How are cysts treated?
Watchful waiting. If you have a cyst, you may be told to wait and have a second exam in 1 to 3 months. Your doctor will check to see if the cyst has changed in size. This is a common treatment option for women who: • are in their childbearing years • have no symptoms • have a fluid-filled cyst It may be an option for postmenopausal women. Surgery. Your doctor may want to remove the cyst if you are postmenopausal, or if it: • doesn’t go away after several menstrual cycles • gets larger • looks odd on the ultrasound • causes pain The two main surgeries are: • Laparoscopy (lap-uh-ROSS-kuh-pee)—done if the cyst is small and looks benign (noncancerous) on the ultrasound. While you are under general anesthesia, a very small cut is made above or below your navel. A small instrument that acts like a telescope is put into your abdomen. Then your doctor can remove the cyst. • Laparotomy (lap-uh-ROT-uh-mee)—done if the cyst is large and may be cancerous.
Watchful waiting. If you have a cyst, you may be told to wait and have a second exam in 1 to 3 months. Your doctor will check to see if the cyst has changed in size. This is a common treatment option for women who: • are in their childbearing years • have no symptoms • have a fluid-filled cyst It may be an option for postmenopausal women. Surgery. Your doctor may want to remove the cyst if you are postmenopausal, or if it: • doesn’t go away after several menstrual cycles • gets larger • looks odd on the ultrasound • causes pain The two main surgeries are: • Laparoscopy (lap-uh-ROSS-kuh-pee)—done if the cyst is small and looks benign (noncancerous) on the ultrasound. While you are under general anesthesia, a very small cut is made above or below your navel. A small instrument that acts like a telescope is put into your abdomen. Then your doctor can remove the cyst. • Laparotomy (lap-uh-ROT-uh-mee)—done if the cyst is large and may be cancerous. While you are under general anesthesia, la
