Clinical Characteristics of Pelvic Mass

Lee, Gil Yong; So, Young Seok; Kim, Chul Sung

Abstract

PURPOSE: Reports on the clinical findings and treatments for pelvic masses are rare. Here, the clinical characteristics of pelvic masses are retrospectively evaluated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 10 patients, 5 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 47.1 years (range 16 to 65), were retrospectively reviewed through their histories, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, pathological classifications and treatment methods.
RESULTS
The most common symptoms were related to the lower urinary tract (LUTS), such as the frequency, dysuria, urinary retention and hesitancy. The mean lag time, from the initial symptoms to diagnosis, was 11 months (2-60 months). The mass mean size was 13.3cm (3.5-21cm). Of the 10 pelvic masses, 7 were benign (fibromatosis in 2, leiomyoma in 2, neurilemoma in 1, chronic inflammation in 1, and cyst in 1) and 3 were malignant (liposarcoma in 2 and leiomyosarcoma in 1). Complete and partial resections of the mass were performed as the treatments in 6 and 3 cases, respectively; with the other case being inoperable due to distant metastasis.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the presenting symptoms of a pelvic mass are LUTS and slow progression, thus an early diagnosis is difficult. A pelvic mass tends to be benign rather than malignant.