Some women that develop ovarian cysts may face having to get them removed. This is especially true in cases where the cysts are large, irregularly shaped, solid, twisted, cause pain, have ruptured or if it’s suspected that they’re cancerous.

These are the cysts that will most likely not be going away on their own and will need to be removed. It should also be noted that developing an ovarian cyst that’s cancerous happens more as the woman gets older. Therefore, older patients are more likely to have the cysts immediately removed.

Prior to the removal of an ovarian cyst, the doctor will usually perform a complete physical examination of the patient. These examinations typically include urine and blood tests along with a review of any medications that the patient is currently taking. Specific tests to confirm that there’s an ovarian cyst can include an abdominal x-ray and a CT scan.

Once the presence of the ovarian cyst is confirmed, surgical removal of the cyst is usually scheduled. This surgery can be performed through either open or laparoscopic methods. The method will depend on what type of cyst the patient has. For larger cysts, the doctor will usually opt for open surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery uses a thin tube called a laparoscope to insert into the patient by making a small incision in the lower part of the abdomen. This guides the removal of the ovarian cyst. It also helps to locate the cyst.

In order to remove a rather large cyst, the doctor may need to perform this procedure while the patient is under general anesthesia. Following the removal of the ovarian cyst, the patient usually has some discomfort. There are complications that can develop like bleeding and infection. The patient should be made aware that they’re prime candidates for future ovarian cysts. In rare cases, the patient may become infertile.

It’s good news if the ovarian cyst is non-cancerous. The patient will be less likely to suffer any complications and can expect a full recovery in a few weeks. If cancer is found, usually one or both ovaries need to be removed. This is followed by a treatment plan for the cancer.

Following the removal of the ovarian cyst, alert your doctor to any conditions such as excessive bleeding or pain, nausea, fever or chills, vomiting, shortness of breath, abdominal swelling, or anything else that seems problematic. Ovarian cyst removal needs time for the patient to recover and will need monitoring to catch any complications.