How long can you live with advanced chocolate cysts?

How long can a late-stage chocolate cyst last? The ovaries are the most common site of endometriosis. After endometrial implantation occurs in the ovaries, in addition to the appearance of purple-brown spots and vesicles on the surface of the ovaries and in their cortex, the ectopic tissues in the ovaries may also form single or multiple cysts due to repeated bleeding during menstruation and inability to be discharged, namely endometriosis cysts.

Because the cyst contains dark brown sticky old blood, which looks like melted chocolate, it is generally called "chocolate cyst". Chocolate cysts grow from small to large, with a maximum diameter of 25 cm. Under the influence of ovarian hormones, the ectopic endometrial tissue in the cyst also bleeds periodically. This repetitive process causes excessive pressure in the cyst cavity, and small cracks may appear in the cyst wall with a small amount of blood oozing out. However, the cracks are healed by the local peritoneal inflammation and tissue fibrosis caused by the exudate. Over time, the cyst is tightly adhered to the surrounding intestines, uterus and parauterine tissues, so that the cyst is fixed in the pelvic cavity and cannot move. Therefore, tight adhesion to the surrounding tissues is one of the characteristics of chocolate cysts.

The dense adhesion and poor mobility of chocolate cysts need to be distinguished from malignant ovarian tumors. Patients with chocolate cysts often have symptoms such as heavy menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and anal swelling. The course of the disease is long and the general condition of the patient is good. During gynecological examination, especially triple examination, painful nodules can be felt in the uterosacral ligament and the uterine rectal fossa, and the patient is in unbearable pain during the examination; while the general condition of patients with ovarian cancer is poor, the course of the disease is short, and irregular nodules can be felt in the uterine rectal fossa, but the pain is generally not severe. Of course, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the two by pelvic examination alone. Finally, laparoscopy and cyst puncture may be required to confirm the diagnosis.

It should be emphasized that the chocolate-like fluid in the ovarian chocolate cyst is generally thicker. If the fluid in the cyst is thinner, you should be alert, as this is often a manifestation of ovarian tumor bleeding or malignant transformation of the chocolate cyst. In addition, chocolate cysts have no effect on life expectancy, but they are very easy to recur, so you must choose a good treatment method.