical picture of an ovarian malignancy.
About this image: Gross specimen of an ovarian fibroma showing solid, homogenous, yellow-white cut surface. Image courtesy of Ed Uthman, MD, Houston, Texas. Used with permission.