Women who do not normally experience menstrual cramps and then have painful menstrual periods may be in danger. Stating that the pain may be a harbinger of chocolate cyst (endometriosis), experts emphasize the possibility that these untreated cysts may result in many negative consequences, especially infertility.
In this disease, which is popularly known as chocolate cyst, which occurs when the gland tissue that forms the inner part of the uterus and provides menstrual bleeding hangs outside the uterus, wherever the inner membrane layer of the uterus settles, it holds that organ and can cause various negative conditions in that organ. Stating that this can sometimes be the ovary, sometimes the abdominal cavity, intestines, bladder, lung and even the brain, experts emphasize that these organs where the cyst is located can cause serious problems, the disease can progress without symptoms, and women should definitely do routine checks.
Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Perinatologist Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kumru informed that the blood that needs to be expelled during menstruation goes backwards through the tubes and spreads from here to the abdominal cavity, intestines and ovaries, “It is thought that the live endometrial cells in this blood settle in the organ they go to and continue to grow there. It is possible that chocolate cysts (endometriosis) may be seen more frequently in those with heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged and frequent menstruation. In such a case, a physician should be consulted immediately. Treatment is possible, but it is a disease that cannot be neglected.”
“Definitive diagnosis is made with closed surgery”
Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kumru stated that the important symptoms of the disease include severe menstrual cramps that occur later, pain during sexual activity or defecation, swelling and fullness in the abdomen, as well as persistent groin pain, and that women who want to become pregnant but cannot conceive (infertile) require further examination for chocolate cysts or endometriosis. Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kumru stated that ultrasonographic examination is mainly performed, but laparoscopy (closed surgery) or laparotomy (by opening the abdomen) methods are essential for the exact diagnosis and to differentiate between simple cysts or other cystic structures and chocolate cysts. Kumru said, “The cyst should be removed and sent to pathology, and the endometrium gland (gland) and stroma structures lining the inside of the uterus should be seen in the materials sent to pathology. During laparoscopy, it can also be understood whether the fluid given through the cervix passes through the tubes (i.e. whether the tubes are open).”
“Definitive diagnosis is made with closed surgery”
Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kumru stated that the important symptoms of the disease include severe menstrual cramps that occur later, pain during sexual activity or defecation, swelling and fullness in the abdomen, as well as persistent groin pain, and that women who want to become pregnant but cannot conceive (infertile) require further examination for chocolate cysts or endometriosis. Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kumru stated that ultrasonographic examination is mainly performed, but laparoscopy (closed surgery) or laparotomy (by opening the abdomen) methods are essential for the exact diagnosis and to differentiate between simple cysts or other cystic structures and chocolate cysts. Kumru said, “The cyst should be removed and sent to pathology, and the endometrium gland (gland) and stroma structures lining the inside of the uterus should be seen in the materials sent to pathology. During laparoscopy, it can also be understood whether the fluid given through the cervix passes through the tubes (i.e. whether the tubes are open).”
“There may be a risk of cancer”
Kumru stated that chocolate cysts are known as non-cancerous cysts that do not contain bad cells, but recent information indicates that there are some genetic changes in the endometrial cells in chocolate cysts that predispose to cancer and therefore these cysts may cause cancer, and underlined that ovarian cancers are more common in people with chocolate cysts than in the normal population. Kumru emphasized that cases of chocolate cysts without surgery should be managed very carefully.
Treatment of chocolate cyst
Stating that the treatment is very diverse, Selahattin Kumru said that this process is managed individually. Kumru stated that surgical intervention or drug treatment is applied according to the condition of the cyst or the patient's complaint, and that the physician will decide this. He once again emphasized the importance of regular check-ups.
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