Don't let stomach pain ruin your fertility.

Believing abdominal pain to be physiological, many teenage girls have had to have their ovaries removed, losing their ability to reproduce due to large, twisted, or cancerous ovarian tumors.

Ovarian tumor surgery for children - Photo: HA TUONG

Ovarian cysts are abnormal growths of fluid-filled or cottage cheese-like tissue that develop on or inside the ovaries. They are a common condition in women, but can also occur in young children and adolescents. Most cases progress silently, without obvious symptoms, leading patients to underestimate the problem.

Abdominal pain and unusual abdominal distension due to a tumor occupying the entire abdominal cavity.

Patient D.MA (13 years old) was admitted to the hospital due to lower abdominal pain, abnormal abdominal distension, and irregular menstruation. Clinical examination revealed a large mass in the lower abdomen.

Ultrasound and CT scan results showed a cystic tumor in the right ovary, with thin walls, approximately 100 cm in size.

Measuring 18-20cm, the tumor contained fluid, grew upwards into the abdominal cavity, and occupied almost the entire pelvic cavity. Doctors assessed the tumor as having a high risk of dangerous complications such as rupture or compression of neighboring organs, and even the potential for cancer...

Dr. Tô Thị Kim Quy, Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, and Dr. Trần Thị Diệu Anh, also from the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Bãi Cháy Hospital, Quảng Ninh , performed laparoscopic surgery to remove the tumor while preserving healthy ovarian tissue.

During the surgery, a very large ovarian tumor was observed in the right ovary, extensively adhered to the omentum, pelvic wall, and adjacent structures. The large tumor occupied almost the entire surgical field, making manipulation difficult. The surgeon meticulously detached the adhesions, aspirated approximately 1,500 ml of fluid from the tumor to reduce its size, and then thoroughly dissected the tumor while preserving as much healthy ovarian tissue as possible.

Unlike A., the Bac Quang Regional General Hospital in Tuyen Quang province recently admitted a 16-year-old patient who presented with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and extreme fatigue. An ultrasound revealed a twisted ovarian cyst in the right ovary, cutting off blood supply to the ovary.

The patient underwent emergency laparoscopic surgery by the obstetrics and gynecology team. However, because the right ovary had already necrotized, the doctors were forced to remove one ovary to avoid the risk of infection and more serious complications.

Dr. Hoang Thi Huong, the lead surgeon at this hospital, shared: "This is a very unfortunate case because the patient arrived late. If detected early and treated promptly, we could have completely preserved the ovary. For young women, regular check-ups are extremely important for early detection of ovarian cysts."

This type of fetal teratoma causes significant harm.

Dr. Kim Quy stated that some children are found to have ovarian cysts right from birth, even in the womb. The causes may include: ovarian cyst stem cells already present in the mother's body being passed to the child during pregnancy; maternal endocrine disorders or gynecological diseases that can cause ovarian cysts in the child during pregnancy; the fetus developing from abnormal ovarian follicles; and an unbalanced diet leading to sudden weight gain and premature puberty.

Dr. Dieu Anh emphasized that it is noteworthy that many pediatric patients, like patient A., come to the hospital with very large tumors (almost 20cm) that have been developing silently for a long time without being detected early.

Large ovarian cysts can cause many dangerous complications, compressing surrounding organs such as the bladder and rectum, leading to symptoms like frequent urination, persistent constipation, poor appetite, etc., affecting health and quality of life.

When ovarian tumors become complicated by torsion, it can cause ovarian necrosis; rupture can lead to bleeding and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, resulting in peritonitis, abdominal infection, and life-threatening conditions. Many cases of ovarian tumors are detected at a late stage, requiring the removal of one ovary, affecting future fertility.

Especially in young children, the ovaries are not only involved in reproductive function but also play a crucial role in endocrine and physical development. Therefore, the principle of treatment is to prioritize preserving as much healthy ovarian tissue as possible.

A 14-year-old girl has an ovarian tumor weighing over 4kg - Photo: Provided by the hospital.

Impact on reproductive health

Dr. Duong Ngoc Van from Medlatec General Hospital warns that ovarian dermoid cysts (teratomas) are a type of benign cyst that appears in the ovaries. However, if the cyst grows large, it can affect the patient's reproductive health.

Dr. Vân explained that the ovaries are a vital female reproductive organ, where healthy eggs are stored and nurtured, waiting for the day they mature for fertilization and pregnancy.

The ovaries are located in the pelvic wall and consist of two fused chambers situated on either side of the uterus. Besides nourishing the eggs, the ovaries are also endocrine organs, producing important sex hormones such as progesterone and estrogen.

In some cases, differentiated stem cells appear in the ovaries and continue to multiply, forming benign tumors. These tumors are then called ovarian dermoid tumors or ovarian teratomas, and are composed of sebaceous gland tissue, bone, hair, or skin.

Ovarian dermoid cysts can appear in one or both ovaries; cases occurring in both ovaries are usually more severe and significantly affect reproductive health. Anyone can develop this condition, but women in their 20s and 30s are most commonly affected. All women should have regular gynecological checkups to prevent this condition.

The girl is experiencing severe lower abdominal pain and needs to go to the hospital immediately.

Ovarian cysts are a common gynecological condition affecting women of all ages, from adolescent girls to postmenopausal women, impacting their health, daily life, quality of life, and fertility. 90% of ovarian cysts are benign (rarely cancerous), while 10% develop into malignant tumors. Ovarian cysts in young women have a relatively high risk of malignancy.

Therefore, if a girl exhibits symptoms such as severe, persistent lower abdominal pain or cramping in the lower abdomen accompanied by fever and vomiting, unusual abdominal distension, or a palpable mass in the abdomen, she should be taken to a specialized medical facility for examination.

HA TUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dung-de-dau-bung-lam-mat-kha-nang-sinh-san-20260521060515131.htm