women s health issues
Ovarian Cysts and Other Benign Ovarian Masses
Treatment
For some cysts, regular monitoring with transvaginal ultrasonography Sometimes surgery If ovarian cysts are less than about 2 inches (about 5 centimeters) in diameter, they usually disappear without treatment. Transvaginal ultrasonography is done periodically to determine whether they are disappearing. If a cyst is larger than about 2 inches (5 centimeters) and does not disappear, it may need to be removed. If cancer cannot be ruled out, the ovary is removed. If the cyst is cancerous, the cysts and the affected ovary and fallopian tube are removed. For some large cysts if they have no characteristics of cancer, monitoring with transvaginal ultrasonography may be all that is needed. Benign tumors, such as fibromas and cystadenomas, require treatment. If a tumor appears cancerous, surgery is done to evaluate the tumor and, if possible, to remove it. One of the following procedures is done: Laparoscopy Laparotomy Laparoscopyrequires one or more small incisions in the abdomen. It is done in a hospital and usually requires a general anesthetic. However, women may not have to stay overnight. Laparotomyis similar but requires a larger incision and an overnight stay in the hospital. Which procedure is used depends on how large the growth is and whether other organs are affected. If technically feasible, doctors aim to preserve the ovaries by removing only the cyst (cystectomy). Removal of the affected ovary (oophorectomy) is necessary for the following: Fibromas or other solid tumors if the tumor cannot be removed by cystectomy Cystadenomas Cystic teratomas that are larger than 4 inches Cysts that cannot be surgically separated from the ovary Most cysts that occur in postmenopausal women and that are larger than about 2 inches 