Ovarian cyst

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Ovarian cyst
Classification and external resources
Benign ovarian cyst. many ovarian cysts come from heredity. 8 o'clock position is a Corpus albicans, the old remnant of a corpus luteum. The Fallopian tube runs over the top of the cyst, with the fimbriae at the top left of the image.
ICD-10 N83.0-N83.2
ICD-9 620.0-620.2
DiseasesDB 9433
eMedicine med/1699  emerg/352
MeSH D010048

An ovarian cyst is any collection of fluid, surrounded by a very thin wall, within an ovary. Any ovarian follicle that is larger than about two centimeters is termed an ovarian cyst. An ovarian cyst can be as small as a pea, or larger than a cantaloupe.

Most ovarian cysts are functional in nature, and harmless (benign).[1] In the US, ovarian cysts are found in nearly all premenopausal women, and in up to 14.8% of postmenopausal women.

Ovarian cysts affect women of all ages. They occur most often, however, during a woman's childbearing years.

Some ovarian cysts cause problems, such as bleeding and pain. Surgery may be required to remove cysts larger than 5 centimeters in diameter.

Contents

[edit] Types

[edit] Functional cysts

Some, called functional cysts, or simple cysts, are part of the normal process of menstruation. They have nothing to do with disease, and can be treated. There are 3 types, Graafian, Luteal, and Hemorrhagic. These types of cysts occur during ovulation. If the egg is not released, the ovary can fill up with fluid. Usually these types of cysts will go away after a few period cycles.

[edit] Graafian follicle cyst

One type of simple cyst, which is the most common type of ovarian cyst, is the graafian follicle cyst, follicular cyst, or dentigerous cyst.

[edit] Corpus luteum cyst

Another is a corpus luteum cyst (which may rupture about the time of menstruation, and take up to three months to disappear entirely).

[edit] Hemorrhagic cyst

A third type of functional cyst, which is common, is a Hemorrhagic cyst, which is also called a blood cyst, hematocele, and hematocyst.[2] It occurs when a very small blood vessel in the wall of the cyst breaks, and the blood enters the cyst. Abdominal pain on one side of the body, often the right side, may be present. The bleeding may occur quickly, and rapidly stretch the covering of the ovary, causing pain. As the blood collects within the ovary, clots form which can be seen on a sonogram.[3][4] Occasionally hemorrhagic cysts can rupture, with blood entering the abdominal cavity. No blood is seen out of the vagina. If a cyst ruptures, it is usually very painful. Hemorrhagic cysts that rupture are less common. Most hemorrhagic cysts are self-limiting; some need surgical intervention. Even if a hemorrhagic cyst ruptures, in many cases it resolves without surgery. Patients who don't require surgery will experience pain for 4 - 10 days after, and may require several days rest. Studies have found that women on tetracycline antibiotics recover 25% earlier than the majority of patients, a surprising correlation found in 2004. Sometimes surgery is necessary,[5][6] such as a laparoscopy ("belly-button surgery" that uses small tools inserted through one or more tiny slits in the abdomen).[7]

[edit] Dermoid cyst

[edit] Endometrioid cyst

An endometrioma, endometrioid cyst, endometrial cyst, or chocolate cyst is caused by endometriosis, and formed when a tiny patch of endometrial tissue (the mucous membrane that makes up the inner layer of the uterine wall) bleeds, sloughs off, becomes transplanted, and grows and enlarges inside the ovaries.

[edit] Pathological cysts

The incidence of ovarian carcinoma (malignant cancer) is approximately 15 cases per 100,000 women per year.[8]

Other cysts are pathological, such as those found in polycystic ovary syndrome, or those associated with tumors.

A polycystic-appearing ovary is diagnosed based on its enlarged size — usually twice normal —with small cysts present around the outside of the ovary. It can be found in "normal" women, and in women with endocrine disorders. An ultrasound is used to view the ovary in diagnosing the condition. Polycystic-appearing ovary is different from the polycystic ovarian syndrome, which includes other symptoms in addition to the presence of ovarian cysts, and involves metabolic and cardiovascular risks linked to insulin resistance. These risks include increased glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is associated with infertility, abnormal bleeding, increased incidences of pregnancy loss, and pregnancy-related complications. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is extremely common, is thought to occur in 4-7% of women of reproductive age, and is associated with an increased risk for endometrial cancer. More tests than an ultrasound alone are required to diagnose polycystic ovarian syndrome.

[edit] Symptoms

Some or all of the following symptoms may be present, though it is possible not to experience any symptoms:

  • Dull aching, or severe, sudden, and sharp pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen (one or both sides), pelvis, vagina, lower back, or thighs; pain may be constant or intermittent -- this is the most common symptom
  • Fullness, heaviness, pressure, swelling, or bloating in the abdomen
  • Breast tenderness
  • Pain during or shortly after beginning or end of menstrual period.
  • Irregular periods, or abnormal uterine bleeding or spotting
  • Change in frequency or ease of urination (such as inability to fully empty the bladder), or difficulty with bowel movements due to pressure on adjacent pelvic anatomy
  • Weight gain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Infertility
  • Increased level of hair growth
  • Increased facial hair or body hair
  • Headaches in some cases
  • Strange ribs pains, which feel muscular
  • Bloating
  • Occasionally, strange nodules that feel like bruises under the layer of skin
  • Feeling of lumps on the lower abdomen

[9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

[edit] Treatment

About 95% of ovarian cysts are benign, meaning they are not cancerous.[citation needed]

Treatment for cysts depends on the size of the cyst and symptoms. For small, asymptomatic cysts, the wait and see approach with regular check-ups will most likely be recommended.

Pain caused by ovarian cysts may be treated with:

  • a warm bath, or heating pad, or hot water bottle applied to the lower abdomen near the ovaries can relax tense muscles and relieve cramping, lessen discomfort, and stimulate circulation and healing in the ovaries.[15] Bags of ice covered with towels can be used alternately as cold treatments to increase local circulation.[16]
  • urinating as soon as the urge presents itself.[17]
  • avoiding constipation, which does not cause ovarian cysts but may further increase pelvic discomfort.[17]
  • combined methods of hormonal contraception such as the combined oral contraceptive pill -- the hormones in the pills may regulate the menstrual cycle, prevent the formation of follicles that can turn into cysts, and possibly shrink an existing cyst. (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1999c; Mayo Clinic, 2002e)[14]

Also, limiting strenuous activity may reduce the risk of cyst rupture or torsion.

Cysts that persist beyond two or three menstrual cycles, or occur in post-menopausal women, may indicate more serious disease and should be investigated through ultrasonography and laparoscopy, especially in cases where family members have had ovarian cancer. Such cysts may require surgical biopsy. Additionally, a blood test may be taken before surgery to check for elevated CA-125, a tumor marker, which is often found in increased levels in ovarian cancer, although it can also be elevated by other conditions resulting in a large number of false positives.[19]

For more serious cases where cysts are large and persisting, doctors may suggest surgery. Some surgeries can be performed to successfully remove the cyst(s) without hurting the ovaries, while others may require removal of one or both ovaries.[20]

[21]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Ovarian Cysts Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment". eMedicineHealth.com. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ovarian_cysts/article_em.htm. 
  2. ^ http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:T1mqp0ojqocJ:medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/hemorrhagic%2Bcyst+Hemorrhagic+cyst&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=11&gl=us
  3. ^ http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:QiUSJFPY5GwJ:www.parkermd.com/ovarian-cysts.htm+Hemorrhagic+cyst&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us
  4. ^ Swire MN, Castro-Aragon I, Levine D (2004). "Various sonographic appearances of the hemorrhagic corpus luteum cyst". Ultrasound Q 20 (2): 45–58. doi:10.1097/00013644-200406000-00003. PMID 15480190. http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0894-8771&volume=20&issue=2&spage=45. 
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ Ovarian Cysts at eMedicine
  7. ^ http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:KLaiiA7P8ugJ:health.ivillage.com/gyno/cysts/0,,4ltl,00.html+Hemorrhagic+cyst&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us
  8. ^ Ovarian Cysts at eMedicine
  9. ^ "Ovarian cysts: Symptoms". MayoClinic.com. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovarian-cysts/DS00129/DSECTION=2. 
  10. ^ [2]
  11. ^ "Ovarian Cysts Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment". eMedicineHealth.com. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ovarian_cysts/page3_em.htm. 
  12. ^ "Ovarian Cysts - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention". HealthScout. http://www.healthscout.com/ency/1/725/main.html#SymptomsofOvarianCysts. 
  13. ^ "Ovarian Cysts". http://www.medicineonline.com/topics/O/2/Ovarian-Cysts.html. 
  14. ^ a b "Ovarian Cysts Treatment & Monitoring". Medicine Online. http://www.medicineonline.com/topics/O/2/Ovarian-Cysts/info/Treatment-&-Monitoring.html. 
  15. ^ [3]
  16. ^ a b [4]
  17. ^ a b c "Functional Ovarian Cysts-Home Treatment". WebMD. http://women.webmd.com/tc/Functional-Ovarian-Cysts-Home-Treatment. 
  18. ^ "Menstrual pain: Treatment Options". UMM Medical Center: Medical Reference: Complementary Medicine. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/menstrual-pain-000052.htm#Treatment+Options. 
  19. ^ MedlinePlus Encyclopedia CA-125
  20. ^ "HealthHints: Gynecologic Health (January/February, 2003)". Texas AgriLife Extension Service: HealthHints. http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/health_education_rural_outreach/Health_Hints/2003/jan-feb/gynecologic_health.php. 
  21. ^ http://ovariancystinfo.weebly.com Cyst on Ovary

[edit] External links

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