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MRI and blood tests to determine if benign/malignant?
I am 24 yrs old and recently had my first pap/pelvic exam where they found a possible mass. Went to an ob/gyn specialist and he did another exam and two ultrasounds - one vaginal, one on top of my stomach. He thinks its a dermoid because the ultrasound picked up hair and calcite and some "white specks". It was softball sized and blocked his view of my right ovary and uterus. So he's not sure exactly where it was located, and said if it was in the ovary, he'd think "one thing" and if in the uterus he'd think "another thing." He didn't want to specify what "things." He did blood work (not sure what tests) and scheduled me for an MRI next week. He said those will help him determine if the dermoid is benign. I was told to prepare for surgery by the end of the month. From everything I have read in this forum and elsewhere, it is impossible to predict if a tumor is benign or malignant until it is taken out and biopsied. Does anyone know how an MRI and bloodwork can show this? Also, what "things" was he talking about? I'm not afraid of surgery - just the unknown.
As far as I know dermoids are benign, but they don't go away by themselves so they'll have to remove it. It's like an egg tried to develop all by itself without being fertilized, but all it knew how to make was hair and teeth. Wierd.
I bet the "other things" he is consider are probably fibroids, also benign, or endometriosis. Endo doesn't show on ultrasounds, but if it makes a cyst called an Endometrioma that will show up. All that stuff is benign but endo can cause lots of unpleasant symptoms and create long-term issues for you.
If the CA125 (the probable blood test) comes back high don't let it scare you too much, the cyst can cause it to go up.
You'll know for sure once the cyst is removed. Even though your cyst is probably benign, don't let the fear of surgery tempt you to ignore it or postpone your surgery. It's important that the drs get it out and analyze it.
I bet the "other things" he is consider are probably fibroids, also benign, or endometriosis. Endo doesn't show on ultrasounds, but if it makes a cyst called an Endometrioma that will show up. All that stuff is benign but endo can cause lots of unpleasant symptoms and create long-term issues for you.
If the CA125 (the probable blood test) comes back high don't let it scare you too much, the cyst can cause it to go up.
You'll know for sure once the cyst is removed. Even though your cyst is probably benign, don't let the fear of surgery tempt you to ignore it or postpone your surgery. It's important that the drs get it out and analyze it.
Well I did some more reading online and I think I may have found an answer to my own question. I guess the MRI can pick up lactate and coline and the dr can use those levels to help determine if it is benign or malignant. From what I gather...
increased lactate + increased coline = malignant
increased lactate + decreased coline = likely malignant
decreased lactate + increased coline = likely benign
Anyone else understand things this way?
increased lactate + increased coline = malignant
increased lactate + decreased coline = likely malignant
decreased lactate + increased coline = likely benign
Anyone else understand things this way?
Welcome to the Forum Fae!
A dermod, especially one that has developed hair and bone matter (the calcite) is one of the few cysts that can be determined to a fair degree preop! That's why the MRI. The bloodwork will include the CA125 test which can, sometimes, be elevated from normal (65, recent new value) if certain cancer antigens are present. Problem is, the test also tends to show an elevated level due to infection or endometriosis. It is just another test your Dr. will do ahead of time to help plan the surgery. I had a dermoid and they are more common in young women like yourself, so I was flattered in a strange way as I am 48. Mine was only around 2 inches big, yours sounds larger. But not as large as a dermoid can get as there are women here who have had huge dermoids removed! Glad to meet you Fae and drop into Cyber Party! Mary V
A dermod, especially one that has developed hair and bone matter (the calcite) is one of the few cysts that can be determined to a fair degree preop! That's why the MRI. The bloodwork will include the CA125 test which can, sometimes, be elevated from normal (65, recent new value) if certain cancer antigens are present. Problem is, the test also tends to show an elevated level due to infection or endometriosis. It is just another test your Dr. will do ahead of time to help plan the surgery. I had a dermoid and they are more common in young women like yourself, so I was flattered in a strange way as I am 48. Mine was only around 2 inches big, yours sounds larger. But not as large as a dermoid can get as there are women here who have had huge dermoids removed! Glad to meet you Fae and drop into Cyber Party! Mary V
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