An ovarian cyst is a neoplasm that occurs in 8-18% of women of any age. In most cases, it does not bring discomfort and passes on its own. In 13-21% of cases, the cyst becomes malignant. But even a benign ovarian cyst, if it is large, can cause unpleasant symptoms and require treatment. You can find out how an ovarian cyst is treated in foreign clinics from our article.
What is an ovarian cyst?
An ovarian cyst is a liquid-filled sac that is formed inside or on the surface of an ovary. Most cysts appear during the formation of an egg. They are called functional cysts. Usually, this subtype of neoplasm is harmless and passes in 2-3 menstrual cycles. The other type of cysts is organic. They are larger, unrelated to the menstrual cycle, and more often lead to complications.
If after 2-3 months the cyst has not disappeared and has not decreased in size, the doctor will discuss the possibility of surgical intervention. Without treatment, there is a risk of cyst rupture or it blocking blood access to the ovaries.
The main method of diagnosing an ovarian cyst is an ultrasound scan. In addition, the doctor can prescribe a blood test if the tumour might be malignant. After menopause, the risk of the cyst becoming cancerous increases.
In most cases, an ovarian cyst does not affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. However, a cyst during endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome can lead to infertility.
Symptoms of an ovarian cyst
Small cysts up to 5 cm in diameter usually do not have any symptoms. Larger formations cause:
Acute or blunt pelvic pain;
Irregular periods;
Pain during sex;
Stomach bloating;
Frequent urination;
Decreased appetite.
If the cyst ruptures, you need to see a doctor immediately. The symptoms are:
Sharp stomach pain;
High temperature;
Nausea;
Dizziness;
Cold skin;
Rapid breathing.
Ovarian cyst treatment
If the ovarian cyst is small, simple and filled with fluid, the doctor usually suggests observing it for two or three months. The patient will need to repeat the ultrasound every month. If the cyst is not gone by then, the patient will need surgery.
The main method of ovarian cyst treatment is laparoscopic surgery. However, it is only necessary for 5-10% of women. If the cyst is benign, there is no need to remove the ovary itself. The operation does not affect the woman’s health or her fertility in any way.
Laparoscopic surgery of an ovarian cyst
In foreign clinics, extraction of the ovarian cyst is done with laparoscopy. The procedure is performed under anaesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision under the navel. A special instrument, a laparoscope, is inserted through it. It looks like a thin metal tube with a camera at the end. Carbon dioxide is pumped inside to give the doctor a better view of the operation site. After the surgeon discovers the cyst, another 1-2 small incisions are made. Through them, instruments are injected, with which the doctor cuts out the cyst.
Laparoscopic removal of ovarian cysts lasts 1-2 hours. After the procedure is completed, the assistants stitch the patient.
Recovery from laparoscopic surgery is faster than normal. In addition, the scars that remain after the intervention are smaller. Immediately after the operation, the patient is given an IV with drugs and painkillers. You can leave the clinic the same or the next day. Full rehabilitation takes 1-2 weeks.
Removal of an ovarian cyst during pregnancy
Every pregnant woman has an ovarian “cyst” in her first trimester. It produces progesterone, without which the pregnancy will end in a miscarriage. Normally, the cyst disappears after 11-12 weeks, but in 1 out of 1,000 cases it remains.
Around ⅓ of the ovarian tumours that occur during pregnancy are benign ovarian cysts. In most cases, they are harmless and do not require surgery.
The decision of whether to operate or not is made on a case-by-case basis. It is important for the doctor to consider all the risks for both the mother and the child. The doctor takes into account such factors as the size and shape of the cyst, the gestational age and the presence of painful symptoms. If the cyst is larger than 12 cm in diameter, causes pain and remains after 15 weeks of pregnancy, it gets removed.
Treatment prognosis for ovarian cysts
In general, the prognosis for patients with ovarian cysts is positive. In 96% of cases, the cyst disappears by itself. The success rate of laparoscopic surgery is more than 98%. In women after menopause, malignant cysts are formed only in 0.3% of cases.
What foreign hospitals treat ovarian cysts?
Treatment success of ovarian cysts in foreign clinics is very high. This procedure can be performed in any gynaecological department of wide profile clinics. The MediGlobus team can recommend such medical institutions:
Liv Hospital in Turkey;
Memorial Medical Center in Turkey;
University Hosptial Koç in Turkey;
Quironsalud Network in Spain;
Navarra University Hospital in Spain;
University Clinic Motol in the Czech Republic;
University Clinic of Krakow in Poland;
Ichilov Hospital in Israel;
Sheba Hospital in Israel;
Soon Chun Hyang hospital in South Korea.
Resume
An ovarian cyst often occurs in women of all ages. In most cases, it passes by itself in 2-3 months.
The cyst should be surgically removed if it does not dissapear after 2-3 months, it is large and causes painful symptoms.
The main method of ovarian cyst treatment is laparoscopic surgery. More than 98% of such operations are successful, and patients rehabilitate faster than after open surgery.
Treatment of ovarian cysts is available in clinics in Turkey, Spain, the Czech Republic, Poland, Israel and South Korea.
If you have any more questions about the treatment of ovarian cysts or you want to make an appointment for a consultation with a doctor, leave your request on our website. Our coordinators will contact you, answer all your questions and help you find a clinic for treatment.