Can Ovarian Cysts Cause Cancer?

Can ovarian cysts cause cancer? This is a common question many women ask, especially those who have been diagnosed with having ovarian cysts, or even those who merely suspects they have ovarian cysts. If this question concerns you, let's clarify something now: ovarian cysts are very common and affect most women of child bearing age. However, they are mostly harmless and experts estimate only about 15 cases out of a whopping 100,000 (that's only about 0.015%) cases of ovarian cysts turn into cancers.
Although the percentage is rather small, it must also be noted that cancerous ovaries tend to hide any symptoms until they are larger. This makes it very important for women to check with their doctors early if they suspect that something is amiss. It is also a very good practice to have annual pelvic examinations as this will allow your doctor or gynecologist to detect any ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries and even possible cancers early.
One of the tests that doctors use to determine whether an ovarian cyst is cancerous is a blood test called the CA-125 test. However, it is important to note that sometimes, some cancer growths in the ovaries do not produce enough CA-125 to be detected by this test so it is not foolproof. And even if CA-125 is detected, it may be also caused by other non-cancerous health conditions.
In some cases, not only can ovarian cysts cause cancer,they can also cause other possibly life threatening complications, especially if they develop further into PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). These complications may take the following forms:
1. Cardiovascular disease - linked to insulin resistance, decreased fibrinolysis, increased C-reactive protein levels and increased carotid intimal thickness.
2. Diabetes - linked to insulin resistance and exhaustion of the pancreas.
3. Pregnancy related problems - linked to hypertension and pre-eclampsia.
4. Elevated LDL - bad cholesterol.
5. High blood pressure.
So, to recap: Can ovarian cysts cause cancer? Yes it can, but it is relatively rare. Cancer, as well as ovarian cysts and PCOS have been linked to an imbalanced lifestyle where people are over-stressed at work, eating the wrong kinds of food and practically living a life where their bodies are continuously challenged to maintain its balance. Practitioners of holistic healing and natural living believe that it is when this balance is lost that disease and health complications arise. To complement your current healthcare, you may want to explore natural remedies to reduce or prevent the occurrence of ovarian cysts, PCOS and cancerous cysts.

By Brian M Lee

The Danger When An Ovarian Cyst Ruptures

For women who are menstruating, it is very common to experience ovarian cysts that rupture. The cysts may often be symptom-less and disappear by themselves. Nonetheless, in other instances the development of ovarian cysts may be a much greater source of worry.

Ovarian Cyst Ruptures

The danger of rupture exists especially when identification during the early period of an ovarian cyst is not made. Intense pain is the result of an ovarian cyst that ruptures and this can lead to grave medical complications. Both infection and hemorrhage can be the result of a ruptured ovarian cyst. If the cyst does not heal alone, a doctor may recommend its removal surgically. The doctor would take a sample of the ovarian cyst in order to examine it for potential malignancy. But ovarian cysts can be responsible for grave and complex difficulties that might not arise if you were examined quickly enough after even the slightest warning of an ovarian cyst. If you are worried that you might have an ovarian cyst, then you should consult a specialized physician for confirmation of your symptoms as rapidly as possible in order to avoid any medical deterioration.

Indications Concerning Ovarian Cysts

It is the pelvic examination routine that generally allows the discovery of ovarian cysts. In this case a physician would typically examine a cyst over about one month using ultrasounds to see if the cyst will clear up by itself. If this is not the case or if further symptoms or pain were involved then a physician would test to find out whether the system is dangerous. Symptoms linking ovarian cysts with danger might include painful or perturbed periods, pain during bowel movements or sexual intercourse, and pain at the abdomen, which might also spread to the buttocks and thighs.

Ovarian Cysts - Recognizing Symptoms

Severe pain can be caused by a cyst that ruptures, but this can also lead to grave medical complications. A cyst that has broken open will show symptoms very similar to that of a normal ovarian cyst. In both cases, severe pain is the common element. Because ovarian cysts often arise without symptoms for many women and may even go away by themselves without medical intervention, the downside is that grave complications may also come about. These could include the cyst rupturing or organs being subjected to pressure or torsion. However women with ruptured ovarian cysts often experience symptoms such as pain not only during menstruation, but in particular just before or after. This pain is described by sufferers as sharp and piercing especially in the lower part of the abdomen when such a cyst breaks open. The other consequence of an ovarian cyst rupturing is the abdomen becoming distended or sensitive.

Ovarian Cysts - Getting a Diagnosis

For sufferers in a critical condition arriving at the emergency department, the stabilization of their condition is first done by the medical team while diagnosis of the ovarian cyst rupture is accomplished. An emergency gynecologist or physician can use a variety of diagnostic tests to find out about the ovarian cysts rupture. The doctor will do a test on your blood to find out from a number of variables about your condition. Your hematocrit level will also be checked to see how many red blood cells you have. A hematocrit level that is lessened may suggest that significant internal bleeding has caused anemia. A urine test is also done to see if any pus or blood has been generated from the ovaries that might be due to a ruptured ovarian cyst causing infection or information. Also important is a pregnancy test. The explanation for this is that indications of pregnancy in the fallopian tubes are also very frequent when ovarian cysts rupture: this is known as ectopic pregnancy.

Treating Ovarian Cysts

In the first instance, women should be educated about the ovarian cysts that might rupture in either a malignant or asymptomatic fashion. Because ovarian cysts are common, a number of online resources exist with relevant information about ovarian cysts and their treatment. Nevertheless, as several techniques exist to treat ovarian cysts, you should understand that some might be very expensive and others might only provide relief from a symptom rather than treatment of the problem. If you require a real solution to an ovarian cyst that is ruptured, then a holistic program is the right choice. The treatment is made according to the real cause of the problem with a cyst to ensure that a permanent solution is found.

Mary Parker