Physicians at Mayo Clinic have extensive experience diagnosing adnexal tumors. To help determine the best treatment options, they use the latest diagnostic techniques. While diagnosing the cancer, physicians try to determine where the cancer began so that the most effective treatment plan possible can be formulated.
As a first step to diagnosing an adnexal tumor a physician will conduct an in-depth interview with the patient. The physician will collect details about when the condition first appeared and the symptoms experienced by the patient.
After gathering a medical history, the physician will conduct a physical examination of the patient. The doctor will perform a pelvic exam to examine the vagina, rectum and lower abdomen for masses or growths. The physician may also order blood tests, urinalysis and serum tumor marker tests.
Specialists at Mayo Clinic use high resolution imaging studies to diagnose adnexal tumors. These studies may include:
To see if an adnexal tumor contains cancerous cells, a physician may remove a small piece of the suspected tumor (biopsy), usually during surgery. Depending upon the location of the tumor, tissue may be collected using fine-needle aspiration or other techniques. Experienced pathologists examine the tissue under a microscope.