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Ovarian Cancer (Expert Forum)
Ovarian cytst due to ORS
Answered by
Annekathryn Goodman, M.D. - Gynecologic Cancers, Complex Gynecologic, Surgeries, Palliative Care, Acupuncture
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding ovarian cancer issues, such as: Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, Genetics, Hysterectomy,Immunotherapy, Ovarian Cancer Types, Radiation Therapy, Risk Factors, Screening, Staging, Surgery.
Ovarian cytst due to ORS
by fungirl, Jul 17, 2006 12:00AM
In April, I had my last ovary removed due to a 9cm ovarian cyst. Since then, I have been having lower abdomen pain and lower back pain. After undergoing many test to rule out other issues, I finally had a tvus done last Friday. To the tech's surprise, I have a 2.5 cm cyst but no ovaries. I have been discussing the posibility of having Ovarian Remnant Syndrome with my doctor. Now I am going to see a gyn/onc on Wednesday. My question is, if the cyst is fluid filled, then there is no way it can be cancer right? Do you run a greater risk of getting cancer with ORS? Thank you for any advice that you can give me.
Doctor's Answer
by Annekathryn Goodman, M.D., Jul 17, 2006 12:00AM
, Jul 17, 2006 12:00AM
Hello,
The 2.5 cm cyst seen on transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) could be a retained ovary with a cyst in it. It could also be a small fluid collection between some adhesions. One possible test you could get to sort this out is a blood test to check for ovarian hormone secretion (that would be estrogen, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone)). Of course if you are through the menopause, these hormone tests would be low even with a cyst.
It is not possible to make a diagnosis of malignancy or non-malignancy based on an ultrasound. There are certain ultrasound properties that are associated with a malignant cyst on the ovary. These properties include: size greater than 5 cm, complexity of the cyst, and solid elements within the cyst.
I do not think a retained ovary in an of itself causes a predisposition to malignancy. For women who have a strong family history of ovarian cancer, or who have had ovarian cancer themselves, there is a risk of malignant change in an ovarian remnant. Otherwise, there is no increased risk over the general population.
The 2.5 cm cyst seen on transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) could be a retained ovary with a cyst in it. It could also be a small fluid collection between some adhesions. One possible test you could get to sort this out is a blood test to check for ovarian hormone secretion (that would be estrogen, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone)). Of course if you are through the menopause, these hormone tests would be low even with a cyst.
It is not possible to make a diagnosis of malignancy or non-malignancy based on an ultrasound. There are certain ultrasound properties that are associated with a malignant cyst on the ovary. These properties include: size greater than 5 cm, complexity of the cyst, and solid elements within the cyst.
I do not think a retained ovary in an of itself causes a predisposition to malignancy. For women who have a strong family history of ovarian cancer, or who have had ovarian cancer themselves, there is a risk of malignant change in an ovarian remnant. Otherwise, there is no increased risk over the general population.
best wishes