ovarian cancer vs polycystic ovaries?

[Pernille93]

Can ovarian cancer be mistaken for polycystic ovaries on a transvaginal ultrasound - or do they look different?

[Pernille93]

So they can believe this 'string of cysts' is one big cysts with seperations? But what about the other way around? Can they think that this 'string of pearls' is just PCOS, while it actually is cancer and NOT PCOS?? or is it easy to tell the difference?

[old_before_my_time]

Yes, the reverse is also true. However, again even if it is one large complex cyst, most of those are benign / non-cancerous. If you have these cysts on both ovaries, that is another indication that it is PCOS. Ovarian cancer does not typically present in both ovaries simultaneously.

[old_before_my_time]

Polycystic ovaries can be misinterpreted as complex cysts. The reason for this is that the cysts in PCOS are a cluster of simple cysts that can give the appearance on imaging as one (larger) cyst with septations.

However, most ovarian cysts, tumors and masses are benign / non-cancerous. Ovarian cancer is rare but, sadly, typically has a poor prognosis mainly because it isn't diagnosed early.

[Pernille93]

So they can believe this 'string of cysts' is one big cysts with seperations? But what about the other way around? Can they think that this 'string of pearls' is just PCOS, while it actually is cancer and NOT PCOS?? or is it easy to tell the difference?