Dr. Steven R. Goldstein MD Ovarian and Cervical Cancer Screening Gynecologist NYC Doctor Steven R. Goldstein MD, a leading obgyn in Manhattan, in private practice for over twenty-five years, is also an ovarian cancer screening gynecologist in NYC. Regarding ovarian cancer, ovarian cysts never become cancer. These “functional cysts” consist of those that are formed prior to ovulation and called “follicular cysts” and those that are formed after ovulation from a small amount of bleeding into the area of ovulation. These are called “haemorrhagic cysts”. Neither of these are tumors and will not become cancerous.
Cystic changes in ovaries that are not functional or dysfunctional would be considered a “new growth” and represents a tumor, however, most of these tumors are benign while some may be malignant. It is important to note that with ovarian tumors they are benign or malignant from the start. Therefore, if we can reliably diagnose an ovarian cystic mass as being benign the chances of transforming into malignancy are virtually zero. Sonographically, we do this with color flow doppler ultrasound. Dr Goldstein looks for 1) the lack of any solid area coming off the cyst wall, and 2) the lack of any vascularity as measured by color flow Doppler ultrasound. Tumors need blood to grow, to divide, to invade, and the lack of any vascularity on color flow doppler means a lack of blood flow. This is an extremely reassuring sign.