indicators of a benign lesion
Last reviewed 01/2018
Benign lesions are usually smooth walled, cystic, and freely mobile. When small, they may be felt within the pelvic cavity by bimanual examination. They are frequently unilateral.
Notable exceptions are large tumours which may rise into the abdomen. Bimanual pelvic examination is then unremarkable but the tumour may be delineated by abdominal palpation.
A benign lesion may adhere to an adjacent structure because of infection or be immobile on account of it's size.
Benign cystic teratomas may feel "doughy" due to their sebaceous content.
Abdominal percussion usually demonstrates dullness anteriorly with resonance in the flanks as the bowel is displaced laterally. Shifting dullness due to ascites may only occur with some fibromas.