Where is the ovarian cyst located?

When it comes to ovarian cysts, everyone will definitely feel that they know more about them. However, people's understanding of ovarian cysts is only to know that ovarian cysts are a disease of female endocrine disorders. In fact, ovarian cysts are caused by cysts inside the follicles. Ovarian cysts may cause irregular menstruation and infertility. There are many types of ovarian cysts, and each has different treatment options.

1) Physiological cysts (in most cases, this is not a disease, does not require surgery, and will disappear on its own)

Women of childbearing age ovulate every month. Before ovulation, the ovary develops to a certain size, and due to changes in hormone levels, it ruptures and the egg comes out. The structure of the ovary also conforms to the morphological characteristics of a "cyst", with a theca membrane on the outside and follicular fluid inside. When it grows large, it can reach 3 to 4 cm in size.

This is called a "follicular cyst". After ovulation, the follicle collapses to form a corpus luteum. The shape of the corpus luteum also meets the characteristics of a "cyst", with a layer of membrane on the outside and corpus luteum tissue inside (similar to the structure of a steamed bun). The corpus luteum of menstruation can also grow up to 3cm in size. Sometimes, due to various reasons, the corpus luteum develops abnormally and may become cystic during the regression process. The inside liquefies and fills with fluid, and the outer layer of skin becomes larger and larger, forming a "water cyst"-like structure. Typical cyst manifestations can be seen on ultrasound. This is a typical "corpus luteum cyst." Corpus luteum cysts with a diameter of 10 cm have been seen clinically. This large corpus luteum cyst is often accompanied by irregular menstruation, such as delayed menstruation, prolonged bleeding time, etc. These two types of cysts will generally disappear after a follow-up ultrasound check one month later.

2) Inflammation. Sometimes women who have had pelvic inflammatory disease will develop adhesions in the pelvis. These membranous adhesions surround each other and form a sphere, which contains inflammatory fluid. Ultrasound will also tell you that this is a "cyst". Clinically, we call this an "inflammatory mass". For this type of "cyst", active anti-inflammatory treatment is usually considered first. Surgical exploration is only considered when anti-inflammatory treatment is ineffective. A reality that patients need to accept is that inflammatory masses may recur after treatment, whether with medication or surgery. But I haven't heard of cancer yet.

3) Tumorous cysts are the most classic explanation of cysts we treat clinically. It is caused by ovarian cell disease, which has the same pathogenesis as tumors. Due to the complex tissue composition of the ovary, there are many types of such cysts, most of which are benign, and a few are malignant (cancer).

Ovarian tumor masses may be cystic (contains fluid) or cystic-solid (contains fluid and solid matter), and ultrasound may suggest they are "cysts" or "cystic-solid mass". Some are solid (no fluid inside), and ultrasound suggests they are "pelvic mass" or "adnexal mass" or "space occupying mass".