A cross-sectional study on the clinicopathological profile of ovarian cysts in a tertiary care hospital in Chengalpet district, Tamil Nadu

Background: Ovarian cysts are frequently encountered in Gynaecological practice, presenting a diverse range of histopathological profiles. Understanding their clinicopathological characteristics is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management. There is a paucity of region-specific data on the clinicopathological profile of ovarian cysts, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas of India. Understanding the epidemiological and pathological patterns of ovarian cysts in these regions is essential for developing targeted screening programs and improving healthcare delivery. This study aims for a comprehensive analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics of ovarian cysts and the possible risk factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Chengalpet District, Tamil Nadu during the period from January 2023 to December 2024. Outcome measures include prevalence and distribution of ovarian cysts based on age groups, clinical presentation and symptomatology, histopathological types and their relative frequencies, correlation between clinical and histopathological findings. Results: Ovarian cysts are most common in women aged 41-50 years and 31-40 age group. AUB is the most common presenting symptom, followed by pain. Dysmenorrhea and pain with a palpable mass are less common but significant, especially in cases of endometriotic cysts. Benign cysts, such as haemorrhagic corpus luteum and benign serous cystadenoma, are the most common. Malignant cysts, such as high-grade serous carcinoma, are rare. Most cysts are unilateral and smaller than 5 cm, but larger cysts (≥10 cm) are not uncommon. The right ovary is slightly more frequently involved than the left. The type of cyst influences the clinical presentation. Conclusion: The study highlights that specific cyst types present with distinct clinical manifestations haemorrhagic corpus luteum and benign serous cystadenoma were more frequently associated with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and pain, while endometriotic cysts were significantly linked to dysmenorrhea.