What to do if you have a cyst on your ovary

There are many symptoms of ovarian cysts, which generally manifest as abdominal pain in girls and even inability to breathe normally. They need to go to the hospital for treatment in time. Ovarian cysts require X-ray diagnosis. Then, treatment is given based on the type of cyst. There are various types of ovarian cysts, and different types of ovarian cysts require different attention. So, what should you do if you have cysts on your ovaries?

1. Inspection

Pregnancy test, gastroscopy, fiber colonoscopy, color Doppler ultrasound, MRI, serum tumor markers, etc., and in some special cases, abdominal puncture, laparoscopy, laparotomy, etc.

1. Laparoscopy

The general condition of the tumor can be directly seen, the entire pelvic and abdominal cavity can be observed, multiple biopsies can be taken at suspicious sites, and peritoneal fluid can be absorbed for cytological examination to confirm the diagnosis and provide postoperative monitoring. However, it is contraindicated for patients with huge or adhesive masses, and the retroperitoneal lymph nodes cannot be observed.

2. Radiological diagnosis

MRI, CT, etc. are helpful in diagnosing tumor metastasis to the liver, lungs, and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Abdominal radiographs can aid in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction.

3. Secondly

If the cyst is a malignant ovarian tumor, like other tumors, it can produce and release a variety of products such as antigens, hormones and enzymes. These substances can be detected in the patient's serum through immunological, biochemical and other methods. They are called tumor markers and indicate the presence of a certain tumor in the body.

(1) The antigen marker CA125 is a relatively sensitive tumor marker for ovarian tumors. AFP is the best tumor marker for endodermal sinus tumor. The AFP value may also be elevated in immature teratomas. The increase in AFP often precedes clinical signs, and it is of great significance in diagnosis and monitoring.

(2) The hormone marker human chorionic gonadotropin β-subunit (β-hCG) is a highly specific marker for gestational trophoblastic disease, and its serum concentration is often elevated in patients with ovarian choriocarcinoma. Estrogen levels are elevated in patients with granulosa cell tumors and theca cell tumors. 30% of patients with testicular blastoma have increased urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion.

(3) The excretion of enzyme marker/lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is increased in patients with ovarian malignant tumors.

II. Treatment

Surgical treatment: The treatment of ovarian cysts depends on factors such as the patient's age, whether it is malignant, the location, volume, size, growth rate of the cyst, whether the reproductive function is preserved, and the patient's subjective wishes.

1. Surgical treatment of benign ovarian cysts

(1) Ovarian cystectomy. This procedure is often used in young patients, especially premenopausal patients, while preserving normal ovarian tissue as much as possible.

(2) Salpingo-oophorectomy: Older patients (over 45 years old) or postmenopausal patients can undergo unilateral or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

2. Surgical treatment of malignant ovarian cysts

(1) Most patients are already in the advanced stage when they seek medical treatment, so every effort should be made to remove the primary cyst and any visible pelvic and abdominal metastases.

(2) Consider placing a catheter in the abdominal cavity to facilitate the postoperative intraperitoneal injection of chemotherapy drugs.