Benign Ovarian Cyst or Mass

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms in the ovary. Ovarian cysts are common and, in the vast majority of cases, they are benign (noncancerous). They vary in size and may occur at different sites in the ovary; the most common type develops when an egg-producing follicle does not rupture and release the egg but instead swells with fluid and forms a follicular cyst.

Cysts often disappear on their own without treatment, but in some cases they may require surgical removal. In rare cases a cyst that twists or ruptures may cause serious complications warranting emergency surgery.

Our physicians are experts at diagnosing and treating ovarian cysts. While ovarian cysts are mostly benign and harmless, there are cases where they can be cancerous or dangerous to a woman’s future fertility.

Symptoms can include:

• In many cases, ovarian cysts produce no symptoms.
• Mild abdominal ache.
• Abdominal swelling or a feeling of fullness or pressure.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Menstrual irregularities including absence of menstrual bleeding (amenorrhea), heavy bleeding (menorrhagia), and painful periods (dysmenorrhea).
• Unusual hair growth on the face and body caused by an increased production of masculinizing hormones (hirsutism).
• Sudden, sharp abdominal pain, fever, and nausea if a cyst becomes twisted or ruptures.
• Rarely, painful, frequent urination-or urinary retention-if a cyst presses against the bladder.

If you experience any of the symptoms of ovarian cysts, call a gynecologist. If you have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and you experience sudden, sharp abdominal pain, fever, or vomiting, see a doctor immediately.

Diagnosis of ovarian cysts

A gynecological examination is necessary to diagnose an ovarian cyst. If a lump or mass in the ovary is detected, further tests are necessary to rule out the possibility of ovarian cancer.

Your doctor may perform one or more tests to diagnose a benign ovarian cyst:

• Pelvic Exam
  Oftentimes, ovarian cysts are detected during a routine pelvic exam. But because the pelvic exam cannot produce a definitive diagnosis, the next step is to perform a vaginal sonogram.
• Vaginal sonogram
  This imaging test allows a physician to get the most accurate picture of the ovary and cyst. The test is performed by inserting a small instrument into the vagina, which then bounces sound waves off your uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, forming a picture on a monitor. This image enables the doctor to determine with accuracy the size of the cyst and, just as importantly, to see inside it and detect whether it is solid or fluid-filled. While the vaginal sonogram detects the presence of a cyst, it cannot verify whether it is benign or malignant. Therefore, if the sonogram detects a cyst, the next step may be the surgical removal of the cyst to find out if it is malignant or benign.