Ovarian cysts

Shereen has developed a nagging pain on the left side of her lower abdomen for the past 3 months. She was asked to have an ultrasound scan to make sure that there was no problem in the uterus or ovaries. She was found to have a 4 cm cyst in the left ovary. She is apprehensive. She is 28 years old. Will she require surgery?

The ovaries are two small organs, one on each side of a woman's uterus. It is common for a

small cyst (a fluid-filled sac) to develop on the ovaries. In most cases, these cysts are harmless and disappear on their own. In other cases, cysts may cause problems and may need treatment.

Types of ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are quite common in women during their childbearing years. Ovarian cysts can vary in size. There are many different types of ovarian cysts.

Functional cysts:

 The most common type of ovarian cyst is called a functional cyst. It occasionally develops during the normal process of ovulation. There are two types of functional cysts.  A follicular cyst can form in any cycle when the fluid which normally forms around the egg is more than usual. A corpus luteum cyst can form after the egg is released. Both these kinds of cysts usually have no symptoms or only minor ones when they occur. They disappear within 6–8 weeks, without any treatment.

Dermoid cysts :

A dermoid cyst is present in the ovary from birth and is made up of different kinds of tissue such as skin, hair, fat, and teeth. It may be found on one or both ovaries. Dermoid cysts often are small and may not cause symptoms unless they become large. They are most often found on a routine ultrasound scan. Occasionally they may twist and cause severe pain. In that situation emergency surgery may be required.

Cystadenomas :

Cystadenomas (serous or mucinous) are cysts that develop from cells on the outer surface of the ovary. They usually are benign, but they can grow very large and cause pain. These can occasionally become cancerous.