Final answer:
When diagnosing ovarian masses, benign ones typically feature smooth borders and are often cystic, whereas malignant masses usually have irregular borders, are more solid, and may exhibit more aggressive growth and potential for metastasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
To diagnose a benign versus a malignant ovarian mass, doctors typically look for certain characteristics on imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans. A benign ovarian mass generally has smooth borders and is often cystic, meaning fluid-filled, which tends to be less concerning for malignancy. On the other hand, a malignant ovarian mass tends to have irregular borders, be more solid in composition, and may grow more rapidly. Additionally, benign masses typically do not invade other tissues or form metastases, and they might be removed surgically for comfort or if they have the potential to become cancerous. Malignant masses, which are cancerous, can invade surrounding tissues, grow without limits, and spread to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis.