Type of Ovarian Cysts:

Ovarian cysts are very common. There are various types of cysts which include:

• Follicle cysts: During your menstrual cycle, the egg is released from a tiny sac in the ovary called a follicle. Sometimes, the egg is not released, causing the follicle to turn into a cyst.
• Corpus luteum cysts: After the egg is released, the empty follicle shrinks into a smaller, sac called the corpus luteum. These can sometimes fill with fluid and turn into cyst.
• Dermoid cysts: These cysts develop from stem cells, which are trapped in the ovary and hence the cysts often contain substances such as hair and fat.
• Endometrioma: Endometriosis is a condition where tissue, similar to the lining of the womb, starts to grow on the ovaries. When this tissue forms a pocket, it becomes a cyst and can be painful.

Diagnosis:

Most ovarian cysts cause no symptoms and are diagnosed by chance – for instance during an ultrasound scan examination. If there are symptoms suggestive of ovarian cysts, ovarian cystectomy surgeon will take a full medical history and they may carry out a physical examination around the stomach, vagina and pelvic area to feel for cysts.

Ovarian cystectomy surgeon may arrange a blood test called CA-125 if a cyst appears suspicious or complex. An ultrasound scan will show the size, type and location of cysts that may be present in the ovaries. A CT scan or a MRI scan may be used if the cyst is large or complex to see further detail.

Treatment options:

Once the diagnosis reveals the size, type of cyst and its complexity, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you in detail.

Typically, small and simple ovarian cysts will resolve on their own without intervention. With these types of cysts, your ovarian cystectomy surgeon may recommend carefully monitoring the cysts and may advise medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen to relieve painful symptoms.

• Surgical Treatment: If the cyst is large, complex or causing severe symptoms, your doctor can remove it in a surgery called cystectomy.
• Laparoscopic cystectomy: This is a laparoscopic surgery (also known as a keyhole surgery) where a small cut is made in the belly under anaesthesia, and a specialist camera is inserted in the abdomen, so the surgeon can clearly see and remove the cyst. Due to the small size of the cut in laparoscopic surgery, there is less pain, less risk of infection and less scarring in comparison to normal surgery. This means the healing process will also be faster and you will be able to leave the hospital and resume daily activities sooner.
• Laparotomy cystectomy: For large, severe or complicated cases of ovarian cysts, a surgical operation called a laparotomy may be needed. This will involve a larger cut on your belly to remove the cyst. You may need to stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery to make sure you’re healing well.

Very rarely, the ovaries may need to be removed if there is suspicion the cyst may be cancerous. Your surgeon will explain the risks and benefits of all surgical treatment options in detail before discussing which is best for your individual situation with you.