Luteoma

Luteoma is a tumor that forms from the tissue of the corpus luteum of the ovary. It can be either benign or malignant.

The corpus luteum is a temporary gland that forms in the ovary after ovulation. It releases hormones that help maintain pregnancy and prepare the body for childbirth. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum disappears after a few weeks.

Luteoma can occur at any age, but most often it appears in women over 40 years of age. Symptoms of luteoma may include:

- Abdominal pain
– Increased belly size
– Nausea and vomiting
– Delayed menstruation
– Change in the nature of menstruation

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor to have luteoma diagnosed. This may require ultrasound, MRI or other tests.

Treatment for luteoma depends on its type and stage of development. If it is benign, observation or drug therapy is usually carried out. If the luteoma is malignant, then surgical removal of the tumor may be required.

In any case, you should not put off visiting a doctor, as luteoma can lead to serious consequences, such as ovarian or fallopian tube cancer.

Luteoma is a neoplasm from the tissue of the corpus luteum or vascular bodies. The exact mechanism of its formation has not yet been established. According to some data, progesterone deficiency and increased levels of androgens, which take part in the formation of ovarian follicular cysts, play an important role in the development of luteoma. However, luteoma is also considered a pseudotumor due to local necrosis of the corpus luteum of the labia minora.

In contrast to cystadenofibrous cystoma, ovarian cystoma affects predominantly women of reproductive age with an increased risk of tumor growth due to genetic factors. Luteomas extremely rarely reach gigantic sizes. Usually they grow gradually, the size is up to 6–8 cm, and sometimes up to 20 cm. The formation is characterized by a uniform increase in all directions. The walls of the luteoma are usually thin and do not show signs of calcification. Such data may be a sign of malignancy.

For diagnosis, ultrasound, laparoscopy (the best method), and puncture of “cold” formations are used. After puncture, Markevich's dye, a solution of methylene blue or collargol are injected inside, which makes it possible to distinguish endometrial cysts, tumors of the decidua of the uterus, fibrous tumors of the ovaries from luteomas (supra-ovarian position).

The traditional method of treatment is resection of the ovary with luteoma or drainage of the abdominal cavity to reduce the pressure inside the cyst and subsequent histological examination. If one of the ovaries is affected, bilateral adnexectomy or functional hormonal therapy is performed, aimed at reducing the size of the tumor. In some cases, hormonal therapy with estrogens and progestins is also used when the function of the opposite ovary is preserved. However, such treatment has a beneficial effect only on the symptoms of the disease. In case of a malignant form, radical surgery is indicated.