Ovarian Cyst

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the ovary. Many cysts are completely normal. These are called functional cysts. They occur as a result of ovulation (the release of an egg). Functional cysts normally shrink over time, usually in about 1 to 3 months. If you are menopausal and are not having periods, you shouldn't form functional cysts. If you do have a cyst, your doctor will probably want you to have a sonogram, so he or she can look at the cyst.

Diagnosis

Sonography - This test helps to make a diagnosis of the presence of an ovarian cyst, determine the type of cyst and gives prediction whether the cyst is cancerous or non cancerous.

This test uses ultrasound waves. These waves on the basis of the reflection from the human tissues throw up an image known as a sonogram. The sonogram helps a doctor to get a picture from within the body, without invading the human body.

Blood Test - The might recommend for testing the CA-125 level. This is a blood test that is often done in women with ovarian cancer. Sometimes this test is done in women with an ovarian cyst to see if their cyst could be cancerous. A normal CA-125 level is less than 35. However, this level can sometimes be high in women who do not have cancer, particularly if they are in their childbearing years.

Treatment

The answer depends on several things - such as your age, whether you are having periods, the size of the cyst, its appearance, and your symptoms. If you're having periods and the cyst is simple or functional, you probably won't need to have surgery. If the cyst doesn't go away after several menstrual periods, if it gets larger, or it doesn't look like a functional cyst on the sonogram, your doctor may want you to have an operation. There are many different types of ovarian cysts in women of childbearing age that do require surgery. Fortunately, cysts in women of this age are almost always benign (not cancer).

Surgery

The type of surgery you need depends on several things such as the size of the cyst, how the cyst looks on the sonogram, and if your doctor thinks it might be cancer. If the cyst is small (about the size of a plum) and if it looks benign on the sonogram, your doctor may decide to do a laparoscopy. This type of surgery is done with a lighted instrument like a slender telescope. This is put into your abdomen through a small cut (incision) just above or just below your navel. With the laparoscope, your doctor can see your organs. Often the cyst can be removed with only small incisions in the pubic hair line. If the cyst looks too big to remove with the laparoscope or if it looks suspicious in any way, your doctor will probably do a laparotomy.

A laparotomy uses a bigger incision to remove the cyst or possibly the entire ovary. The cyst can be tested while you are under anesthesia (puts you into a sleeplike state) to find out if it is cancer. This helps to determine the severity of the disease and the spread of cancer to the surrounding or far away tissues within the abdomen. This assesment also helps the doctor in planning the treatment after surgey and whether a chemotherapy (medicines that act against cancerous tissue and prevents the recurrence ot the disease) or radiation. If it is cancer, your doctor may remove both ovaries, the uterus, a fatty apron called the omentum and some lymph nodes. It's very important that you talk to your doctor about all of this before the surgery. Your doctor will also talk to you about the risks with each kind of surgery, how long you are likely to be in the hospital and how long it will be before you can go back to your normal activities.