Posted by: nbaground on: January 25, 2010
Ovarian cysts are sac-like growths or structures inside an ovary. These sacs are filled up with fluid. In general, the term cyst describes a fluid-filled structure. And thus, all ovarian cysts, by definition, contain at the least some fluid.
A cyst is a fluid-filled sac, which could be located almost anywhere in the body. On or in the ovaries, different types of cysts may form. By far the most frequent, most typical type of ovarian cysts are going to be of the type called "functional cysts". Functional cysts often form over the normal monthly menstrual cycle.
Every month, the natural cycle is that a woman's ovaries will grow small cysts, each containing one of their eggs. When an egg matures, the sac containing it ruptures, releasing the egg. This happens in order that the egg can then go down the fallopian tube towards the uterus for fertilization.
Right after opening to discharge the egg, the sac then dissolves. In the case with one type of functional cyst, called a "follicular cyst", the cyst sac does not break and launch the egg. Then it might just keep on growing. Follicular cysts usually go away on their own within 1 to 3 months.
An ovarian cyst is, simply speaking, a collection of fluid within a sac within the usually more or less solid ovary. There are many different kinds of ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts are a very common gynecologic problem. These kinds of cysts are very rarely linked to cancer.
Uterine fibroids, also referred to as leiomyomata or myomas, are benign (noncancerous) tumors of the muscular wall of the uterus. They are the most typical tumor of the female genital tract. 1 out of every 3 women older than 35 will be affected by them.
Fibroids are labeled depending on their whereabouts within the uterine wall. Submucous (or submucosal) fibroids appear just under the endometrial lining of the uterine cavity. Intramural fibroids occur inside of the muscular wall. Subserosal fibroids occur under the exterior covering of the uterus. As fibroids grow, the distinction between the types becomes blurred.
So what is the difference between ovarian cysts and fibroid uterus? Both cysts and fibroids are undesired growths. But the fundamental difference is the fact that cysts are filled with fluid and fibroids aren't. Fibroids are more or less solid, like a fibrous mass.
Also, there are positional or locational differences here. Ovarian cysts are cysts on or near the ovaries. Uterine cysts are cysts located on, inside or near the uterus. Uterine fibroids are fibroids situated on or close to the uterus. Fortunately, it's very rare and unusual for any of these to become cancerous.
