Ovarian Cysts - Diagnosis & Treatment

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How are ovarian cysts diagnosed?

An ovarian cyst may be detected during a routine pelvic examination.

Your doctor may notice swelling on one of your ovaries and order an ultrasound test to confirm the presence of a cyst to determine its size, location, shape and composition.

Some imaging tools used to diagnose ovarian cysts are:

CT scan
MRI scan
Ultrasound device

How are ovarian cysts treated?

Some ovarian cyst treatments or surgeries your doctor may recommend include:

Laparoscopy – If the cyst is small, and results from an imaging test ruled out cancer, your doctor may perform an ovarian cyst surgery called laparoscopy to remove the cyst. This involves a tiny incision near the navel and the insertion of a small instrument into the abdomen to remove the cyst.
Laparotomy – If the cyst is large, your doctor can surgically remove the cyst through a large incision in the abdomen. There will be an immediate biopsy, and if the doctor determines that the cyst is cancerous, a hysterectomy may be performed to remove the ovaries and uterus.
Ovarian cystectomy – This type of ovarian cyst removal preserves the ovary, and is recommended for women who want to preserve their fertility.

Know Your Growths: Fibroids, Polyps and Cysts (Download PDF)