• Ovarian cysts develop at some stage in a woman’s life. Some are cancerous and can’t be ignored

Kathmandu, July 31 The number of patients undergoing surgery of ovarian cysts has risen in recent years. According to data provided by Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, as many as 250 women underwent surgery of ovarian cysts in fiscal year 2018-19. The number was 200 in 2017-18. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets in the ovary or on its surface. These ovarian follicles don’t have any symptoms. But pain and irregular bleeding may occur when they twist (torsion of ovarian cyst) or rapture. Though most ovarian cysts present little or no discomfort and are harmless, some of them are cancerous. “Ovarian cysts develop at some stage in a woman’s life. In most cases, cysts disappear after a few months. Some ovarian cysts are cancerous which shouldn’t be ignored,”said Gehanath Baral, gynaecologist at Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital. “Ovarian cysts appear during reproductive age, especially between 15 to 45 years,” said Baral. There is no exact reason for the development of cysts in ovary but they appear and disappear during menstrual period due to hormonal changes. Cysts can develop into tumours if they don’t disappear after menstruation. If a cyst is larger than five centimetres, then it should be thoroughly examined as it possesses high risk of cancer, the doctor said. From among the 250 patients who had undergone surgeries to remove cysts, 20 had developed cancers, according to the hospital. Cysts are detected through ultrasounds. Most women visit the hospital only after cysts grow large, said doctor Baral. Women with cysts experience pain in abdomen, heaviness or fullness in abdomen, discomfort and severe pain at times. They usually visit hospitals complaining of untimely menstruation, heavy bleeding and abdominal pain. “Patient must have early check-up and should consult doctors for diagnosis in case of abdominal pain,” said doctor Baral.