Abstract: Simple ovarian cysts in postmenopausal women: scope of conservative management

Simple ovarian cysts in postmenopausal women: scope of conservative management:
Publication year: 2012
Source: European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Available online 15 February 2012
Abstract:

Objective
This study was done to evaluate/investigate the natural history of simple ovarian cysts in postmenopausal women and to determine the risk for malignant transformation of these cysts.
Study design
Ultrasound reports of all the postmenopausal women who attended St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, USA from January 1997 to April 2010 with an ultrasound diagnosis of simple cysts of ovary were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 619 patients with 743 simple ovarian cysts were evaluated. It was found that 305 out of 619 patients (49.27%) were lost in follow-up. Therefore, 314 patients (50.73%) with 378 cysts could be followed further by ultrasound study.
Results
One hundred and seventy-five (46.30%) of the 378 cysts that could be followed further had spontaneous resolution and 166 cysts (43.91%) persisted unchanged over the follow-up period. Thirty cysts (7.94%) turned into complex cysts and four cysts (1.06%) significantly increased in size. One cyst significantly decreased in size, though it did not resolve. Only one patient developed papillary serous carcinoma (high grade) of the ovary. This occurred three years after her last ultrasound for simple cyst surveillance.
Conclusion
Simple ovarian cysts during the menopause can be followed conservatively because their risk for malignant transformation is low. The majority of these cysts either resolve spontaneously or persist unaltered on follow-up.

Medscape article: Simple Cysts and Ovarian Cancer Risk

Reuters Health Information (2010-02-02): Simple ovarian cysts not linked to cancer in postmenopausal women

"Women with and without simple cysts were at similar risk of invasive ovarian cancer after nearly 8 years of follow-up evaluation, the authors write. Furthermore, traditional ovarian cancer risk factors, such as increasing age, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, nulliparity, and infertility, were not associated with simple cysts. Finally, changes in average CA-125 were not correlated with increases in the number or progression of simple cysts.Thus, Dr. Greenlee and his group conclude, "Simple cysts are not likely cancer precursors or markers of increased risk and can be followed conservatively.""