Treatment of ovarian endometrial cystsin thecontext of recurrence and fertility

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This paper reviews surgical and pharmacologic treatments for ovarian endometriomas, emphasizing fertility preservation, recurrence prevention, and management based on cyst size, patient age, and childbearing desires.

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This 2019 narrative review examines management of ovarian endometrial cysts (endometriomas), focusing on recurrent disease and fertility-sparing approaches, with emphasis on surgical versus pharmacologic strategies. It concludes that surgery is the primary option, with the most effective procedures described as radical excision including adhesiolysis, cyst and capsule removal, and any remaining endometriotic foci, while noting that small asymptomatic cysts—especially in women older than 35—should generally not be treated surgically. For recurrence prevention, the review highlights unilateral oophorectomy with preservation of the contralateral ovary in selected patients, and states pharmacotherapy has a limited role, mainly when diffuse endometriosis with pain is present, but it does not provide new comparative trial data. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically treatment of ovarian endometriomas in the context of recurrence and fertility.

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Abstract

An approach to ovarian endometrial cysts has changed considerably during recent years, especially in regard to treatment of recurrent endometriosis, fertility sparing and infertility management. Surgical treatment is the primary therapeutic option. The most efficient types of treatment are radical procedures involving adhesiolysis, removal of the cyst along with its capsule and any remaining endometriotic foci. However, small asymptomatic cysts should not be treated surgically, especially in patients older than 35 years. Surgical treatment can be considered in infertile women and those who failed to get pregnant despite 1-1.5 years of trials, as well as in cases in which in vitro fertilization is not an option. Also large cysts, with more than 4 cm in diameter, should be treated surgically due to the risk of their rupture or torsion. The most efficient preventive measure for recurrent ovarian endometriosis is unilateral oophorectomy with sparing the contralateral ovary. Such a procedure should be considered in women who are no longer interested in childbearing or present with another endometriotic cyst in the same ovary. The role of pharmacotherapy is fairly limited; it should be considered in patients in whom diffuse endometriosis is associated with pain. Therapeutic agents from the following groups can be used: estrogen-progestin preparation, gestagens, including progesteronereleasing intrauterine systems and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. Women with infertility should get pregnant as soon as possible, and in patients who failed to get pregnant and/or are older than 35 years, in vitro fertilization should be the treatment of choice.
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Abstract

An approach to ovarian endometrial cysts has changed considerably during recent years, especially in regard to treatment of recurrent endometriosis, fertility sparing and infertility management. Surgical treatment is the primary therapeutic option. The most efficient types of treatment are radical procedures involving adhesiolysis, removal of the cyst along with its capsule and any remaining endometriotic foci. However, small asymptomatic cysts should not be treated surgically, especially in patients older than 35 years. Surgical treatment can be considered in infertile women and those who failed to get pregnant despite 1–1.5 years of trials, as well as in cases in which in vitro fertilization is not an option. Also large cysts, with more than 4 cm in diameter, should be treated surgically due to the risk of their rupture or torsion. The most efficient preventive measure for recurrent ovarian endometriosis is unilateral oophorectomy with sparing the contralateral ovary. Such a procedure should be considered in women who are no longer interested in childbearing or present with another endometriotic cyst in the same ovary. The role of pharmacotherapy is fairly limited; it should be considered in patients in whom diffuse endometriosis is associated with pain. Therapeutic agents from the following groups can be used: estrogen-progestin preparation, gestagens, including progesteronereleasing intrauterine systems and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. Women with infertility should get pregnant as soon as possible, and in patients who failed to get pregnant and/or are older than 35 years, in vitro fertilization should be the treatment of choice. Key words endometriosis, pharmacotherapy, surgical treatment, endometrioma

References

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Ovarian Cysts Ovariectomy Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Female Humans Infertility, Female Laparoscopy Neoplasm Recurrence, Local Ovarian Cysts Ovarian Cysts Ovarian Cysts Pregnancy

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