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Xia Hu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
About me
Graduated from North Sichuan Medical College, member of the Sichuan Medical Association, member of the Chinese Medical Association Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. Studied at Fudan University Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital for one year, engaged in obstetrics and gynecology work for over ten years. Skilled in minimally invasive obstetric and gynecologic surgery, various surgeries such as laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, prenatal care, and postpartum recovery.
Proficient in diseases
Menstrual disorders, gynecological inflammations, vaginitis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervicitis, prenatal care and postpartum recovery; minimally invasive gynecological surgeries, laparoscopy, and hysteroscopy.
Voices
Symptoms of ovarian cyst carcinogenesis
The main symptom of malignant transformation of ovarian cysts is increased abdominal pain, which generally occurs on one side, including either the left or right side, since the ovaries are present on both sides. If the cyst is unilateral, rapid growth can cause lower abdominal distension and pain. Therefore, when such symptoms aggravate, timely examination is necessary. Initially, a gynecological examination is recommended to assess the boundaries of the ovarian cyst and to palpate its nature and texture. These are essential evaluations. If there is a potential for malignancy, sometimes nodular changes, which may be metastases, can be detected in the posterior cul-de-sac. Subsequently, an ultrasound should be performed, with vaginal ultrasound generally providing greater accuracy.
Symptoms of ovarian cyst rupture
It often manifests as severe pain that feels downward, and if it ruptures, there is obvious intraperitoneal bleeding, along with a sensation of heaviness in the anus. The pain is persistent and intense. If there is significant blood loss in the pelvis, there may also be symptoms of blood loss such as dizziness and fatigue, and other discomforts may occur. For example, there may be complications related to anemia and even symptoms of shock. Once an ovarian cyst ruptures, it requires prompt treatment. First, it is necessary to identify the specific location, as the ovaries are located on the left and right sides. After locating the affected area, timely treatment can be administered. The examination of ovarian cysts often reveals quite noticeable tenderness.
Early Symptoms Judgment of Ovarian Cysts
The early symptoms of ovarian cysts include pain in the lower abdomen on one side, which is generally mild, persistent, and tolerable discomfort. However, this pain needs to be differentiated from other conditions. Since the pelvic area contains the uterus and ovaries, sometimes it is necessary to distinguish these symptoms from gastrointestinal diseases. For example, appendicitis often needs to be differentiated from cysts on the right side, as both can cause abdominal pain. However, appendicitis also includes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and during examination, there is tenderness at McBurney's point, indicating appendicitis. On the other hand, the pain from an ovarian cyst is usually positioned slightly lower, and thus can often be differentiated through a gynecological examination.
Do ovarian cysts require the removal of the ovary?
Generally, ovarian cysts do not require the removal of the ovary; the common practice is to perform a cystectomy, which involves peeling off the cyst from the ovary. After that, the situation of bleeding is assessed. If there is no significant bleeding on the surgical surface, suturing can be done, which preserves both the morphology and function of the ovary. Ovaries are crucial for females as they produce estrogen, progesterone, and also have the function of ovulation. Therefore, removing ovaries would reduce the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body and decrease ovulation functions, which is why ovary removal is generally not recommended. Typically, the impact of the cystectomy on these ovarian functions is minimal. Thus, recovery tends to be good, with minimal impact on daily life in terms of prognosis.
Causes of ovarian cysts
There are several common causes of ovarian cysts. The first is during the ovulation process where the follicle fails to release an egg, resulting in the formation of follicular cysts. The ultrasound typically shows these as simple cysts containing follicular fluid. Another situation is the corpus luteum cyst, which occurs after ovulation when the ovary forms a wound surface and a corpus luteum. Cysts can also develop during the growth of the corpus luteum. These two types of cysts generally disappear after the next menstrual period and are considered physiological cysts that usually require no treatment. However, some cysts result from pathological changes in ovarian cells, or even from tumors. On an ultrasound, these appear differently, often as mixed composition masses, in which case surgical treatment is recommended.
How to check for ovarian cysts?
There are two methods for examining ovarian cysts. Firstly, through a gynecological examination, especially in cases of sexual activity, a bimanual examination can be conducted. Under bimanual examination, a mass in one of the adnexal areas can be palpated, where the nature of the mass such as whether its boundaries are clear can be observed, as well as checking for tenderness. This allows for the examination of ovarian cysts. Another method involves an ultrasound. Generally, if performing an abdominal ultrasound, it is necessary to hold urine to view the ovaries clearly. If performing a vaginal ultrasound, especially in cases of sexual activity, this can be chosen; thus, the ultrasound can provide a clearer view. It is closer to the uterus and ovaries, and thus under ultrasound, the masses in the ovaries can be detected. Therefore, both of these methods are viable.
ovarian cyst malignant symptoms
Ovarian cysts can exhibit certain symptoms if they become malignant. The primary symptom is pain in the lower abdomen. Generally, if the ovary undergoes a malignant transformation, the mass will grow larger and create a sensation of swelling and pain. Sometimes in the late stages of ovarian tumors, there can be pain throughout the abdomen, along with signs of cachexia, such as weight loss and decreased immunity after eating, which may suggest the possibility of cancer. In such cases, timely medical examinations are necessary. Typically, a pelvic and abdominal ultrasound can reveal the situation, along with blood tests including changes in certain common tumor markers. If the disease is malignant, the tumor markers in the blood will significantly increase.