The most reliable complex ovarian cyst treatment is removal of the cyst by laparoscopy surgery technique. It has minimal complications and a shorter recovery period.
An ovarian cyst is a pocket or sac-like structure, formed within the ovary or in the ovarian walls. It is filled with fluid and resembles a follicle, except that its size is larger, about 2 cm or more. Women of all age groups can have this condition, but it is more common in the childbearing years. In majority of the cases, the cysts are harmless and benign, which go away after a certain period.
In the condition in question, however, the size is much larger (more than 5 cm) and does not disappear on its own, even after many menstrual cycles. Therefore, complex ovarian cyst treatment is done in accordance to severity of the medical problem.
Symptoms
Nearly all such cases remain asymptomatic, contributing to the late diagnosis and delayed treatment. Cysts categorized under complex type are of three kinds. They are cystadenomas (from ovarian tissue), dermoid (from the egg-forming cells), and endometrioma (from uterine cells). Less than 5 percent of these are cancerous. In other words, this type of cancer occurs very rarely. The probable symptoms are:
- Heaviness and fullness in the abdomen
- Pain in the pelvic area
- Referred pain in buttocks and thighs
- Frequent headache and bloating
- Nausea, dizziness and vomiting
- Unbearable muscular pain in the ribs
- Painful menstruation
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Tenderness of breast
- Difficulty in passing urine
- Pain during urination
- Weight gain without apparent reason
- Uterine bleeding
Treatment
With a malignant condition, the cyst keeps on increasing its size and leads to severe medical complications. Its size can be as large as an apple or orange. Surrounded by a thin layer, it may be filled with a mixture of both liquid and solid particles. The treatment starts with correct diagnosis. It can be identified with the help of ultrasound imaging or Computed Tomography (CT) scan. To support diagnosis, the doctor may consider pelvic examination manually along with blood test and pregnancy test.
If diagnosed in the early stages, effective remedies can be done with the help of therapeutic medications and holistic methods. Hence, pelvic area discomfort and pain should not be neglected at any cost. Painful symptoms are indicative of its rupture, and require immediate medical attention. The fluid or substance from this sac is leaked to the abdominal area, which increases risk for infection. The treatment depend upon the severity of the condition and overall health of the woman.
Once in the hospital, the patient should be examined by a trusted physician. The first step is to stabilize the patient and manage the painful signs. Diagnostic tests are conducted to check the extent of damage caused by fluid leakage. Generally, antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs are administered to the patient, so as to reduce risk for internal organ infection. Along with this, pain relieving medications are prescribed to alleviate pain.
If necessary, the concerned doctor will recommend surgery. Instead of conventional alternatives, a minimally invasive technique called laparoscopy surgery is recommended for treating this condition. In this procedure, small incisions are made in your lower abdomen and gas is blown into the pelvis to lift the wall of your abdomen away from the organs inside.
A laparoscope is passed into your abdomen for the surgeon can see your internal organs. Using tiny surgical tools, the surgeon will remove the cyst through the small cut. After the cyst has been removed, the cuts will be closed using stitches. Surgery is essential for treating the hemorrhagic type, in which blood is present in the cyst.
Another surgery type is the laparotomy. This is done if the condition is presumed to be cancerous. In this case, a large incision will be made on your skin for better access to the internal parts. The entire ovary will be removed and sent for a test to find out if the condition is cancerous. Stitches are used to close the incision. After the procedure, you will have a catheter (a tube in your bladder to drain urine) and a drip.
For the laparoscopy, most women are allowed to go home in a day or two. You may need to stay for a few days in the hospital in case of a laparotomy.
Sometimes, doctors may recommend a surgery even if it is a minor problem. This is due to the fact the type of tumor cannot be identified easily. Removing it reduces the possibility of cancer.
After the treatment is done by surgery, a patient is expected to follow postoperative care instructions, recommended by the concerned surgeon. During the recovery period, the doctor may suggests mild movement activities to promote blood circulation and quick healing. Periodical checkups and ultrasonography should also be done to minimize further complication and also, to ensure complete healing.
Disclaimer: This HerHaleness article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.