Signs & Symptoms
For Ovarian Cysts
Ovarian cysts may cause no symptoms. When they occur, symptoms include:
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•A feeling of fullness or swelling of the abdomen.
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•Weight gain.
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•A dull, constant ache on either or both sides of the pelvis.
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•Pain during sex.
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•Delayed, irregular, or painful periods.
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•Growth of facial hair.
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•Sharp, severe abdominal pain. Fever. Vomiting. These can be caused by a cyst that bleeds, breaks, or twists.
For Ovarian Cancer
In many cases, the cancer has spread by the time it is found. When symptoms appear, they are vague problems and are often ignored. Symptoms, even in early-stage ovarian cancer are:
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•Bloating.
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•Pain in the abdomen or pelvis.
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•Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly.
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•Urgent need to pass urine or passing urine often.
These symptoms last almost daily for more than a few weeks.
Other symptoms can include:
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•Back pain. Pain with intercourse.
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•Constipation.
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•Indigestion.
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•Fatigue.
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•Menstrual irregularities.
Causes
For Ovarian Cysts
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•Some cysts are due to changes in the normal way the ovaries work.
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•Some cysts result from cell growth. Most of these are benign, but need medical treatment. Examples are:
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-Dermoid cysts. These are growths filled with many types of tissue. Examples are fatty material, hair, teeth, bits of bone, and cartilage.
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-Polycystic ovaries. These are caused by a buildup of multiple small cysts from hormone problems. Irregular periods, body hair growth, and infertility can result.
Risk Factor for Ovarian Cysts
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•Being between the ages of 20 and 35.
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•Endometriosis. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The eating disorder bulimia.
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•Obesity.
Taking hormones does not cause ovarian cysts.
Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer
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•Not having children. Having children at an older age.
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•Not ever taking birth control pills.
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•Menopause occurred after age 55.
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•Family history of ovarian, colon, breast, prostate, or lung cancer.
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•Personal history of breast, uterine, colon, or rectal cancer.
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•Being Caucasian.
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•Increasing age.
Treatment
Growths on ovaries are diagnosed with a pelvic exam and medical tests, as needed. Ways to detect growths include yearly pelvic and rectal exams and an ultrasound. No completely reliable test exists for ovarian cancer. A CA-125 blood test can detect the progression of ovarian cancer in a woman who has it. It is not a reliable screening test.
For Ovarian Cysts
Treatment depends on:
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•The size and type of cyst(s).
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•The woman’s desire to have children.
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•The woman’s health status.
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•How severe symptoms are.
Some cysts resolve without any treatment in 1 to 2 months. For others, birth control pills may be tried. Hormones in them suppress the cyst. If a cyst does not respond to this treatment, surgery may be needed to remove it. If a cyst is found early, it may be removed leaving the ovary. Sometimes, the ovary needs to be removed. The uterus and/or the fallopian tube may need to be removed, as well.
For Ovarian Cancer
The sooner the cancer is found and treated, the better the chance for recovery. Treatment includes:
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•Surgery. The ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes are removed. If the cancer has spread, the surgeon removes as much of the cancer as possible.
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•Chemotherapy.
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•Radiation therapy.
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•Clinical trials.