Of the different kinds of ovarian cysts, the most grotesque and bizarre are dermoid cysts. They're classified as a non-cancerous type of teratoma. Teratoma is a Greek word and translates as "monster tumor".
It is because of its freakishness that a lot of myths about this condition have evolved. A medical decision about your health should never be based on misconceptions but rather, the facts. Here are three common questions about dermoid cysts:
1.) What are dermoid cysts?
Dermoid cysts may contain human tissue of any kind. This includes teeth, bone, nails, hair, cartilage, nerve tissue, skin, blood, fat, eyes, thyroid tissue and sweat glands.
This happens because they come from undifferentiated germ cells. These germ cells have the capacity to grow into any of the different tissues that are present in the human body.
2.) Who can be affected by dermoid cysts?
Dermoid cysts that appear on the scalp, face, or neck are very common and can affect any person, male or female. Dermoids can occur at birth. But dermoid cysts in the ovaries usually affect women between twenty years of age to about forty. They usually occur on one ovary but can happen on both ovaries about 15% of the time.
3.) What are the health risks?
Despite their dreadful appearance, dermoid cysts are rarely ever cancerous. If the cyst has distinct features such as hair, teeth, etc., there is very little chance of it becoming malignant. In addition, the rare malignancy usually happens in older women beyond the age of 40.
The health risks associated with benign dermoids are determined by their size. Small cysts are symptom free and are usually discovered during a routine check up. An MRI, ultrasound, X-ray, or CT scan may be used to diagnose the cyst as dermoid.
If the cyst gets too big, it can become inflamed. The abdominal cavity may also become irritated, a condition known as peritonitis.
More commonly, the cyst may get twisted and cut off blood flow to the ovary. A cyst may also rupture causing a release of its contents into the abdomen. Enlarged cysts may also exert pressure on and interfere with the surrounding organs.
Since a dermoid cyst will not go away on its own, surgical removal may be required if any of the above health risks present themselves. Large or small, dermoid cysts must be routinely checked by a doctor.
It is because of its freakishness that a lot of myths about this condition have evolved. A medical decision about your health should never be based on misconceptions but rather, the facts. Here are three common questions about dermoid cysts:
1.) What are dermoid cysts?
Dermoid cysts may contain human tissue of any kind. This includes teeth, bone, nails, hair, cartilage, nerve tissue, skin, blood, fat, eyes, thyroid tissue and sweat glands.
This happens because they come from undifferentiated germ cells. These germ cells have the capacity to grow into any of the different tissues that are present in the human body.
2.) Who can be affected by dermoid cysts?
Dermoid cysts that appear on the scalp, face, or neck are very common and can affect any person, male or female. Dermoids can occur at birth. But dermoid cysts in the ovaries usually affect women between twenty years of age to about forty. They usually occur on one ovary but can happen on both ovaries about 15% of the time.
3.) What are the health risks?
Despite their dreadful appearance, dermoid cysts are rarely ever cancerous. If the cyst has distinct features such as hair, teeth, etc., there is very little chance of it becoming malignant. In addition, the rare malignancy usually happens in older women beyond the age of 40.
The health risks associated with benign dermoids are determined by their size. Small cysts are symptom free and are usually discovered during a routine check up. An MRI, ultrasound, X-ray, or CT scan may be used to diagnose the cyst as dermoid.
If the cyst gets too big, it can become inflamed. The abdominal cavity may also become irritated, a condition known as peritonitis.
More commonly, the cyst may get twisted and cut off blood flow to the ovary. A cyst may also rupture causing a release of its contents into the abdomen. Enlarged cysts may also exert pressure on and interfere with the surrounding organs.
Since a dermoid cyst will not go away on its own, surgical removal may be required if any of the above health risks present themselves. Large or small, dermoid cysts must be routinely checked by a doctor.
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Searching for a good reference on PCOS and ovarian cysts? Learn about the ovarian dermoid cyst and ovarian cyst natural remedies.
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