Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts are sacs that form inside or on the surface of the ovary and are usually filled with fluid. These cysts can be benign and malignant, and can be formed from the structure inside the uterus or directly from the egg. While it can be seen in all age groups, it can occur in different types in each age group.
What are the Types of Ovarian Cysts?
Chocolate Cyst (Endometrioma): Endometriotic cysts, one of the most common disorders during the reproductive period, are also known as chocolate cysts because the fluid inside has the consistency of melted chocolate. It is usually seen during the fertile period and surgery is not considered as the first option since patients may have a motherhood plan. First of all, the patient is followed up and surgery is performed when deemed necessary, taking into account issues such as the size of the cyst and the degree of patient complaints. If the operation is not performed very successfully, the cyst is likely to recur.
Follicle Cyst The egg grows, develops and starts to hatch. However, in some cases this does not happen and the egg continues to grow. As a result of this abnormal growth, a follicular cyst occurs. It is usually seen during adolescence and is excreted from the body with menstruation.
Functional Cysts In adolescence, which represents the age between 13-18 years, some cysts may occur because hormonal balance has not yet been achieved. These are mostly seen as functional cysts. They are not permanent and usually disappear spontaneously over time without the need for surgical operation.
Germ cell cysts: Germ cell cysts or in other words germ cell tumors, which can be easily detected by ultrasound control, are usually seen in adolescence and early reproductive age immediately after this period. In some types, surgery is sufficient for a solution, while in some cases, chemotherapy may be needed in addition to surgery.
Dermoid Cysts: These cysts, which are usually seen in the embryonal period during pregnancy, are formed when a completely different tissue becomes a cyst in the ovary. Dermoid cysts may contain tissues such as skin, hair, fat, cartilage and teeth. These cysts can very quickly cause “tarsion”, i.e. egg rotation, in the patient, so rapid intervention is required.
Corpus Luteum Cysts: The structure where the egg matures and becomes ready to be expelled from the body is called the corpus luteum. When the egg that needs to be expelled during menstruation is not expelled, fluid accumulates in it and corpus luteum cysts occur. It can cause problems such as menstrual irregularities.
Serous Kistanedom:It is one of the most common tumors in the ovary.They are more common in women of reproductive age and although they are benign cysts, 30% of them can turn malignant over time and cause cancer.They can vary in size from 5 to 15 centimeters.
Mucinous Cystadenoma:A quarter of benign tumors are mucinous cystadenomas.They are much less likely to turn malignant and cause disease than serous cystadenomas. Their size usually varies between 15 and 30 centimeters, but in some cases up to 60 centimeters have been reported.
What are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts?
Ovarian cysts show different symptoms depending on the type, age group and hereditary characteristics of the person.However, some symptoms that may be sufficient for cyst suspicion are as follows:
Inability to have a child during the fertile period despite unprotected sexual intercourse
Severe pain during menstruation
Painful sexual intercourse
Painful defecation
Difficulty urinating
Long-lasting groin pain
Frequent urge to urinate
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Vaginal bleeding
If you have any of these symptoms, do not neglect to go for a check-up.
How is an ovarian cyst diagnosed?
The first check is performed by the doctor applying manual pressure on the patient’s abdomen and groin area.After this manual physical examination, painful areas are detected and ultrasound is performed.The cyst is first detected on ultrasound. Various tests are performed to determine the type of cyst and in some cases an MRI may also be needed.In addition, tumor tests are used to determine whether the cyst is benign or malignant, what risks it carries and the treatment phase begins.
How are ovarian cysts treated?
Findings during the diagnosis process, test and imaging results and the patient’s complaints are evaluated with a holistic approach and it is determined whether the treatment will be follow-up or surgical intervention. During the follow-up period, cysts are regularly checked and closed surgical methods such as laparoscopy can be applied depending on the condition of the cyst. Similarly, if it is understood that the cyst is risky and needs to be intervened, the cyst can be removed with an open surgical operation.
Many issues such as the age of the patient, the type of cyst, and whether the patient plans to become a mother or not are the factors that determine the treatment method and process of ovarian cysts. Physicians will evaluate all these together and choose the most appropriate treatment method for you.