Endometrial cyst
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Endometrioid cyst is a kind of cystic ovary formation, which differs from functional neoplasms by the mechanism of formation and development. Most often the endometrial cyst is formed in both ovaries as a result of the main chronic disease - endometriosis. Endometrial cells are able to spread to many nearby organs and ducts, it grows and lining the vagina, fallopian tubes, ovaries. Similar pathological foci are considered hormonal dependent and actively function. With each new menstruation, endometrial cells grow more and more in the cortical tissues of the ovaries and provoke the formation of neoplasms of a rather large size. The endometrial cyst is also called rather figuratively and aptly, characterizing the contents of the cyst cavity - the chocolate cyst. In the cavity of the neoplasm is the contents of a brown shade, consisting of blood clots that have not found a way out during menstruation.
The endometrial cyst is classified as follows:
- Stage I. Small punctate neoplasms that are localized on the surface of the ovary, often they are common in the peritoneum, closer to the rectum. These cysts do not yet have a cavity, they rather resemble a swollen endometrioid tissue.
- Stage II. Neoplasm is formed on one ovary, develops to a size of 3-5 centimeters, may have smaller adjacent inclusions in the peritoneum, localization is the area of the rectum. Often accompanied by spikes, but, while not involving the intestine.
- Stage III. The endometrial cyst develops into a large formation, provokes the formation of an adjacent cyst in another ovary. Inclusions grow throughout the uterus, grabbing the fallopian tubes, most of the peritoneum. In the adhesive process, both appendages and intestines are involved.
- Stage IV. Full bilateral cystic formations, 5-8 centimeters in size, proliferation of dissemination affects the bladder, sigmoid part of the intestine, rectum. Adhesive process is diffuse, affecting almost all nearby organs and systems.
[Endometrioid cyst: symptoms
"Chocolate" tumor - this is clearly visible on the echography of education with a capsule, overflowing viscous thick mass of dark brown color. The size of cystic education is quite large, but rarely exceeds 10-12 centimeters. Symptoms in the early stages of development do not appear due to the prevalence of the process and the non-specificity of the symptoms. If the neoplasm reaches a size of 3-5 centimeters, pulling pains appear in the lower abdominal region, and a large cystic formation can cause a disorder of the menstrual cycle, most often dysmenorrhea. Often the cause of persistent, chronic infertility may be an undiagnosed endometrioid cyst that is in the second stage of development. The main sign that the cyst develops into a pathological form is pain:
- Pain during sexual intercourse, most often during the act.
- Pain in the middle period of the menstrual cycle, often cramping.
- Pain in the lower abdomen, right and left, radiating to the lumbar region.
- Too prolonged menstruation with heavy bleeding.
- Discharge after menstruation (smearing).
- Dysmenorrhea.
- In the adhesion process, constipation, delay in urination, flatulence.
The clinical picture of an acute condition is an "acute abdomen" with a rupture of cystic formation. Symptoms - severe pain, spread all over the peritoneum, abdominal muscles tense, tachycardia, drop in pulse and pressure, fainting. This condition is life threatening and requires emergency surgery.
The endometrioid cyst is a rather menacing disease that can result in peritonitis, if the cavity contains pus, the cystic formation is ruptured and the contents enter the peritoneum.
Endometrioid cyst: treatment
Even if the endometrioid cyst is diagnosed at the first stage of development, it should still be removed promptly. Medication conservative therapy, as a rule, does not give the desired result, in addition, the endometrial cyst is able to be malignant, that is, to develop into a malignant formation. The most effective method of surgical intervention, excluding the risk of oncology, is the radical removal of all identified pathological endometriosis foci. Also, depending on the stage of development and the size of the cyst, resection of the ovaries, or one of them, if the woman is in reproductive age is shown. A good result is the laser treatment of the endometriotic cyst, the evaporation of pathological areas of endometriosis. In pregnant women, cystic formations of small size are not removed, as it does not pose a serious threat to either the state of the mother's health or to the future baby. If the neoplasm interferes with the course of pregnancy, it is removed by a gentle laparoscopic method.
The endometriosis cyst is simply prevented - every six months you need to undergo a gynecological examination, preferably a comprehensive examination including visual examination, ultrasound and colposcopy. Timely diagnosed cystic formation of small sizes, as well as endometriosis, is successfully supervised with the help of low-traumatic surgical intervention with preservation of all fertile properties of a woman and her reproductive functions.