Ovarian cyst

Diagnosis

Following tests to diagnose an ovarian cyst:

  • Pelvic examination: a cyst on the ovary may be discovered by the specialist during pelvic examination.
  • Pregnancy test: A corpus luteum cyst can cause a false positive on a urine pregnancy test.
  • Pelvic ultrasound: imaging method, sound waves are used to produce images of the internal organs in the body. It can locate and determine the predominant fluid or solid nature of cysts at the ovaries.
  • Laparoscopy: Using a laparoscope, specialist will use a tiny incision to put a thin, illuminated tool into the abdomen so they can observe both ovaries and remove the ovarian cyst. Anesthesia is necessary because this is a surgical operation.
  • Tumor marker test: Women with ovarian cancer frequently have higher blood levels of a protein known as cancer antigen 125 (CA 125). This test may be prescribed by the doctor if the cyst is partially solid and have a high risk of developing ovarian cancer. In noncancerous disorders such endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease, elevated CA 125 levels can also develop.

Treatment

Treatment will be based on the age, the type of cyst, size, and symptoms. Specialist might advise:

  • Watchful waiting: Usually, functional ovarian cysts disappear on their own. If the cyst is probably functional cyst, specialist may advise waiting it out a few weeks or months following the diagnosis, patient might have a follow-up pelvic ultrasound to see if the cyst has cleared up on its own.
  • Medication: Hormonal contraceptive such as birth control pills can be effective in preventing ovarian cyst from forming, however, if a cyst already exists, taking a birth control pill will not help reducing the size.
  • Surgery: specialist may advise the patient to have the cyst removed if it is large, does not appear to be a functional cyst, continually growing, persists for two or three menstrual cycles, or it causes pain.
    • Cystectomy: It is possible to treat certain cysts without removing the ovary by performing ovarian cystectomy.
    • Oophorectomy: Specialist may recommend removing the affected ovary in some circumstances while leaving the other one unaffected by oophorectomy.
    • Total hysterectomy with oophorectomy: In case that the cyst is cancerous, total hysterectomy is needed, it is the removal of the uterus, ovaries, and the fallopian tubes especially when the cyst develop after menopausal.