Complications
Complications that can occur in the presence of an ovarian cyst are the bursting of the fluid-filled cavity (rupture) and the stem rotation of the ovary and fallopian tube (torquing). Rupture of the ovarian cyst occurs in approximately three percent of patients. Rupture usually occurs naturally, but it can also be caused by vaginal examination by a gynecologist.
Apart from severe pain in the lower abdomen, the rupture of an ovarian cyst is harmless in the majority of cases. In rare cases, blood vessels are also damaged, which can lead to bleeding into the abdominal cavity. In such cases, surgical treatment is unavoidable.
Even a stem rotation, which often occurs after abrupt movements such as dancing, must be treated surgically as quickly as possible. Rapid action is necessary because the rotation of the stem prevents the blood from the affected ovary from draining away adequately and the supply of blood is also restricted. Without timely intervention, permanent damage would remain in the ovary.
The possible complications of an ovarian cyst include the bursting and simultaneous injury of a blood vessel. In this case, internal bleeding can occur, which makes immediate treatment necessary. In rare cases, the cyst bursts during a palpation.
In most cases, however, it is an accidental event with no trigger. Bursting is indicated by sudden, severe pain. If bleeding into the abdominal cavity is detected, surgery must be performed to stop it.Increased and irregular menstrual bleeding are possible symptoms of an existing cyst on the ovary. Bleeding may also occur during and after surgery for an ovarian cyst. After such an operation, lifting heavy loads and heavy physical activity should be avoided.
Malignant cyst cancer
Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women. With increasing age, there is an increased risk of malignant tumours occurring. This is particularly true in the post-menopausal period, when the ovaries largely cease to produce hormones.
Newly occurring ovarian cysts after the menopause are usually suspicious and require surgical treatment. The level of the tumor marker CA-125 correlates with the presence of ovarian cancer after menopause. If the suspicion is well-founded, a bilateral ovarectomy is often performed.
This minimizes the risk of further progression and spread to other organs. In women under 30 years of age, the risk of cancer is relatively low, apart from a high genetic predisposition. Ovarian cysts usually disappear on their own after some time.
