The term "ovarian cyst" is understood to meana neoplasm of benign nature, formed directly in the tissues of the organ. It is a cavity that is filled with liquid. In some cases, the cyst on the ovary does not pose a health hazard, it passes on its own without any intervention. If it does not disappear, the doctor makes up an individual treatment regimen, which can include both conservative and operational methods.
The mechanism of development
Ovary is a female paired organ.Its main task is to perform reproductive and hormonal functions. The right or left ovary produces eggs a month, no larger than a walnut. This process is the initial stage of a new menstrual cycle.
All eggs are enclosed in follicles.The process of maturation of the latter occurs until the uterus is ready for fertilization. Follicular growth is provided by the female sex hormone estrogen. This cycle is repeated on a monthly basis. As a rule, as a result of its completion, the egg remains unfertilized. In this case, the process of getting the content out of the uterus starts, that is, menstruation begins.
In each ovary there is a small amountcysts. During the ovulation burst one or two follicles. The rest continue to grow, but over time their size decreases. After a few cycles, the cysts disappear on their own without any treatment. It also happens that the follicles accumulate in themselves liquid, increasing in size. In this case, we are talking about pathology.
Types of neoplasms
If the fluid accumulating follicletime itself decreases in size and disappears independently, it is customary to speak of a functional ovarian cyst. This process is physiological and does not pose a health hazard. To prevent the development of complications (for example, torsion), women with a constantly developing functional ovarian cyst are recommended to undergo regular ultrasound. Treatment in such cases is rarely prescribed.
In addition, there are the following types of neoplasms:
- Yellow body cyst. It appears after ovulation. Neoplasm is localized only on one ovary. Thus the yellow body can be filled with a liquid, more seldom - a blood.
- Hemorrhagic cyst. Its formation occurs against a background of hemorrhage into the tumor.
- The dermoid cyst.Can reach 15 cm in diameter. This cyst on the ovary can be filled with various types of tissue: fatty, connective, nervous, cartilaginous, bone. In most cases, it is localized on the right side. Its feature is a high risk of developing all sorts of complications - rupture, torsion, inflammation. In addition, the dermoid cyst of the right ovary can be transformed into a cancerous tumor. According to statistics, this complication is diagnosed in 3% of patients.
- Endometrioid ovarian cyst.Its formation occurs from the tissues of the internal mucous membrane of the uterus. Such a neoplasm is most often detected in women with endometriosis. The size of the cyst can vary from 2 to 20 cm. Its contents are usually represented by the remains of blood released during menstruation.
- Polycystic ovary. The organ grows in size, and on its outer side there is the formation of multiple small formations.
- Cystic adenoma. Characterized by large sizes, can reach 30 cm. It is formed from ovarian tissue.
- Paraovarial cyst. It is a neoplasm formed by the appendage, which is located above the ovary. The contents of its cavity are represented by a transparent liquid.
- Mucinous cyst. Large neoplasm, divided into several chambers in which mucus is located. A feature of the cyst is its ability to degenerate into a cancerous tumor.
Thus, not all neoplasms are harmless. To avoid the development of serious complications, it is necessary to consult a doctor at the appearance of the first alarming signs.
Causes
At present, the exact nature of the origin of the ovarian cyst is unknown. Nevertheless, it is proved that the development of the pathological process is triggered by certain provoking factors.
Indirect causes of formation of tumors are the following diseases and conditions:
- Surgical intervention in the organs of the reproductive system. According to statistics, one third of patients after an abortion are diagnosed with a cyst on the ovary.
- Inflammatory processes that occur in the genitals. They are one of the main reasons. The ovarian cyst is usually formed against the background of STDs, chronic pathologies, endometriosis, etc.
- The first appearance of menstruation at an early age (up to 11 years).
- Violations of the hormonal background. Owing to the imbalance, the ovarian cyst is often diagnosed during pregnancy.
- Absence of the ovulation process.
- Irregular menstrual cycle.
- Infertility.
- Dysfunction of the ovaries.
- Diabetes.
- Excess body weight.
In addition, a cyst on the ovary can be formed by taking certain medicines intended for the treatment of breast cancer.
Symptoms
Many patients do not have anysigns of a pathological condition. In connection with this, the ailment is often found at random in a survey assigned for another reason. Disturbing symptoms usually arise when the cyst reaches a large size.
The following are the signs of the disease:
- Painful sensations.The degree of their expression directly depends on the size of the tumor. The nature of pain in most cases is blunt. It is localized mainly in the lower part of the abdomen. If a woman has a cyst of the right ovary, the pain is felt only from this side. Its intensity increases with physical activity and sexual intercourse. The highest degree of pain is noted in the development of complications - rupture or torsion of the cyst. In this case, the woman also has: increased body temperature, nausea and vomiting. In some cases, there is no pain at all. In such cases, patients complain of a feeling of squeezing in the small pelvis and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.
- Frequent urge to urinate, pain upon exitingurines out. The onset of these symptoms is due to the squeezing of the vessels and organs of the cyst. Neoplasm (predominantly large) also can lead to constipation and the appearance of a false urge to commit a defecation act. This is explained by the pressure of the cyst on the zone in which the lower intestine is located.
- Violation of the menstrual cycle.Monthly are abundant, they are accompanied by pronounced painful sensations. The danger is that they are easily confused with uterine bleeding, which also serves as a sign indicating the presence of a cyst. It also happens that in women, on the contrary, there is amenorrhea, that is, a complete absence of menstruation.
- Hirsutism. This term refers to the excessive secretion of male sex hormones. Against the backdrop of this process, a woman becomes a rough voice, her hair begins to grow intensively on her body.
- Increased abdomen, its asymmetry. This symptom occurs if the cyst has reached a huge size. In such situations, the abdominal circumference increases.
In addition, the following signs are disturbing:
- high body temperature;
- pallor of the skin;
- dizziness;
- strong weakness;
- severe pain in the abdomen;
- the deviation of the blood pressure indicator to a greater or lesser extent;
- a thirst that is difficult to satisfy;
- a sharp decrease in body weight for no apparent reason.
If there is a marked deterioration in your state of health, you should immediately call your doctor or call an ambulance.
Diagnostics
If you have anxiety symptoms, you need to make an appointment with a gynecologist. The doctor will perform a primary diagnosis, consisting in a questioning and examination of the patient.
For an accurate diagnosis, the following studies can also be assigned:
- Ultrasound (transvaginal). With its help it is possible to detect any kind of cysts.
- CT, NMR. They allow to reveal the features of the neoplasm, which is impossible with ultrasound.
- Laparoscopy. The method is not only diagnostic. In the process of research, it is even possible to remove the cyst.
- The analysis of blood on onkomarker SAN-125. It allows to know the nature of the disease (benign or malignant).
- Pregnancy test.Ovarian cyst during fetal bearing requires a different approach to treatment. In addition, it is important to exclude or confirm the presence of an ectopic pregnancy. This is due to the fact that the development of pathology is accompanied by the same symptoms as the cyst formation.
Very rarely a doctor appoints a puncture from the areaDouglas pocket. This is the zone located on the back vaginal vault. The purpose of the study is appropriate only if there is a suspicion of bleeding or rupture of the cyst.
Conservative methods of treatment
If it is a functional neoplasm,therapy is not required. It is enough to visit the doctor periodically for the purpose of control and prevention. Treatment of the ovarian cyst is required in the event that it does not disappear on its own.
Doctors always initially try to save patients from an ailment with conservative methods. But in some cases it is impossible to cure the ovarian cyst without surgery.
Contraindications to drug therapy:
- age over 45;
- large size of the neoplasm;
- The impossibility of an exact definition of the nature of its occurrence;
- suspicion of oncology.
Conservative treatment of ovarian cysts means the following drugs:
- The hormone-containing. Typically, the doctor prescribes oral contraceptives that help normalize the menstrual cycle.
- Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. The task of taking these drugs is to eliminate a chronic infection. In addition, the negative effect on the work of the appendages is excluded.
High efficiency in the treatment of pathologyshowed physiotherapy procedures. But they are always appointed simultaneously with taking medications and only if the presence of oncology is excluded.
Operative treatment
If conservative methods are not effectivesurgical intervention is indicated. Currently, the most widely used laparoscopy for getting rid of the ovarian cyst. The operation is of a minimally invasive nature - all manipulations are performed by means of small punctures (no more than 1 cm in diameter) in the abdominal cavity. The surgeon introduces endoscopic instruments into them, and the monitor follows the process of intervention with the help of a monitor, images of which are transmitted by a miniature camera.
After removal of the ovarian cyst by laparoscopicby the patient's method, after only 1-2 days, they start daily activities. In some cases, a woman can leave the hospital within a few hours.
Despite the minimally invasive procedure, after laparoscopy, ovarian cysts must follow certain recommendations:
- reduce the intensity of physical exertion;
- pay due attention to hygiene procedures to prevent the suppuration of wounds;
- do not lift heavy objects;
- Do not use hard-to-digest food and alcohol-containing beverages for 2 weeks.
If you have severe pain, you need to see a doctor.
Complications
Judging by the medical reports, the ovarian cyst,detected in time, rarely poses a threat to health. In case of untimely treatment, the presence of a neoplasm can lead to the following negative consequences:
- Oncological diseases. Particular danger is posed by some types of cysts that easily degenerate into a malignant tumor.
- Twisting the legs of the tumor.Against this background, the process of blood circulation in the cyst is disrupted, which entails the development of necrosis in its tissues. In addition, there is peritonitis. Torsion of the legs through the intestinal loops can provoke its obstruction.
- Tear the cyst.In this case, the symptoms are similar to those of acute appendicitis. If the ovarian cyst burst, then peritonitis may also develop. In addition, the contents of the pathological neoplasm can lead to infection of the blood, which is a danger to life.
- Infertility. It develops in most cases when the disease is ignored.
In order to avoid the possibility of serious complications, it is necessary to consult a doctor with the appearance of the first alarming symptoms.
Forecast
In time, the detected malignancy is rarerepresents a threat to the health of women. In addition, in comparison with urgent surgical intervention, routine surgical treatment does not entail a strong trauma to the follicular apparatus. With a timely appeal to a specialist, the outlook is favorable. If you ignore the problem very quickly develop all sorts of complications.
Finally
Ovarian cyst is benigna neoplasm formed from organ tissues. In some cases, it disappears on its own without any intervention. If this does not happen, the doctor makes up a treatment regimen. If it is ineffective, the question of the appropriateness of performing a surgical procedure is decided.
