Ovarian Cysts
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac in or on the ovary; most in premenopausal women are functional and resolve spontaneously, so the clinical task is to separate these benign cysts from the minority that are complications (torsion, rupture) or malignant, using menopausal status, ultrasound morphology and CA125.
Definition
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-containing sac within or on the surface of an ovary. It may be functional and cycle-related, benign but pathological such as an endometrioma or dermoid cyst, or associated with a borderline or malignant ovarian mass. Most simple cysts before the menopause are benign.
First principles
Why the menstrual cycle generates functional cysts
Follicles and corpora lutea are normal fluid-containing ovarian structures. A follicular or corpus-luteum cyst is an exaggeration of the ovulatory cycle and often resolves without intervention. This is why a small, simple, asymptomatic premenopausal cyst is generally observed rather than removed.
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