Ovarian Cysts and risk of removal Posted: 03-06-08 09:21am
I realize this is not a cancer question,
but I couldn't figure out where to ask
this. I’m 50 years old, perimenopausal
(continue to have regular, but very light
periods), and have a 4 cm dermoid cyst on
my left ovary. My doctor has given me the
option of watching and waiting or having
it removed laproscopically. She suggested
that if I choose to have it removed, I
have the ovary removed also due to my age.
The cyst was discovered while trying to
determine the cause of abdominal pain that
turned out to be a ruptured cyst on the
right ovary. After reading a lot on the
internet, it seems that removing it more
common than watching and waiting, but I
cannot find any discussion about removing
the ovary in a perimenopausal woman. I
understand that my right ovary would
continue to function, but wonder if there
is an underlying risk of which I am not
aware.
Ovarian cysts in reproductive age-women
are usually functional (follicular or
luteal). In menopausal women ovarian cysts
are usually neoplastic (benign or
malignant). At your age, cyst removal
usually includes removal of the whole
ovary because it usually is no longer
necessary and because the cyst may be
neoplastic. A dermoid cyst is a kind of
embryonal tumor. If a malignant cyst is
suspected, the whole ovary is usually
removed regardless of the patient's age.
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