Are ovarian cysts serious?

Written by Hou Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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Ovarian tissue is very complex in composition. It is the site with the most types of primary tumors among all body organs. Different types of ovarian tumors exhibit significant differences in histological structure and biological behavior. Benign ovarian tumors are typically small, often asymptomatic, and are usually discovered incidentally during gynecological examinations. As cysts grow, one may experience abdominal bloating or feel a mass in the abdomen. During examination, abdominal distention can be observed, the mass is usually mobile, percussion shows a dull sound, and there is no shifting dullness. If the tumor is malignant, there are often no symptoms in the early stages; later stages mainly present with symptoms of abdominal bloating, abdominal masses, and gastrointestinal symptoms. If adhesions occur with surrounding tissues, symptoms of compression, such as abdominal pain, back pain, and leg pain may also appear. Therefore, ovarian tumors should be treated promptly once detected.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is ovarian cyst surgery performed?

Currently, in clinical practice for ovarian cyst surgery, options include open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. The choice of surgery type needs to be based on the extent of the patient's ovarian cyst, the patient's wishes, and the size of the surgical area, which are all factors that should be integrated into the decision-making process. Furthermore, the specific implementation of the surgery also needs to consider the patient's age, the nature of the ovarian cyst, and the patient's wishes. Options available include ovarian cystectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy. If the tumor is malignant, a more extensive surgical approach may be required.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Are ovarian cysts easy to treat?

Most ovarian cysts are physiological. If it's the first time an ovarian cyst is detected, it can be observed, and a re-examination can be conducted after two months. If the cyst disappears or reduces in size, it is physiological and there is no need for concern or treatment. However, if the ovarian cyst has not reduced but has increased in size after two months, this is pathological, indicating an ovarian tumor. In this case, surgical treatment is necessary. This is because if an ovarian tumor persists for a long period, it may become malignant or lead to ovarian torsion, both of which can affect the body adversely.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Do ovarian cysts hurt?

Most ovarian cysts do not cause abdominal pain, especially when they are small and benign. However, some patients with ovarian cysts may experience abdominal pain symptoms. For example, endometriotic cysts, also known as chocolate cysts, can cause severe lower abdominal pain, particularly manifesting as menstrual-like abdominal pain. When these pain symptoms occur, the primary reason patients initially visit local hospitals is to undergo medical examination for the condition.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Ovarian cysts have no symptoms

Most ovarian cysts are physiological, so few people experience symptoms. Common ovarian cysts include corpus luteum cysts and other ovarian cysts, which generally disappear naturally after two to three months. Therefore, if the ovarian cyst is not large, within five centimeters, and there are no symptoms, it is possible to temporarily observe it and perform an ultrasound after two to three months. If the cyst has not decreased in size or continues to grow, it may be an ovarian tumor, which would require surgical treatment. This is because if an ovarian tumor is left for a long time, it may become malignant or may lead to ovarian torsion.

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Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
47sec home-news-image

Can you get pregnant with ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts are generally physiological and may affect pregnancy, as physiological ovarian cysts secrete hormones. At this time, there may be abnormal hormone secretion, or the cyst itself may be caused by abnormal follicle development, mainly presenting as follicular cysts. Therefore, if there is a follicular cyst, there is generally no normal ovulation, so pregnancy will not occur. Ovarian cysts can be observed for 2 to 3 months; if they are physiological, they will disappear naturally. If the ovarian cyst has not decreased in size or has increased after 2 to 3 months, it indicates that it is an ovarian tumor, and surgery is required.