General Information About Dermoid Cysts
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
They are cystic structures formed when stem cells intended to create different organs become trapped inside a sac and grow during fetal development in the womb, which can contain skin, hair, and even teeth.
Although it can form anywhere in the body (around the eyes, brain, neck), it most frequently occurs in the ovaries of adult women.
They mostly grow slowly and cause no symptoms when small. When they grow, they cause complaints such as fullness in the lower abdomen, pain, menstrual irregularities, or frequent urination due to pressure on the bladder.
As the cyst grows, it becomes heavier and can cause the ovary to twist around its own axis (torsion). This is a severely painful emergency that cuts off the organ's blood flow, leading to necrosis (tissue death). Additionally, although rare, it carries a risk of becoming cancerous.
It is easily diagnosed during a gynecological examination using Pelvic Ultrasonography, thanks to the characteristic appearance of fat and bone (tooth) tissues inside the cyst.
Dermoid cysts do not shrink or disappear with medication. Regardless of the cyst's size, it is completely removed along with its capsule using a laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgical method, without damaging the healthy ovarian tissue.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
