Ovarian cysts are a quite common problem, but a lot of women make the mistake of assuming they can’t get them after menopause. This is actually not true and while post menopausal ovarian cysts are quite rare, they are a possibility and women need to be aware of this. There are a few different types of ovarian cysts that can develop, including the post menopausal ovarian cysts which are experienced by women after menopause. While the post menopausal ovarian cysts are rarer than other types, they are considered as being the most dangerous and important to treat.

If a cyst is found, the next step is usually to have a sonogram which is going to help doctors determine whether the cyst is benign or malignant. Benign tumors are those which are not considered to be dangerous while malignant cysts are suspicious for cancer. Regardless of the cause of the cyst, proper treatment must be taken right away if the cyst is thought to be suspicious for cancer. Doctors must determine treatment based on a particular case, because each woman and situation is very different.

In most cases when there are post menopausal ovarian cysts that seem suspicious, surgery is opted for by doctors. Doctors must act right away because if the cysts are malignant and are left they could develop into cancer at an alarming rate. In the most serious cases doctors may have to remove the entire ovary, and again it all depends on the particular situation and how large the cyst has become. In some women if the entire ovary has been destroyed by the cyst the doctor will go ahead and just remove the entire ovary.

This makes the surgery more invasive but ensures the best success. When there is a risk of a woman developing ovarian cancer, doctors try to do everything they can to make sure this doesn’t happen. Again the decision on treatment will be determined from one patient to the next rather than generally. In the worst cases where cancer has developed, other treatment must be sought.

Chemotherapy and radiation are the two most commonly relied on surgeries for treating ovarian cancer. Chemotherapy is often used to treat ovarian cancer, which involves drugs injected into an IV or given orally. The drugs kill off the cancer cells but also some of the normal, healthy cells. Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and can be quite effective.