Follow-up of small, postmenopausal ovarian cysts using vaginal ultrasound and CA-125 antigen

To determine the natural history of small, simple ovarian cysts in postmenopausal women, 51 postmenopausal patients with small (<5 cm), smooth, aseptate, hypoechogenic ovarian cysts, without ascites, were followed by vaginal ultrasound examinations every 3 months for an average period of 2.5 years. In 34, CA-125 antigen was measured and found to be within normal limits. None of the cysts showed changes in texture, nor did ascites appear. The CA-125 antigen serum levels remained low. The mean size of the cysts decreased with time. There was no statistically significant correlation between the initial size of the cyst, its tendency to grow or shrink, and the absolute CA-125 serum level. Our findings support the option of a conservative follow-up by repeated ultrasonic and CA-125 antigen examinations of small, simple cysts in postmenopausal women.