subject: Fluid-filled Cysts On Ovaries Can Be Benign [print this page] The ovaries are the part of the female reproductive system where eggs are created. As the body gets ready to release those eggs into the Fallopian tubes for fertilization, cysts on ovaries may occur. These cysts are fluid-filled sacs and normally occur during the child-bearing years of the woman's life.
There are benign cysts and cancerous cysts. Those that are benign are not damaging to the health. Those that are malignant (cancerous) require medical attention. While some cysts can be asymptomatic (without symptoms), others will be indicated by tender breasts, irregular menstrual cycles, nausea, pressure or pain in the abdomen, bladder or rectum and problems passing urine. These symptoms can also indicate many other conditions and a primary physician should diagnose you.
Physicians recommend a Pap test be performed every year. This may be the only way to detect an ovarian cyst if the woman has no symptoms. An ultrasound exam will be ordered if the doctor detects inflammation of the ovaries. The ultrasound will show the location and size of the cyst as well as whether it is solid or contains fluid. A blood test will determine a cancerous or non-cancerous condition. There is a protein named CA-125, which when present in the blood in elevated amounts indicates ovarian cancer.
In the early stages, treatment is effective. The treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. It may combine one or all three types of treatment. Early diagnosis of cancerous ovarian cysts can save a woman's life.
Not all benign cysts fall into one category. There are many types, such as cystadenomas, dermoid cysts and functional cysts. These functional cysts develop during menstruation and disappear when the eggs are released. The adenomas develop on the outside wall of the ovaries and dermoid cysts can be painful if they reach a certain size.
One kind without obvious symptoms is the corpus luteum cyst. It develops during the end of the menstrual cycle and also during the early part of pregnancy. They often disappear on their own and without being noticed by the woman who has them. Hemorrhagic cysts are filled with blood. Often they do not burst, but when they do blood leaks into the abdomen and causes a burning sensation throughout the pelvic area. Most women have at least one undetected hemorrhagic cyst at some time and never know it.
Ovarian cysts are simply a collection of fluid in the usually solid ovary. They are most often not going to cause any harm. Cysts on ovaries are normally not malignant, but, even when benign they may require some sort of medical treatment. Some benign cysts must be surgically removed due to being large enough to cause pain. Fortunately, most of these cysts are found to be non-cancerous and will not cause damage to the woman who has them.
