From my experience of having a 9cm ovarian cyst, I had to go through all the ultra sounds and MRI. My worse case scenario was removing that ovary with the cyst, The plan was going to have laparoscopic surgery (keyhole) and decide when they get in there whether to remove the ovary or not, after the MRI they said they could keep my ovary if I was to laparotomy instead. Which of course I went for because i haven't had children yet and I'd rather keep both if I can. The laparotomy I had was a bikini line incision about 4/5inches. My doctor told me if it's less than 4cm they see if they go on their own and just monitor it, but if they are 6+ then surgery is usually the case. I Hope this helps :)