Cancer Ovarian Cancer Can an Ovarian Cyst Be Cancerous? Print By Nicole Galan, RN | Medically reviewed by Meredith Shur, MD Updated October 27, 2016 More in Cancer Ovarian Cancer Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Living With Support & Coping Prevention Bladder Cancer Brain Tumors Breast Cancer Symptoms Treatment Leukemia Lung Cancer More Cancer Types Cervical Cancer Childhood Cancer Colon Cancer Gastric Cancer Head & Neck Cancer Liver Cancer Lymphoma Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Skin Cancer Testicular Cancer Thyroid Cancer View All While rare, certain types of ovarian cysts may be cancerous. Ovarian cysts are very commonly found in women who have polycystic ovary syndrome and are, in fact, one of the defining characteristics of the disease. However, women who don’t have PCOS can also get ovarian cysts. Every month, a single egg follicle develops in the ovary and eventually releases the egg in a process known as ovulation. Sometimes, ovulation will not occur and the follicle will continue to grow larger and larger as the fluid builds up inside it. Most of the time, this fluid will eventually reabsorb into the body and the cyst will disappear on its own. In fact, many women don’t even know that they have (or have had) an ovarian cyst. There are rare types of cysts which are, in fact, ovarian cancer. These cysts tend to have solid matter extending into the center of the cyst. Whenever solid tissue is seen in an ovarian cyst, your doctor will probably want to evaluate it by surgically removing it and performing a biopsy. While most of the time these cysts will be benign (non-cancerous), they may still require treatment or removal. If you start having symptoms like pelvic pain or discomfort, your doctor may want to check to see if you have an ovarian cyst. This can be done through a pelvic exam, where the doctor can actually feel the ovary to see if there is a cyst there, or by looking at the ovaries with an ultrasound. On an ultrasound, he can tell whether the cyst is mostly fluid or if there is solid tissue inside. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Email Address Sign Up There was an error. Please try again. Thank you, , for signing up. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Continue Reading