Most noncancerous cysts and tumors do not cause any symptoms, but some cause pain or a feeling of heaviness in the pelvis.
Doctors may detect growths during a pelvic examination, then use ultrasonography to confirm the diagnosis.
Some cysts disappear on their own.
Cysts or tumors may be removed through one or more small incisions or one large incision in the abdomen, and sometimes the affected ovary must also be removed.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form in or on an ovary. Such cysts are relatively common. Most are noncancerous (benign) and disappear on their own. Cancerous cysts are more likely to occur in women over 40.
Functional cysts
Functional cysts form from the fluid-filled cavities (follicles) in the ovaries. Each follicle contains one egg. Usually, during each menstrual cycle, one follicle releases one egg, and the follicle goes away after the egg is released. However, if an egg is not released, the follicle may continue to enlarge, forming a larger cyst.
About one third of women who are menstruating have cysts. Functional cysts seldom develop after menopause.
There are two types of functional cysts:
Follicular cysts: These cysts form as the egg is developing in the follicle.
Corpus luteum cysts: These cysts develop from the structure that forms after the follicle ruptures and releases its egg. This structure is called the corpus luteum. Corpus luteum cysts may bleed, causing the ovary to bulge, or they may rupture. If the cyst ruptures, fluids escape into spaces in the abdomen (the abdominal cavity) and may cause severe pain.
Most functional cysts are less than about 2/3 inch (1.5 centimeters) in diameter. A few are 2 inches (5 centimeters) or more.
Functional cysts usually disappear on their own after a few days or weeks.
Benign tumors
Noncancerous (benign) ovarian tumors usually grow slowly and rarely become cancerous. The most common include the following:
Benign cystic teratomas (dermoid cysts): These tumors usually develop from all three layers of tissue in the embryo (called germ cell layers). All organs form from these tissues. Thus, teratomas may contain tissues from other structures, such as nerves, glands, and skin.
Fibromas: These tumors are solid masses composed of connective tissue (the tissues that hold structures together). Fibromas are slow-growing and are usually less than 3 inches (about 7 centimeters) in diameter. They usually occur on only one side.
Cystadenomas: These fluid-filled cysts develop from the surface of the ovary and contain some tissue from glands in the ovaries.
Symptoms
Most functional cysts and noncancerous ovarian tumors do not cause any symptoms. Occasionally, the pelvic area aches, or pain occurs during sexual intercourse.
Some cysts produce hormones that affect menstrual periods. As a result, periods may be irregular or heavier than normal. Spotting may occur between periods. In postmenopausal women, such cysts may cause vaginal bleeding.
If corpus luteum cysts bleed, they may cause pain or tenderness in the pelvic area.
Occasionally, sudden, severe abdominal pain occurs because a large cyst or mass causes the ovary to twist (a disorder called adnexal torsion Adnexal Torsion Adnexal torsion is twisting of the ovary and sometimes the fallopian tube, cutting off the blood supply of these organs. Twisting causes sudden, severe pain and often vomiting. Doctors use an... read more ).
Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites Ascites Ascites is the accumulation of protein-containing (ascitic) fluid within the abdomen. Many disorders can cause ascites, but the most common is high blood pressure in the veins that bring blood... read more ) can occur with fibromas and ovarian cancer. Ascites may cause a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the abdomen.
Diagnosis
A pelvic examination
Ultrasonography
Doctors sometimes detect cysts or tumors during a routine pelvic examination Pelvic Examination For gynecologic care, a woman should choose a health care practitioner with whom she can comfortably discuss sensitive topics, such as sex, birth control, pregnancy, and problems related to... read more . Sometimes doctors suspect them based on symptoms. Often, they are identified when an imaging test (such as ultrasonography) is done for another reason.
When the diagnosis needs to be confirmed, ultrasonography using an ultrasound device inserted into the vagina (transvaginal ultrasonography Other tests 
) is done.
A pregnancy test is done to rule out pregnancy, including pregnancy located outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy Ectopic Pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy is attachment (implantation) of a fertilized egg in an abnormal location, such as the fallopian tubes. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fetus cannot survive. When an ectopic pregnancy... read more ).
If imaging suggests that the growth could be cancerous, doctors remove it and examine it under a microscope. A laparoscope Laparoscopy Sometimes doctors recommend screening tests, which are tests that are done to look for disorders in people who have no symptoms. If women have symptoms related to the reproductive system (gynecologic... read more 
, inserted through a small incision just below the navel, may be used to examine the ovaries and to remove the growth.
Doctors may also do blood tests to check for substances called tumor markers, which may appear in the blood or may increase when some cancers are present. These tests can help confirm or rule out cancer.
Treatment
Sometimes surgery
If ovarian cysts are less than about 2 inches (about 5 centimeters) in diameter, they usually disappear without treatment. Ultrasonography is done periodically to check.
If a cyst is larger than about 2 inches (5 centimeters) and does not disappear, it may need to be removed. If cancer cannot be ruled out, the ovary is removed. If the cyst is cancerous, the cysts and the affected ovary and fallopian tube are removed.
Benign tumors, such as fibromas and cystadenomas, require treatment.
If possible, a cyst or tumor is removed using one of the following procedures:
Laparoscopy
Laparotomy
Laparoscopy requires one or more small incisions in the abdomen. It is done in a hospital and usually requires a general anesthetic. However, women may not have to stay overnight.
Laparotomy is similar but requires a larger incision and an overnight stay in the hospital.
Which procedure is used depends on how large the growth is and whether other organs are affected.
If technically feasible, doctors aim to preserve the ovaries by removing only the cyst (cystectomy).
Removal of the affected ovary (oophorectomy) is necessary for the following:
Fibromas or other solid tumors if the tumor cannot be removed by cystectomy
Cystadenomas
Cystic teratomas that are larger than 4 inches
Cysts that cannot be surgically separated from the ovary
Most cysts that occur in postmenopausal women and that are larger than about 2 inches
