Ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled masses. Women who ovulate develop a small cyst on their ovary just before the egg is released. Ovarian cysts may be present and not cause any symptoms or they may cause pelvic pain, pelvic pressure, and nausea.

A functional ovarian cyst occurs when an egg is not released and the fluid around the egg remains. At times, these cysts may continue to enlarge and cause the symptoms described above. Most of the time, they resolve on their own and do not require treatment.

A hemorrhagic ovarian cyst is filled with blood during ovulation. Hemorrhagic cysts will often resolve without treatment. If this type of cyst leaks, it may cause significant pain because blood is irritating to the inside of the abdomen and pelvis.

Some cysts may be complex and contain fluid in addition to solid elements. Some may contain fluid but have walls within the cyst. Others may be completely solid. Some complex cysts may be cancer. Further evaluation is always required with these types of cysts.

Most ovarian cysts that require surgery can be evaluated and treated using laparoscopy. Occasionally a large abdominal incision is required (as in the case of an ovarian cancer). A gynecologic surgeon trained in advanced laparoscopy can even remove very large ovarian cysts (orange or grapefruit size) or noncancerous tumors laparoscopically.