Do Ovarian Cysts Usually Need to Be Surgically Removed?
I was told today after getting MRI results that I need to see an oncologist. I always thought that most ovarian cysts and fibroids are not cancer. I have no symptoms, no pain, no bleeding.
Do you think I’ll have to have that godd-awful test called a ‘Hysterosonography?’
the report mentioned that I should go for a transvaginal sonogram for more information.
Typically, ovarian cysts are functional (not disease or cancer related) and occur as a normal process of ovulation. During the days before ovulation, a follicle grows. But at the time of expected ovulation, the follicle fails to break open and release an egg, as it is supposed to. Instead, the fluid within the follicle remains and forms a cyst.
Functional, or physiological, ovarian cysts usually disappear within 8-12 weeks without treatment. They are relatively common, and are more common during a woman’s childbearing years (puberty to menopause). Ovarian cysts are rare after menopause.
Functional ovarian cysts are not the same as ovarian tumors (including ovarian cancer) or cysts due to hormone-related conditions such as polycystic ovarian disease. Some non-functional ovarian cysts must be treated to go away.
An ovarian cyst can cause pain if it pushes on nearby structures, ruptures or bleeds. Pain may also occur if the cyst is twisted or causes twisting (torsion) of the fallopian tube.
Symptoms of ovarian cysts can include:
* Pelvic pain – constant, dull aching
* Pain with intercourse or pelvic pain during movement
* Pain during bowel movements
* Pelvic pain shortly after beginning or ending a menstrual period
* Abnormal uterine bleeding (change from normal menstrual pattern)
* Longer than usual menstrual cycle
* Shorter than usual menstrual cycle
* Absent menstruation
* Irregular menstruation
* Abdominal bloating or swelling
Often no symptoms are noted and ovarian cysts are found only be routine examinations. Usually birth control pills may be prescribed to help establish normal cycles and decrease the development of functional ovarian cysts.
Simple ovarian cysts that are larger than 5-10 centimetres and complex ovarian cysts that persist should and will usually be surgically removed via laparoscopy (minimal invasive surgery).
I would recommend that you discuss all the details such as the type of cyst, size of cyst etc with your doctor/gyno and ask them to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
I have suffered from many bilateral ovarian cysts over the past 10 years and have had to have surgery 2 times to the cysts removed (it wasn’t anything too serious).
I hope this helps to answer your question. Good luck
you are right they are usually fibroids and harmless. Most do not need to be removed. But it never hurts to make sure
It depends on the type of cyst. Since they have referred you to an oncologist, you probably do not have a "functional" cyst … the fluid filled kind that usually go away on their own. Oncologists are cancer specialists, so they might suspect that the cyst is hard and are probably sending you there to make sure your cyst is benign. I don’t want to scare you. Doctors usually want to err on the side of caution and want a specialist to look at the cyst… perhaps take a biopsy. I personally have an ovarian cyst that is being watched. I have to have another ultrasound in a month to see if it has gotten bigger, smaller, or is unchanged. If it is bigger, they will need to do surgery. Good luck, hun. I am sure everything will be ok. Usually the surgery is laproscopic so recovery time is short.
they may have seen a something more solid and defined as a mass and that is why they are sending you to an oncologist…who is not typically a surgeon per say they are cancer specialists.
I would be concerned because if it was just to have it removed and it not specious for cancer why not just see a general surgeon? or even a gynecologist they tend to do their own surgeries.?