Dermoid Cysts

A dermoid cyst can appear on anyone regardless of race, sex, age. Dermoid cysts which are found on the face, scalp or neck, are usually present and detectable from birth. Likewise dermoid cysts in the ovary obviously appear only in women.

Totipotential germ cells can develop into a complex ovarian cyst known as a dermoid cyst. These cysts can contain solid tissue such as hair, teeth, or bone, and can develop at any age, although in females they usually develop at the ages of 20 to 40. When dermoid cysts cut off the circulation to ovaries, they cause intense pain that requires surgical removal. These cysts can also develop on a person’s face, neck, or scalp.

A dermoid cyst in an ovary is usually a mature teratoma that is benign. Dermoids are fairly common in women over the age of 40 years. Dermoid cysts are rarely cancerous though they make up about one half of all benign ovarian tumors. About 1 to 2 percent of dermoid cysts are cancerous.

The early stages of a dermoid cyst determine whether or not it will eventually lead to cancer. In general, dermoid cysts are not often cancerous — cancerous dermoid cysts are labeled as immature teratomas. There is little to no chance of a dermoid cyst that has generated hair, muscle fibers or other matter becoming cancerous.

A typical dermoid cyst is asymptomatic but can normally be found during a routine pelvic exam. They are seen as growths on an ovary, sometimes twisting themselves or rupturing, both which can cause severe pain in the abdominal or pelvic area.

When dermoid cysts are found in the ovaries, it is often best to have them surgically removed to avoid future complications. The irritation of the abdominal cavity, called peritonitis, is very painful and likely if the dermoid cyst keeps growing.

The most common and telling symptom is abdominal or pelvic pain, which may indicate an ovarian cyst that is either bursting or twisting. In this case, the ovarian cyst is usually surgically removed. A dermoid cyst can only be identified as such as by a doctor and does not usually present any symptoms different from any other type of ovarian cyst.

Dermoid cysts, like other types of complex ovarian cysts, should be monitored. All women should be aware of the symptoms of ovarian cysts, and check with their doctors whenever they experience these symptoms.

The removal of a dermoid cyst does not affect a woman’s fertility nor does it have any complications during a pregnancy. Nevertheless, individuals must take care of themselves after surgery in order to prevent the formation of scar tissue.