Lecture 17 - Ovarian Disorders Flashcards
Ovarian cysts
derived from a neoplastic process –growth of tissues –that occurs within the ovary
most arise in the ovary of fallopian tube (para-ovarian cyst)
rarely cancerous in young populations
What lab do you need to run for any women of childbearing age that presents with pelvic pain or irregular bleeding?
BhCG
risk of ectopic pregnancy
What is the clinical presentation of people with ovarian cysts?
most are asymptomatic
may also cause: pelvic pain -dull/sharp -constant/intermettent pelvic pressure/fullness painful intercourse bloating torsion
adnexal fullness, tenderness
What are the two compartments of ovary?
cortex (outer portion)
-follicles/eggs here
medulla (inner potion)
Simple vs complex cyst
simple:
- filled with serous/watery fluid
- composed of granulosa cells (SAME cells as follicles)
- Thin walled
- regress spontaneously
- almost always benign
- can reach 5-7cm, typically not much larger
Complex:
- may be fluid filled: blood, mucous, etc
- solid component
- internal debris
- thick walled
- sepations
- papilla
- typically benign, but should have lower threshold of suspicion (>5cm, >45yo)
Functional cysts
arise from normal ovarian function (less common in menopausal women)
resolve spontaneously
Chocolate cysts
endometrioma causing a cyst
“ground glass” appearance on US
What causes a cyst in the ovaries?
Endometrioma
Theca Lutein Cysts
Medullary and germ cell tumors
Endometrioma
cause behind cyst formation
“chocolate cysts”
complex
ground glass appearance on US
ectopic growth of endometrial tissue –more pain on periods
will likely have elevated CA 125
typically does NOT resolve spontaneously
Tx: expectant management (watch and wait)
laparoscopy removal
OCP
Lupron in the form of depo
Elevated CA 125
doesn’t always have to mean cancer (tumor marker for ovarian cancer)
can be endometrioma
Theca Lutein Cysts
RARE luteinized follicular cysts 96% bilateral seen in pregnancy, molar pregnancy, multiple gestation, ovulation induction, GnRH analogue use, DM common denominator HCG
typically resolved after source of HCG is removed
Medullary and germ cell tumors
of the ovaries
neoplasia related to gene expression changes that lead to mitosis
these cysts do NOT typically resolve with time and should be monitored or resected
mature cystic teratoma (AKA dermoid cyst)
- germ cell tumor –> ectodermal, mesoderm, endodermal
- represents 70% of ovarian neoplasms age 10-30 yo
Immature teratoma
= cancer
What is the treatment for mature cystic teratoma?
watch and wait (aka dermoid cyst)
Cystadenoma
serous and mucinous (typically unilateral)
thin walled –> can initially look similar to simple cyst
What are the different ways to manage a benign cyst?
symptomatic treatment
- most cysts resolve spontaneoulsy (within 1-2 menstrual cycles)
NSAIDs, heat
Hormonal treatment
OCP for simple cyst and endometriomas –> prevent new cysts from forming (controversial as to whether or not they will “shrink” the existing cyst)
Surgical management
cyst aspiration
can be accompanied by methotrexate injection (reduce fluid production and recurrence)
laparoscopy –> cysts typically >4-5 cm and causing refractory pain
What are concerning findings of ovarian cysts?
high suspicion of malignancy:
- solid component
- irregularly thick septations
- blood flow in solid component (internal blood flow)
- ascites
- peritoneal masses, enlarged lymph notes, matted bowel
obtain pelvic MRI and CA-125
70% of malignant ovarian tumors present how?
multiocular with solid components