Publication:

A retrospective study of ovarian cysts

Background The ovaries are paired sex glands or gonads in female and are concerned with germ cell maturation, storage and its release. The ovaries are also concerned with steroidogenesis.  The ovary is covered by a single layer of cuboidal cells known as germinal epithelium. As per the clinical features of the benign ovarian tumors, benign tumors predominantly manifest in late reproductive age.

Methods This retrospective study is conducted in SVMCH and RC, Ariyur, Pondicherry. During the period of two years (2011-2013).This analysis was done keeping in mind, the objectives to know the histopathology and clinical symptoms of patients who required the surgery for adnexal mass (ovarian mass). We have operated most of the cases, laproscopically; however few patients who had large mass and unfit for laparoscopic surgery underwent conventional laparotomy.

Results As we analyzed retrospectively these 123 cases, there were 59 (47.96%) cases of benign cystic ovarian tumors, of which 23 (18.69%) cases were serous cystadenoma which was the commonest of all in this study. This was followed by mucinous cystadenoma 12 (9.75%).In our study the least common benign tumor was serous fibroadenoma, which was seen in 2 (1.62%). We came across only one (1.23%) case of malignant ovarian tumor, which was found in a postmenopausal woman.

Conclusions Unilocular simple ovarian cysts are usually functional ovarian cysts and resolve spontaneously. Therapy by 3 to 6 months of Oral Contraceptives, usually resolves them and this also helps to distinguish between physiological and pathological ovarian cysts