What Size of Ovarian Cyst Is Dangerous?

Ovarian cysts are fluids filled in a sac-like structure inside or outside of ovaries in women. Ovarian cysts can be either fluids or semisolids, which are developed in women of their reproductive age. These cysts are generally harmless and benign tumours. They can cause no symptoms until your healthcare professional performs an ultrasound or pelvic exam. There are several types of ovarian cysts and the size of these cysts does matter.

Knowing what size of ovarian cyst is dangerous is significant in maintaining the health of the women. If untreated, the same harmless benign tumours can lead to serious medical complications. .

Understanding the Size of Ovarian Cysts

Recent studies show that ovarian cysts that are smaller than 50mm (5cm) are considered to be harmless and normal. These cysts generally can resolve on their own without the need for any medical interventions.

What size of ovarian cyst is dangerous?

Cysts that are larger than 50mm are considered dangerous and can contribute to various health risks including torsion, rupture, infection, and so on.

Even though ovarian cysts tend to grow continuously, the possibility of them transforming into ovarian cancer is very minimal. Also, it is significant to note that these ovarian cysts are most often benign tumours (noncancerous).

Small cysts (under 40 mm)

Ovarian cysts that are less than 40mm are considered to be smaller cysts in medical terms. Women who are in their premenopausal stage can resolve these cysts on their own without any medical interventions or treatments. Moreover, monitoring ovarian cysts periodically through ultrasound scans can help prevent further complications and growth.

Medium cysts (40-60 mm)

Medium-sized cysts that measure between 40 and 60 mm require a mandatory observation by the physicians. While these cysts are benign tumours, they can contribute to the development of severe discomfort and symptoms in women. Close monitoring through regular ultrasound scans can help prevent further complications and growth.

Large cysts (over 60 mm)

Many women with ovarian cysts might wonder what size of ovarian cyst is dangerous in mm. Ovarian cysts that are larger than 60 mm are considered to be large cysts. These cysts require a necessary medical intervention to avoid severe complications including torsion, rupture, infection, and so on.

Large cysts can also contribute to causing abnormal discomfort and symptoms including:

• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Persistent pain in the pelvis
• Pain during sex
• Difficulty in urinating or bowel movements

Depending on the physician’s evaluation, large cysts might need a surgical intervention to avoid significant health issues.

Giant cysts (over 100 mm)

Ovarian cysts that are greater than 100 mm are considered to be giant cysts. These cysts can contribute to the development of serious medical conditions. They may also cause:

• Abnormal pain in the pelvis and abdomen
• Difficulty breathing
• Bloating
• Bleeding

Giant cysts generally require an immediate surgical intervention, after the complete evaluation by the physician.

Complications of Ovarian Cysts

In the previous section, we have understood what size of ovarian cyst is dangerous in cm or mm. Now, let’s look at the potential risks that are associated with ovarian cysts and their complications.

Risk of Rupture

Ovarian cysts that are bigger in size are most likely to rupture within the woman’s body. The ruptured cyst can lead to serious complications including:

• Infection
• Internal bleeding
• Sharp pain in the abdomen

Such scenarios often need immediate medical intervention to avoid further complications.

Ovarian Torsion

Ovarian torsion is a severe medical condition when the cyst, particularly a large one, grows on the ovary and twists around the ligaments that support it. This twist leads to the risk of blocking the blood supply to the ovary, causing tissue death.

The condition can contribute to severe discomfort, including:

• Intense pain in the pelvic region
• Abnormal bleeding in the vagina
• Vomiting and nausea

This condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent further complications. In such medical emergency cases, your physician might recommend removing the cyst and untwisting the ovary through surgery after a complete evaluation.

Pressure on Other Organs

Large or giant-sized ovarian cysts generally put pressure on the surrounding organs, including the bowel or bladder. This can cause:

• A feeling of fullness in the abdomen
• The sense of urinating frequently
• Pain while urinating
• Constipation
• Vomiting and nausea

Malignancy

Although certain types of ovarian cysts have the possibility of transforming into cancerous growths, a large cyst alone does not necessarily mean it will turn into cancer.

Generally, ovarian cysts are benign tumours and can dissolve on their own. However, the chances of them transforming into ovarian cancer are very minimal, even if they are large or giant. Such conditions necessitate immediate medical attention by a gynae-oncologist after a thorough examination.

Types of Ovarian Cysts

There are two major types of ovarian cysts, each with its own potential risks and characteristics. The two major types are functional cysts and pathological cysts.

Functional Cysts

Functional cysts are one of the most common ovarian cysts in women. They are typically considered to be harmless and resolve on their own within weeks. They develop as a part of the menstrual cycle and indicate normal ovulation. Functional cysts are also referred to as simple cysts.

Sub-types of Functional Cysts:

• Follicular Cysts
  Follicular cysts develop when the follicles in the ovaries do not rupture and release an egg. This can cause the follicle to fill with fluids and form into a cyst.
• Corpus Luteum Cysts
  Corpus luteum cysts develop when the follicles fail to shrink after releasing an egg during ovulation. Instead of shrinking, these follicles fill with fluids and can increase in size, sometimes reaching up to 100 mm. While they usually resolve on their own, they may grow large enough to cause bleeding, pain, or even twist around the ovary.

Pathological Cysts

Unlike functional cysts, pathological cysts are not related to the menstrual cycle. They are less common but can pose serious health risks, including ovarian cancer.

Types of Pathological Cysts:

• Dermoid Cysts
  Dermoid cysts are benign tumors that can develop anywhere in the body, including the ovaries. These cysts often contain smooth tissue and are usually present since birth. They tend to grow slowly but have the potential to become large.
• Endometriomas
  Endometriomas are cysts filled with dark brown fluid, often developing on the ovaries. They can cause pain during sex and menstruation and are commonly referred to as chocolate cysts. Endometriomas are a common type of endometriosis.
• Cystadenomas
  Cystadenomas are benign tumors that develop on the ovaries and are filled with either water or mucus-like fluid. These cysts can grow significantly large, leading to severe discomfort.
• Ovarian Cancer Cysts
  Unlike other types of cysts, ovarian cancer cysts contain cancer cells. They are usually solid masses that require immediate medical intervention. These cysts can occur at any age but are more commonly found in postmenopausal women.

Symptoms of a Dangerous Ovarian Cyst

Most ovarian cysts generally exhibit no symptoms. They can be identified only when your physician examines your pelvic area or ultrasound scans for other reasons.

However, some normal size of ovarian cysts in mm do exhibit symptoms that may include:

• Painful or irregular menstrual cycle
• Pain during intercourse
• Frequent urination and constipation
• Unusual bleeding in the vagina
• Pelvic pain
• Obesity
• Breast tenderness
• The feeling of fullness in the abdomen
• Bloating in the abdomen
• Severe pain with fever and vomit

Causes of an Ovarian Cyst

Ovarian cysts can develop in women for various factors. Some of the common causes include:

• Follicle irregularities
• Hormonal imbalances
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Endometriosis

Apart from the above mentioned factors, other causes include:

• Genetic pre-dispositions
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Pregnancy-related cysts
• Fertility drugs
• Previous ovarian cyst

Treatment Options for Ovarian Cysts

Treatment options for ovarian cysts will typically depend on various factors such as:

• the appearance and size of the cyst
• age of the women
• symptoms

Listed below are some of the common options to treat ovarian cysts.

Watchful Waiting

Cysts that are smaller in size or cause no symptoms are generally monitored by the physician through ultrasound scans periodically.

Medications

When it comes to regulating the menstrual cycle, oral contraceptives or hormonal treatments are generally prescribed by the physician. This helps in preventing the further growth and complications of the cysts.

Surgery

A Cyst that is 20 cm ovarian cyst dangerous or larger in size is recommended for surgical interventions by the physician after thorough analysis. Such cysts can cause severe discomfort and symptoms. Surgery includes two types of procedures to treat the ovarian cysts. They are:

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure performed to remove the small and medium-sized cysts. The procedure is generally done by making a small incision in the abdomen.

Laparotomy

Laparotomy is the procedure performed to remove the large-sized cysts. The surgery is done by making a larger incision above the pubic hairline. After removing the cyst, a biopsy is done to check the presence of cancerous cells in the tumour. If tests show a positive result, further medication or surgical intervention may be recommended by the physician.