Ovarian cysts are typically noted after clinical screening, or as a result of exam for a suspected pelvic mass, or an incidental finding in investigations done for other reasons.
Most ovarian masses manifest with few or mild nonspecific symptoms.
Ovarian masses in women of reproductive age are mostly benign but the risk of malignancy increases with age.
Ovarian cysts in the prepubertal patients especially after the first week of life are abnormal and likely to be neoplastic. In adolescent patients, majority of ovarian masses are functional cysts.