What's going on with the cystic mass in the left ovary?

Cystic masses in the left ovary may be caused by physiological cysts, endometriosis, teratomas, serous cystadenoma, cystadenocarcinoma, etc. The diagnosis can be confirmed through ultrasound examination, tumor marker detection, laparoscopy, etc.

1. Physiological cyst

If the corpus luteum does not completely subside after ovulation, a corpus luteum cyst may form. It appears in the second half of the menstrual cycle and is usually less than 5 cm in diameter. It usually has no obvious symptoms. This type of cyst is self-limiting and can be absorbed naturally after 2-3 menstrual cycles. No special treatment is required. It is recommended to review the ultrasound regularly to observe changes.

2. Endometriosis

Ectopic endometrium can form chocolate cysts during periodic ovarian bleeding, often accompanied by symptoms such as progressive dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia. Cysts tend to adhere to surrounding tissues and may affect fertility. After diagnosis, drug treatments such as dienogest tablets, goserelin sustained-release implants, or laparoscopic surgical removal can be selected based on age and fertility needs.

3. Teratoma

Benign tumors derived from ovarian germ cells, with hair, oil and other components visible in the cyst, grow slowly but have a 10-15% chance of torsion. Ultrasound showed a mixed echogenic mass with strong light spots. After diagnosis, laparoscopic cyst removal was recommended, and normal ovarian tissue should be preserved as much as possible in young patients.

4. Serous cystadenoma

A common type of ovarian epithelial tumor, the cyst wall is thin and contains clear serous fluid, and most of them have a unilocular structure. The tumor marker CA125 is usually normal but needs to be distinguished from borderline tumors. When the diameter exceeds 5 cm or there are symptoms of compression, laparoscopic or open surgical resection is required.

5. Cystadenocarcinoma

Malignant ovarian tumors are often asymptomatic in the early stage, but may present with symptoms such as ascites and weight loss in the late stage. Ultrasound showed a cystic-solid mass with papillary protrusions and significantly elevated CA125. Treatment requires comprehensive staging surgery combined with chemotherapy regimens such as paclitaxel injection and carboplatin injection according to the stage.

After discovering a cystic mass in the left ovary, strenuous exercise should be avoided to prevent cyst rupture or torsion. It is recommended to review ultrasound every 3-6 months to monitor changes. Women of childbearing age need to pay attention to changes in their menstrual cycles, and postmenopausal women need to be alert to the possibility of malignancy if new cysts or existing cysts enlarge. Maintain a balanced diet every day, supplement vitamin E and selenium in an appropriate amount, and avoid abusing hormone health products.