Ovarian Cyst (Q&A)

1.      What is Ovarian Cyst ?

        An ovarian cyst is a sac filled with liquid or semi-liquid material that arises in an ovary (see the image below). Although the discovery of an ovarian cyst causes considerable anxiety in women owing to fears of malignancy, the vast majority of these lesions are benign.

2.      Types of Ovarian Cyst ?

         There are various types of ovarian cysts, such as dermoid cysts and endometrioma cysts. However, functional cysts are the most common type. The two(2) types of Functional Cysts include Follicle and Corpus Luteum Cysts.

• Follicle cyst : During a woman’s menstrual cycle, an egg grows in a sac called a follicle. This sac is located inside the ovaries. In most cases, this follicle or sac breaks open and releases an egg. But if the follicle doesn’t break open, the fluid inside the follicle can form a cyst on the ovary.

• Corpus luteum cysts : Follicle sacs typically dissolve after releasing an egg. But if the sac doesn’t dissolve and the opening of the follicle seals, additional fluid can develop inside the sac and this accumulation of fluid causes a corpus luteum cyst.

Other Types of Cysts : 

• Dermoid cysts  : sac-like growths on the ovaries that can contain hair, fat, and other   tissues.
• Cystadenomas  : non-cancerous growths that can develop on the outer surface of the ovaries.
• Endometriomas : tissues that normally grow inside the uterus can develop outside the uterus and attach to the ovaries, resulting in a cyst. 

Some women develop a condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This condition means the ovaries contain a large number of small cysts. It can cause the ovaries to enlarge, and if left untreated, polycystic ovaries can cause infertility.

3.      Symptoms of Ovarian Cyst ?

·         MOSTLY ASYMPTOMATIC, Detected coincidently during the USG check up.

·         Pain or bloating in the abdomen.

·         Difficulty urinating, or frequent need to urinate.

·         Dull ache in the lower back.

·         Pain during sexual intercourse.

·         Painful menstruation and abnormal bleeding.

·         Weight gain.

·         Nausea or vomiting.

·         Loss of appetite, feeling full quickly.

4.      Treatment for Ovarian Cyst ?

Functional ovarian cysts often DO NOT need treatment. They often go away on their own within 8 to 12 weeks.

If you have frequent cysts, you may prescribe birth control pills (oral contraceptives). These medicines may reduce the risk of developing new ovarian cysts. Birth control pills do not decrease the size of current cysts.

Surgery to remove the cyst or ovary may be needed to make sure that it is not ovarian cancer. Surgery is more likely to be needed for:

·         Complex ovarian cysts that do not go away with oral treatment.

·         Cysts that are causing symptoms and do not go away.

·         Simple ovarian cysts that are larger than 10 centimeters.

·         Women who are near menopause or post menopause.

Types of surgery for ovarian cysts include:

·         Exploratory laparotomy, is done when the tumor/cyst is BIG in size or the tumor/cyst is suspected to be Malignancy.

·         Pelvic LAPAROSCOPY to remove the cyst or the ovary, latest method in current globalization world with less invasion and fast recovery.

(see the video below)