Overview
Ovarian fibroma is a rare, benign (non-cancerous) tumor that grows in the ovary. It belongs to a group of tumors called sex cord-stromal tumors, which develop from the connective tissue cells that support the ovary. Ovarian fibromas make up a small percentage of all ovarian tumors, and they are most commonly found in women who are middle-aged or older, typically around or after menopause. These tumors are usually solid, slow-growing, and found on one ovary. Most ovarian fibromas do not produce hormones, so they often grow silently without causing obvious symptoms at first. As the tumor gets larger, women may notice pelvic pain, a feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen, or bloating. In some cases, a condition called Meigs syndrome can develop, where fluid builds up around the lungs (pleural effusion) and in the abdomen (ascites), which can cause shortness of breath and abdominal swelling. This can sometimes be mistaken for a sign of cancer, but it resolves once the tumor is removed. The main treatment for ovarian fibroma is surgery. In younger women who wish to preserve fertility, the surgeon may remove only the tumor or the affected ovary. In older women or when the tumor is large, removal of the ovary and sometimes the fallopian tube may be recommended. Because these tumors are benign, the outlook after surgery is generally excellent, and recurrence is rare.
Key symptoms:
Pelvic pain or discomfortAbdominal bloating or swellingFeeling of fullness or pressure in the lower bellyFluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)Fluid buildup around the lungs causing shortness of breathIrregular menstrual periodsDifficulty breathing when lying flatUnexplained weight gain from fluid retentionConstipation or urinary frequency from pressure on nearby organsA pelvic mass felt during a physical examNo symptoms at all in early stages
Clinical phenotype terms (11)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Ovarian fibroma.
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Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Ovarian fibroma.
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my ovarian fibroma likely to be benign, and how can you be sure it is not cancerous?,What type of surgery do you recommend, and will I be able to have children afterward?,Could this tumor be related to a genetic condition like Gorlin syndrome, and should I have genetic testing?,What are the risks of the surgery, and how long will recovery take?,Is there any chance the tumor could come back after it is removed?,Do I have Meigs syndrome, and will the fluid go away after surgery?,How often should I have follow-up appointments after treatment?
Common questions about Ovarian fibroma
What is Ovarian fibroma?
Ovarian fibroma is a rare, benign (non-cancerous) tumor that grows in the ovary. It belongs to a group of tumors called sex cord-stromal tumors, which develop from the connective tissue cells that support the ovary. Ovarian fibromas make up a small percentage of all ovarian tumors, and they are most commonly found in women who are middle-aged or older, typically around or after menopause. These tumors are usually solid, slow-growing, and found on one ovary. Most ovarian fibromas do not produce hormones, so they often grow silently without causing obvious symptoms at first. As the tumor gets l
How is Ovarian fibroma inherited?
Ovarian fibroma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Ovarian fibroma typically begin?
Typical onset of Ovarian fibroma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Ovarian fibroma?
8 specialists and care centers treating Ovarian fibroma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.