Archive for March, 2011


The incidence of ovarian cancer continues to rise while the cause of it remains unknown. Genetics will be the no. 1 explanation for its occurrence then the rest will be accounted to either diet or lifestyle. There are several researches that connect existence of ovarian cyst to ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs found in the ovary. Most of them are benign. However, there are few cases where the cysts are cancerous in nature. The ovarian cysts which remain in the wall are subject to many factors making them behave in an unpredictable manner. These cysts grow in size and possibly rupture after.  The rupture will cause severe pain in the lower abdomen of the woman. Bleeding is also noted and infection is present due to the spread of the contents after the rupture.
Once the ovarian cyst is diagnosed as cancerous, the staging of the cancer is important to know which cancer treatment is best taken. The three most recommended ovarian cancer treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Since surgery involves incision, bleeding and infection is the priority of care for these patients. A more precise monitoring is needed considering that most cancer patients have coagulation problems. They are more prone to bleeding than non-cancer patients. They are also immunocompromised, therefore, the presence of infection will pose a great problem after surgery. Surgery is only advised if the cancer cells are still confined in the ovary or near adjacent area.

Chemotherapy is infusion of highly toxic drugs in the systemic circulation of the woman.  This is recommended to patients with ovarian cancer that has already spread in distal areas in the attempt of killing the cancer cells. However, due to the drug toxicity, even normal cells are also affected. This is the reason why hair fall is present; bursting of lips and even sterility is possible since the cells that comprise them are the most sensitive.

Radiation therapy involves implanting radioactive rods or seeds to the cancerous ovary. The radiation will cease the life of the cancer cells. However, the patient becomes radioactive as well that she will not be allowed to mingle with other people on the course of treatment. Her being radioactive will be harmful for others around her. Calculated steps are made by the medical team in taking care of her so as not to put themselves in harm as well.

However, these suggested treatments do not assure the healing of the ovarian cancer. Some cancer treatments combine 2 methods to better stop the cancer. The complexities of the ovarian cancer cannot be defined therefore the solutions to the disease will remain varied.

Ovarian cyst is not as simple as it presents itself to be. When it frequently causes pain and bleeding, suspect more than it just being a lump in the ovary. It is best that a sample is taken or the whole ovarian cyst is removed and checked through biopsy. Ovarian cancer still has good prognosis if diagnosed at an early stage. This depends on how prompt the woman is in assessing herself and consulting her medical doctor about it.

Leave your Comment


An ovarian cyst is usually found in one ovary. They are sacs filled with fluid that forms usually after ovulation process. Some cysts are detected earlier but are not removed. This paves the way of another ovarian cyst forming on the other ovary. This is termed as “Bilateral ovarian cyst”. In simple terms, it means that both right and left ovary has ovarian cyst.

There are two ovarian cysts, therefore the manifestations are twice the degree. This is bad for the woman because the pain is felt on both right and left part of the abdomen as both of the cyst increase in size. The heaviness is greater considering two ovaries and their weights are added to that of the weight of the woman. The change in abdomen size is more noticeable.

Rupture is a more serious problem with this especially of both ovarian cysts ended up as such. Pain will no longer be tolerable and it is very important to get the woman to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Treatment after detection from ultrasound will still depend on the size of the ovarian cyst and the capacity of the body to withstand the treatment. The removal of the cysts can be done in a way that the ovaries are saved. But in complicated status, the ovaries are surgically removed. This means that there will be no possibility of ovulation and getting pregnant.

Bilateral ovarian cysts are still mostly benign and non-alarming. However because of the fact that there are 2 ovarian cysts, the symptoms become a burden to the woman. It is advised that she asks her doctor how to remove them early in a manner that is safe to her as well.

Leave your Comment