About ovarian cysts

A cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops in the ovary and usually dissolves after ovulation.
Cysts are typically sacs containing liquid or some debris, and are also usually benign (non-

cancerous).
It's normal for newborn baby girls to have cysts on their ovaries, which may be seen on prenatal

ultrasounds.
These cysts may be as large as two inches in size after birth and still go away on their own

without causing problems.

In adolescence, cysts may form in response to fluctuating hormone levels.
Complications from the cysts can include:
ovarian torsion
It blocks the blood from going to the ovary.
If this were to happen, you would have severe abdominal pain and you might feel like throwing up

or even feel like passing out.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately or go to the closest

hospital emergency room.

rupture
When the cyst ruptures, it may cause severe pain and lead to internal bleeding. Internal bleeding

can be fatal, and requires immediate emergency room care.

Types of cysts
functional cysts
most common type of cyst
normally occur as a result of ovulation
usually shrinks within 60 days
two types of functional cysts
follicular cyst
When the follicle fails to rupture and release an egg during the

midpoint of the menstrual cycle, it forms a cyst.

corpus luteum cyst
After the follicle releases the egg, the follicle closes back up,
trapping fluid and forming a cyst.

After the follicle releases the egg, the follicle usually stays open.
In cases the follicle does not stay open and it closes back up, this traps the fluid and forms a cyst.
polycystic ovaries
egg follicles fail to form, and become cysts
in some cases, many cysts develop inside the ovary
harmless and painless

endometriomas
uterus lining tissue in the ovaries
very painful and can affect a womans fertility

cystadenomas
on the surface of ovaries

filled with watery liquid or a mucous material

dermoid cysts
tissues such as skin, hair and teeth grow in the ovary because they form cells

that produce human eggs

rarely cancerous
usually occur in women from ages 20 and 40
Ovarian tumors:

Ovarian tumors are non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) lumps of cells on the
ovaries.

Early diagnosis of an ovarian tumor is important so that any (potential) cancer can be treated
early.

An ovarian mass that appears innocent and doesn't cause symptoms may be kept under
observation.
Types of tumors
epithelial cell tumors
most common type
develop from the ovaries surface

germ cell tumors

develop in the egg producing cells
most are benign, few are cancerous

stromal tumors
develop in the female hormone producing cells
Can a cyst become a tumor?
Yes. There are different kinds of cysts: functional cysts and non-functional cysts. Non-functional cysts do
not go away and are not associated with a woman producing egg an each month. They can either be
benign or develop to be malignant.
What are ovaries?
Women have two, small, grape-shaped organs called ovaries inside of her abdomen (belly) on either side
of her uterus. When a girl is born, her ovaries are already filled with millions of eggs. When she reaches
puberty, chemical signals from the pituitary gland in the brain tells the ovaries to ripen an egg. Usually
once a month, an egg is released from a fluid filled sac in the ovary so it can travel through the fallopian
tube to the uterus. This is called ovulation which is part of a womans monthly cycle.

Whats the difference between a tumor and a cyst?

Cysts are more likely to be benign than tumors are.
Tumors are a more solid mass of tissue, while cysts are filled with fluid, tissues, or other
materials.
Can ovarian cysts be prevented?
If a woman has a large ovarian cyst or a history of developing ovarian cysts, a health care provider may
prescribe birth control pills to prevent her body from ovulating. This lowers her chances of forming new

cysts in the future, but doesnt make the cyst she already has go away any faster. If you or your daughter
wants to learn more, talk to your health care provider about birth control pills.
Are they curable?
Benign ovarian cysts may be cured by surgically removing them, but new cysts may form in the
future.Patients may need follow-up testing with ultrasound due to the risk of additional cysts forming in the
future.
How serious are cysts if theyre non-cancerous?
A non-cancerous ovarian cyst usually doesnt cause any problems, but occasionally it may cause the
ovary to twist on its root. This is called torsion and it blocks the blood from going to the ovary.
How serious are they if theyre cancerous?
All cancer should be taken seriously, but in children and adolescents, ovarian cancer has a much higher
cure rate than adult forms of ovarian cancer.

Causes
What causes ovarian masses?
The cause of ovarian tumors in infants and children is unknown. In adolescence, ovarian cysts

can develop in response to fluctuating levels of female sex hormones during the menstrual cycle.
For more information on how ovarian tumors develop, see: Germ cell tumors.

What are some risk factors for ovarian cancer?

inherited gene mutations
breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1)
breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2)
family history of ovarian cancer
previous cancer diagnosis
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of ovarian masses?
A girl with an ovarian tumor may have no specific symptoms. However, depending on the size, location
and type, it may cause some the following symptoms:

a feeling of pressure or fullness in the abdomen or pelvis

a firm, painless swelling in the lower abdomen
frequent urination or retention of urine
persistent abdominal pain
Sometimes ovarian cysts will cause pain from bleeding or twisting.

nausea
vomiting
Among girls younger than 8, an ovarian tumor or cyst may cause secretions of estrogen, producing:

breast enlargement
pubic hair

vaginal discharge or bleeding

abnormal menstrual bleeding
If you or your daughter has belly pain that doesnt go away or irregular periods, tell your health care
professional.
FAQ
Q: My child has a pain on her side every month or so, is this normal?
A: Some women experience pain on one side or the other below their belly button about two weeks
before they get their periods. Others do not. This is called mittlesmirtz, which means pain or discomfort
with ovulation. This kind of pain is mild to moderate and usually lasts anywhere from one hour to one to
two days. But if you have severe pain, it could be caused from other problems so you should check with
your health care provider or go to an emergency room.
Q: Are ovarian cysts common?
A:Ovarian cysts can be common in girls and women who have started their periods.
Q: How likely is an ovarian tumor to be cancerous?
A:In girls younger than 8, one out of five ovarian tumors are cancerous.
Q: Can my daughter still have a child of her own if an ovary is removed?
A:Yes. In the rare case that an ovary has to be removed, your daughter can still have a child if one of her
ovaries is removed.
Q: Is my daughter going to be OK if she has a cyst?
A: An ovarian cyst usually doesnt cause any problems, but occasionally it may cause the ovary to twist
on its root. This is called torsion. Torsion blocks the blood from going to the ovary. If this were to happen
to your daughter, she would have severe abdominal pain and you might feel like throwing up or even feel
like passing out. If your daughter has any of these symptoms, she should see her doctor immediately or
go to the closest hospital emergency room.
Q: Is my daughter going to be OK if she has a tumor?
A:In girls younger than 8, four out of five ovarian tumors are benign, but your daughter may need surgery,
radiation or chemotherapy if the mass is cancerous.
Q: Can my child still exercise if she has an ovarian cyst?
A:Your health care provider might recommend your daughter not to exercise or participate in sports until
the cyst becomes small or goes away completely. This is because vigorous activity might cause her ovary
to twist on itself which is a condition that requires emergency care.
Q: Can children have ovarian cancer?
A:Yes. Children, specifically girls, can have ovarian cancer. Most ovarian cancers in children and teens
can be treated with surgery and close observation. Rarely chemotherapy is needed and the Dana Farber
Cancer Center, which is affiliated with Boston Childrens, offers several resources for treating and coping
with ovarian cancer.
Q: Can ovarian cancer be contagious?
A:No.
Q: What are potential long-term health consequences?
A: As long as the ovary is saved, there are generally no long term issues except the need for follow up
surveillance with ultrasound due to the risk of additional cysts or tumors forming in the future. When it

comes to removal of benign masses or tumors, almost 100 percent of ovaries are saved. In the rare case
in which an ovary is permanently removed, a woman can still get pregnant with one ovary.