4 cm mass where left ovary would be

My mother is 80 years old and had a ct scan done on her stomach.  They found a 4 cm mass on her left side where her left ovary would be.  she had a full hysterectomy when she was 40 years old, no ovaries left.  So, my question is what possibly could this mass be.  She is concerned about having a laparoscopy done.  Her doctor said it could of been there for a long time.  But my mom is concerned that it could be something growing and become worse.  What could is possibly be?  Could a mass be cancer?  The doctor said it could be something or nothing.  Please give my your opinion.  My mother is very upset about this.  Other than this, my mom is healthy and a young 80 year old.
thank you,
Jessica Desrochers

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

dear Jessica
a 4 cm mass in an 80 year old woman is not normal. It could be an ovarian remnant that has developed a tumor (benign or malignant). It is possible that 40 years ago, her ovary was not removed and we are seeing an ovary with a growth on it.
It is also possible that this mass is related to her colon.
I think it is reasonable to consider a laparoscopy to evaluate this growth. prior to doing this, I would recommend a colonoscopy to check the colon.
best wishes

[Sunes]

Hi there. I am very sorry to hear about your Mom. If she had her ovaries removed at 40  this possibly can be a Post Ovarian Syndrome or something else. Being a mass as they described it also can be fatty tissue or anything.
I have two cysts in my pelvis .They started to grow 6 months after my surgery and now are 6 and 7 cm big BUT I am not concerned about how big my cysts are what's inside them! There is a mural like shadows in both but very small. they wanted to operate right away but I declined. The cysts stopped growing and the thing inside too. So It was my good gut feeling not to operate.
You go for second opinions with your Mom and tell her not to worry ahead because worry may turn the mass into something ugly.
I pray for your success with second opinions and wish your Mom best of everything.
Stay positive at all times for you Mom sake. If my husband did not keep me focused I would be abasket case..
Sunes.