Adnexal masses in pregnancy

The incidence of adnexal masses in pregnant women is 1/81-1/2500 live births. Since ultrasound examination has become a routine component of current obstetric management, nearly 1% of women have an adnexal mass diagnosed during pregnancy. Dermoid cysts are the most common adnexal masses seen in pregnancy. The second and third common ovarian tumor affected pregnant women are serous or mu-cinous cystadenoma and endometrioma. Also all of the functional ovarian cysts are frequently seen in this period. Malignant ovarian neoplasms account for 2-6% of all persistent adnexal masses diagnosed during pregnancy. The frequency of ovarian cancer in pregnant women is 1/18000 to 1/25000 pregnancy. Management of adnexal masses during pregnancy remains controversial. If a mass is diagnosed early in pregnancy, it is reasonable to follow it with serial pelvic ultrasound examination, Complex ovarian masses or cysts having any malignancy characteristics should be removed. The ideal time for laparotomy is between 16 and 22 weeks gestation.