Patient's question:
Comrade Doctor, my wife is currently 30 years old and has not given birth. Recently, she had a physical examination at the hospital, and the ultrasound revealed a 3.53.03.2 cm sized septated cystic mass in the right adnexa, with clear fluid. I also found online that there are many types of ovarian cysts.Please ask: What type of ovarian cyst does my wife's condition (right adnexa septated cystic mass with clear fluid) belong to, and is it serious?
Please provide a detailed explanation. Thank you!
Doctor's answer:
1. Functional Cysts: This is the most common type of ovarian cyst. It occurs in women of reproductive age during the ovulatory cycle, where an abnormal amount of fluid accumulates within the follicle or corpus luteum, forming a follicular cyst or corpus luteum cyst. These functional cysts can sometimes be very large, but they usually disappear on their own within three months, regardless of medication.2. Hemorrhagic Cysts: Sometimes, follicular and corpus luteum cysts grow too rapidly, causing the ovarian tissue to tear and bleed. This blood accumulates in the ovary because there is no outlet, forming a hemorrhagic cyst. If the discomfort is significant, medication can be taken to alleviate symptoms.
3. Serous Epithelial Cysts and Mucinous Epithelial Cysts: After three months of observation, if a cyst still exists, it may be an epithelial ovarian cyst rather than a functional cyst. This is because secretory serous cells and mucinous cells, which are trapped in the ovary after ovulation, continue to secrete fluid, forming a cyst. This type of cyst does not disappear on its own and requires surgical removal.
4. Chocolate Cysts (Endometriomas): This refers to endometriosis that grows in the ovaries, forming a large amount of viscous, dark brown, chocolate-like fluid within the ovaries. Because endometriomas can grow larger over time and gradually erode normal tissue, causing irreversible damage to ovarian tissue, surgical treatment may be necessary after assessing its severity.
5. Teratomas: This is a very special type of ovarian cyst, which may develop due to problems in cell differentiation during embryonic development and may take a long time to manifest. Generally, the rate of malignancy is less than one in a thousand.
6. Ovarian Cancer: The risk of developing ovarian cancer is relatively low, but because it is located in the pelvic cavity, it is one of the earliest discovered types of ovarian cysts.
7. Endometrioid Tumors: The surface of these tumors is smooth, often unilocular, with the inner wall composed of a single layer of tall columnar epithelium highly resembling endometrium. The surrounding connective tissue lacks endometrial stroma, and there is no bleeding either inside or outside the cyst.