Gynecology

Ovarian Masses

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Ovarian cysts or masses can often be removed via laparoscopy, a surgical technique using several tiny incisions in the abdomen to do the operation. Sometimes, if the cyst is quite large, or if a woman is older, it is better to do the operation through a larger abdominal incision. Often just the cyst or mass can be removed, leaving the ovary in place, but sometimes it is necessary to remove the entire ovary. If an ovary is removed, the other remaining ovary will take over the function for both ovaries, so periods and fertility generally aren't affected.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 28, 2008