How do ovarian cysts come about?

Uterine and ovarian tumors are common tumors of the female reproductive organs with various characteristics and shapes, namely unilateral or bilateral, cystic or solid, benign or malignant, among which cystic is the most common, with a certain proportion of malignancy.

Causes of ovarian cysts

1. Genetic factors

According to a survey, 20% to 25% of patients with uterine and ovarian tumors have a family history.

2. Endocrine factors

The uterus and ovaries are key human organs for ovulation and metabolism of gonadal hormones. Uterine and ovarian tumors mostly occur during the reproductive age. In clinical medicine, the basic pathological and physiological changes of many patients with ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome are that the uterus and ovaries produce too much androgen, and the excess of androgen is the result of abnormal synergistic effects of various endocrine functions in the body.

3. Lifestyle factors

Long-term diet structure, unhealthy lifestyle, and excessive mental stress can lead to physiological ovarian cysts and pathological tumors in the uterus and ovaries.

4. Environmental factors

Pollution of food materials, such as plant growth hormones used in fruits and vegetables, and growth hormone components in animal essences used in livestock and poultry feeding. In recent years, with the improvement of living standards and changes in dietary structure in my country, as well as the abuse of hormones and health foods such as breast enhancement, weight loss, and anti-aging by some young women, the trend of multiple and younger occurrence of uterine and ovarian tumors may also be related.

Clinical symptoms of ovarian cysts

Abdominal masses below medium size, if without complications or exacerbation, are most often mobile and can usually move from the pelvis to the abdomen. In the case of malignant transformation or inflammation, the movement of the tumor is restricted, there is tenderness, and even retroperitoneal irritation symptoms and ascites may occur.

Ovarian cyst examination

Color Doppler ultrasound, MRI, CT, blood cell tumor markers, and in some special cases, abdominal puncture, laparoscopy, and laparotomy.

1. Color Doppler Ultrasound Examination

Ultrasound is the simplest way to detect ovarian cysts. Color Doppler ultrasound examination can show that the uterus and ovary of the affected limb are swollen and there is dull pain.

2. Laparoscopy

The general condition of the mass can be seen directly, the entire pelvis and abdomen can be observed, more puncture biopsies can be performed at abnormal locations, and peritoneal fluid can be collected for cytological examination to confirm the diagnosis and postoperative monitoring. However, it is contraindicated for patients with large lumps or adhesive lumps, and the retroperitoneal lymph nodes cannot be observed.

3. Radiological diagnosis

MRI, CT, etc. are helpful in diagnosing the metastasis of tumors to the liver, lungs, and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Abdominal radiographs are helpful in confirming the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction.

4. Others

If the cyst is a malignant ovarian tumor, like other tumors, it can produce and release a variety of substances such as antigens, hormones and enzymes. These substances can be detected in the patient's blood cells through medical immunology, biochemistry and other methods. They are called tumor markers, which remind the body of the presence of a certain type of tumor.

(1) Antigen marker CA125 is a relatively sensitive tumor marker for uterine and ovarian tumors. AFP is the best tumor marker for endodermal sinus tumor. The AFP value of immature teratoma may also be elevated. The increase of AFP is often reflected in clinical symptoms, which is of important significance in both diagnosis and monitoring.

(2) The growth hormone marker human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit (β-hCG) is a highly specific marker for gestational trophoblastic disease, and its blood cell concentration is often elevated in patients with uterine and ovarian choriocarcinoma. Patients with granulosa cell tumors and theca ovale cell tumors have elevated estrogen levels. 30% of male testicular blastoma patients have increased urinary 17-ketosteroid hormone excretion.

(3) The excretion of enzyme marker/lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is increased in patients with uterine and ovarian malignant tumors.