Serous Ovarian Cyst - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Of Serous Ovarian Cyst

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Causes, symptoms and treatment of serous ovarian cyst

Content:

• Symptoms of a serous ovarian cyst
• Causes of the serous ovarian cyst
• Methods for treating serous cysts
• Removal methods

A serous ovarian cyst is a pathological cavity, a formation with clear contours and inelastic walls. Inside such a formation is a serous fluid, which is why it got its name. Such a cyst is a benign formation and is not dangerous to the life and health of a woman if it is identified and treated in time. Serous ovarian cyst is also called cystoadenoma.

The formation bubble is located inside the ovary, it can have different sizes. The volume of the cyst depends on its histological (tissue) structure, the number of chambers and internal contents. Blisters can occur on one or both sides, and grow incoherently or in the side of the abdominal cavity. In the latter case, the serous cyst will have a leg (ligament) on which it is suspended and connected to the fallopian tube and ovary.

Symptoms of a serous ovarian cyst

At first, cystoadenoma does not manifest itself with any signs due to its small size, it proceeds benignly. This pathology is most often detected during a gynecological or ultrasound examination. Increasing in size, a serous cyst begins to provoke the following signs and symptoms:

• Aching, dull and cramping pains in the lumbar region, under the pubis and in the groin;
• Feeling of pressure on the bladder and other adjacent pelvic organs;
• Violation of the menstrual cycle: menstruation becomes painful, abundant, or, conversely, too scarce;
• Fever (indicates the presence of inflammation in the body);
• Nausea and general malaise;
• Intestinal discomfort, constipation;
• Fatigue, loss of performance, lethargy, weakness;
• Irritability and nervousness;
• With a large cystoadenoma, a unilateral enlargement of the abdomen (asymmetric shape) can be observed.

If a woman has an enlarged belly due to the growth of a serous cyst and its filling with fluid, this is an alarming signal. Acute pain may indicate torsion of the leg of the cystoadenoma. Because of this, its blood supply is disrupted, the process of inflammation of nearby tissues and the ovary begins. In case of rupture of the membranes of the cyst, an outpouring of its contents into the abdominal cavity occurs, which threatens with sepsis and peritonitis.

In very rare cases, a serous cyst can degenerate into a malignant tumor of the ovary, with all the ensuing consequences.

Causes of the serous ovarian cyst

Cystoadenoma can appear due to many reasons and factors. Among them:

• Diseases of the endocrine system, hormonal imbalance in the body;
• Sexually transmitted diseases and infections;
• Non-specific diseases of the inflammatory appendages - salpingo-oophoritis, adnexitis, etc.;
• Infectious inflammation of the internal and external genital organs;
• Promiscuous sex, frequent change of partners;
• Stress and sexual abstinence;
• Inflammatory processes that developed after an abortion, non-professional gynecological examination, childbirth or surgery on the pelvic organs;
• A disdainful attitude towards the treatment of other diseases of the genital area;
• Exhausting diets and excessive physical activity.

Methods for treating serous cysts

Before proceeding with the treatment of serous ovarian cysts, it is necessary to carefully examine the woman's body. Diagnostic methods are as follows:

1. Gynecological examination. The doctor performs a bimanual examination, assessing the size and mobility of the formation, its consistency. The connection of the cyst with neighboring organs is also determined.
2. Blood test. To determine the potential malignancy of a cyst, an analysis is performed to identify tumor markers (CA-125, etc.).
3. Ultrasound. To accurately determine the size, ECHO density, content, intensity of blood circulation in the capsule, the presence of growths on the surface of the cyst, ultrasound is performed. The method used is transvaginal, not through the abdomen (abdominal).
4. CT or MRI. The doctor may prescribe a computer or magnetic resonance imaging for the purpose of a more thorough examination of the cystoadenoma.

Traditional methods of treating serous ovarian cysts can be both conservative and operative (surgical). The choice of therapeutic tactics depends on several factors:

• Stage of development of pathology;
• The size of the cystoadenoma;
• The age of the patient;
• The presence of concomitant pathologies, etc.

If the size of the serous cyst is not large, and the stage of the disease is the initial one, you can use drug treatment with tumor-absorbing drugs, as well as with the use of anti-inflammatory, hormonal drugs, vitamin complexes. In parallel with this, mud therapy, acupuncture, physiotherapy can be prescribed.

Hormone therapy is often prescribed for pregnant women to avoid torsion of the cyst pedicle and spontaneous abortion. This applies to cystoadenomas, the size of which is not more than 3 cm in diameter. If the volume of education is more than 3 cm, there is a high probability of miscarriage, therefore, surgical removal of the cyst may be necessary.

Methods for removing a benign serous cyst:

1. Organ-preserving cystectomy. Careful removal of the ovarian capsule is performed while maintaining healthy organ tissue. A well-performed operation guarantees quick healing, after which the organ can function normally.
2. Wedge-shaped resection. During this operation, a wedge (triangle) of damaged tissues is excised. This procedure allows you to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible.
3. Ovariectomy. During the operation, the cyst is removed along with the affected ovary.
4. Adnexectomy. Complete removal of the uterine and ovarian appendages.

Nowadays, the most commonly used laparoscopic method of removing serous and other types of cysts. This is a low-traumatic method that excludes the subsequent formation of adhesions and assumes a quick recovery of the female body.

The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist

Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.