Chocolate cysts, which are seen in 15% of women of reproductive age, are effective in 30% of women who have difficulty conceiving. These are the rates determined by the examinations. Chocolate cysts, which occur when the inner layer of the uterus settles in different areas, cause different health problems in women. Among these, there are different thoughts about whether the cysts cause cancer. Although chocolate cysts are benign, the effect of cysts located in the ovaries on ovarian cancer is still questioned.
Chocolate cyst prevents pregnancy
Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium tissue, which is inside the uterus and causes menstrual bleeding, settles in body parts outside the uterus. When this disease occurs in the ovaries, chocolate cysts form. This disease, which usually presents symptoms of chronic pain and infertility, is seen in 15% of women of reproductive age, 60% of those with severe menstrual pain, and 30% of those with pregnancy problems.
The biggest concern for women with chocolate cysts is the possibility of it turning into cancer. If chocolate cysts form in the ovaries, they can also form cancer here. However, it cannot be said for sure that chocolate cysts cause cancer. In the studies conducted on this subject, no information has been reached regarding the biological or genetic mutation for the development of ovarian cancer in patients with chocolate cysts. In other words, a cause-and-effect relationship has not been determined regarding chocolate cysts and ovarian cancer. The occurrence of chocolate cysts together with ovarian cancer may be due to the effects of certain risk factors. In women with chocolate cysts, the ratio of endometrioid and clear cell types, which are in ovarian cancers, is 1.32-1.9.
What are the factors that affect the risk of developing ovarian cancer?
A woman has a 1-2% risk of developing ovarian cancer throughout her life. This rate can vary due to different factors. These can either reduce or increase the risk of developing cancer.
In women who use birth control pills for a long time, the risk of developing cancer decreases by 40%.
Having completed the delivery period during pregnancy reduces the risk of developing cancer by 40%. This rate decreases further with each pregnancy.
Even if the ovaries are not removed for any reason, the risk of developing cancer is reduced by 50% in women who have had their uterus removed or their fallopian tubes tied.
Removing one of the ovaries does not change the risk of developing cancer.
Drugs used to stimulate the ovaries in infertility treatment are among the factors that increase the risk.
The risk of developing ovarian cancer increases in women who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
One in three women who are found to be positive for BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes are at risk of ovarian cancer.
The increasing age of a woman is considered a risk for ovarian cancer. In young women, the risk of developing cancer is low. In this age group, there is a risk of ovarian cancer in five out of every 10,000 women. It is accepted that the risk increases from the age of 60 onwards. The general idea on this subject is that chocolate cysts can be seen at any age during the reproductive years. Chocolate cysts alone can be a cause of infertility.
Chocolate cysts, or endometriosis, can be detected by chance during an examination performed for other reasons and without any complaints. The cyst, which manifests itself with pain from the groin in some women, should not always be expected to show symptoms. The disease is usually detected in women who go to the doctor with pain during sexual intercourse and menstrual periods. It should not be overlooked that women with a family history of chocolate cysts are 7 times more at risk of developing this condition.
What are the causes and symptoms of chocolate cyst?
Although a genetic problem that causes endometriosis has not been fully established, it is known to be more common in women who are genetically predisposed. These disease foci are mostly seen in the ovaries, in the Douglas cavity behind the uterus, in the last part of the vagina and intestines, on the surface of the intestines, around and on the tubes, in the ligaments that hold the uterus, and on the bladder or on the surface of the peritoneum.
These foci initiate a process caused by an inflammatory response in the areas where they are located. During the healing of this condition, adhesions occur in the surrounding tissues. This is repeated continuously during each woman's menstrual period and increases over time. Due to the damage caused by the foci settled in these areas, infertility may occur in different ways, from the transport of eggs and sperm in the tubes, to the disruption of the ovulation function of the ovaries, to the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus. In addition to the effect of infertility, various effects may occur, such as pain during sexual intercourse, painful menstrual periods and chronic groin pain. In some patients, they may progress without showing any symptoms. This disease can cause different degrees of disease in everyone. It is not known in advance what kind of result this will give. It can show very widespread and severe effects, as well as very mild effects.
Does chocolate cyst cause cancer?
Chocolate cysts are a problem that reduces the quality of life in women, but the risk of turning into cancer is quite low. In women, the sheath is shed regularly every month with menstruation if pregnancy does not occur. It restructures and prepares for the next month. As this tissue accumulates in the ovary and thickens and bleeds every month, just like in the uterus, chocolate cysts are formed, which contain a liquid similar to melted chocolate. These cysts are generally considered benign.
Is it possible to treat chocolate cysts?
There are some treatment methods to eliminate chocolate cysts and eliminate the complaints that occur. Although the treatment is surgical, some nutritional recommendations and drug therapy can be useful in the early stages of the disease. However, there is no definitive and permanent treatment for chocolate cysts yet. As long as the woman's ovaries are in place, there is always a possibility of the cysts recurring. No matter which treatment method is applied to the woman, the probability of the chocolate cyst recurring within 5 years is about 50%. In some cases, even the woman getting pregnant can help the treatment. Factors such as the woman's age and her desire to have children guide which treatment should be applied. Since surgical removal of these cysts will damage the woman's healthy ovarian tissue, women who want to get pregnant can be made to get pregnant before surgery. This is an important issue especially for women around 35 years of age. Because the egg reserve of a woman of this age has naturally decreased. Therefore, the age factor should be taken into consideration in determining the treatment.
Does having sexual intercourse during menstruation increase the risk of chocolate cysts?
There is no scientific evidence that a woman having sexual intercourse during her menstrual period will increase the activity in the fallopian tubes and cause the blood to flow in the opposite direction, namely into the abdomen, and therefore pose a risk for endometriosis.
Do women with chocolate cysts experience changes in their menstrual periods?
The incidence of endometriosis is higher in women whose menstrual bleeding starts at an early age and who have regular menstrual bleeding. In addition, women with endometriosis usually have shorter menstrual cycles. The majority of women complain of severe pain during menstrual bleeding. Therefore, women who have severe pain during their menstrual period are 4 times more likely to have endometriosis. The incidence of the disease is 2.5 times higher in women whose menstrual bleeding lasts longer than a week.
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