An Experience of Ovarian Cysts/ Tumors over a Period of Two Years

Abstract

Objective: To observe the various presentations, clinical course and outcome of patients presenting with ovarian cysts/ tumors Study Design: Observational study. Study Period: March 2010- March 2012. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Punjab Employees Social Security Hospital (PESSI), Islamabad. Methods: Thirty one patients presented in Gynae department with ovarian cyst/ tumor or incidentally found to have a cyst during work up for other problems were included in the study. Their clinical presentations, associated problems, course of their management and out comes were observed. The histopathology reports of the surgically managed patients were also collected in the data. Results: Most of the patients were in reproductive age group and multipara. The commonest presentation was acute abdominal pain in 12 (38.70%) patients, followed by chronic pelvic pain in 7 (22.58%) patients, menstrual problems in 4 (12.90%), patients and postmenopausal bleeding in 3 (9.57%). two (6.45%)  patients were incidentallyfound to have complex ovarian cysts during work up for infertility. Another 6.45% patients presented with enlarged ovaries with multiple clear ovarian cysts as a result of ovulation induction. Two patients had adenocarcinoma. Out of them, one presented with recurrence. Corpus luteal cyst was the commonest histopathological diagnosis (55%), followed by endometrioma (44%). Ten patients (32.25%) were managed conservatively, while surgery was performed in 21 (67.75%) patients. Conclusion: Ovarian cysts are common in reproductive age group. Most of them are benign and respond to conservative management, provided they are clear, with no signs of acute complications in these cases. Unnecessary surgery can be avoided with proper monitoring and selection of patients.  Surgery is mandatory however in post- menopausal age group because of increased chances of malignancy.