cyst, ovarian

cyst, ovarian A fluid-filled sac in the ovary. The most common type of ovarian cyst is a follicular cyst. Other cysts can contain blood; they are called hemorrhagic or endometrioid cysts. Still other types of ovarian cysts are called dermoid cysts, or ovarian teratomas. These bizarre but usually benign tumors can contain many different body tissues, such as hair, teeth, bone, or cartilage. Most ovarian cysts are never noticed. When a cyst causes symptoms, pain is by far the most common feature. Pain from an ovarian cyst can be caused by rupture of the cyst, rapid growth of the cyst, and spontaneous bleeding into the cyst, or the cyst twisting around its blood supply. Diagnosis is usually made with ultrasound imaging. Treatment of ovarian cysts depends on the woman’s age, the size and type of the cyst, and the cyst’s appearance on ultrasound. If a cyst is causing severe pain, is not resolving, or is suspicious in any way, it can be removed through laparoscopy or, if necessary, through an open laparotomy (bikini incision). See also cyst of the ovary, follicular; ovarian teratoma.