Can ovarian cysts become cancerous?

This page tells you about ovarian cysts and whether they can become cancerous. There is information about

 
 

Ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are very common. They are fluid filled swellings on the surface of the ovary. You can get them both before and after the menopause, but they are more common in younger women. You can have one or more cysts on one ovary (unilateral) or on both ovaries (bilateral).

Most cysts are not cancerous (benign) and have a very low risk of turning into cancer. Many studies have looked at the best way to treat ovarian cysts. In the past, surgery to remove the cyst was the choice of treatment. But studies show that regular monitoring of the cyst, using ultrasound scan and blood tests, is possible for most women.

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Tests to check for ovarian cancer

If you have an ovarian cyst you may have regular blood tests to check for a protein called CA125. This protein is normally found in the blood but levels can rise in women with ovarian cancer. This is not a specific test for cancer, as CA 125 can rise due to other conditions, including

  • Ovarian cysts
  • Pelvic or abdominal infection
  • Endometriosis - a condition where the lining of the womb (endometrium) grows outside the body of the womb
  • Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
  • Pregnancy
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UK guidelines for ovarian cysts

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have guidelines for doctors to follow when treating women who have had their menopause and who have ovarian cysts. They recommend that doctors monitor these women using the CA125 test and ultrasound scan. But this can vary depending on

  • The size of the cysts
  • What they look like on a scan and
  • Whether they change over time

The guidelines say the risk of developing cancer is very low if you have small cysts on one ovary (less than 5 cm wide). More than half these cysts will disappear on their own within 3 months. The RCOG advise a follow up ultrasound scan 4 months after the cysts have gone. Unfortunately, at the moment, there are no similar guidelines for women with ovarian cysts who have not yet had their menopause.

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