1. When Cysts Don't Go Away
Many women get ovarian cysts at some point in their lives. Most of the time, these harmless fluid-filled sacs that attach to the ovaries go away on their own, particularly during childbearing years. When a fluid-filled cyst remains less than two centimeters in diameter, a health professional often recommends monitoring it through regular check-ups and pelvic ultrasounds. A cyst that doesn't fade away or continues to grow leads many doctors to recommend some type of treatment, or at least a closer look. Even if a cyst isn't cancerous, continued growth could cause it to push up against other organs, causing pain.
2. Take the Pill
Doctors may prescribe birth control pills to women of childbearing age who develop frequent cysts and who aren't preparing to become pregnant in the near future. Taking oral contraceptives prevents a woman from ovulating and hopefully not forming any more ovarian cysts. Birth control pills come with an added benefit of reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.
3. Consider the Surgical Option
Just because a cyst continues to grow doesn't mean it's cancerous. Cystadenomas cysts can grow as large as 12 inches in diameter. The danger with a large simple cyst is that it might rupture or cause your ovary to twist painfully. Chances are that a large cyst will cause enough pain that you'll be pleading for its removal. The only way to determine cancer in a complex ovarian cyst is through surgical removal and testing. When a cyst refuses to go away after two or three menstrual cycles, a doctor may recommend removing it. If the cyst is small and appears benign, a doctor can remove it through a small incision near the navel in a procedure called a laparoscopy or a cystectomy.
4. When Ovary Removal is Necessary
Occasionally, a doctor is unable to remove just the cyst and must remove the ovary as well, in a surgery called an oophorectomy. If the ovary and surrounding tissue look good, the doctor sends off the cyst for testing of malignant cells. However, larger or suspicious looking cysts may require a laparotomy. If the cyst contains cancerous cells, then the surgeon typically removes the entire ovary and any other affected tissue. The removal of only one ovary rarely affects later conception. The other ovary takes over and does the work of both. In cases when a surgeon locates cancerous tissue outside the cyst, he or she may recommend a hysterectomy, particularly if the patient is post-menopausal. Ovarian cysts after menopause increase your chances for developing ovarian cancer.
