12 cm complex cyst on right ovary after hysterectomy

Question

Thank god for this forum! Here's the scoop:
32 years old, hysterectomy October 2005. I now have a 12 cm complex cyst hanging off my right ovary via thin piece of tissue. It's sitting on my bladder. It took months of me complaining to several doctors and getting the brush off and many meds for several different diseases to find this out.

Anyways, CA-125 came back level 24, within normal. Is the CA-125 fool proof? How reliable is it? I'm seeing a gynecologist in a few days. I'm not sure what questions to ask her. Are complex cysts of this size generally surgically removed? I'm not opposed to surgery as I've been living on Naproxen and not much else for months, due to pain. I just don't want to get the run around by yet another doctor.

For those who had surgery; is it generally booked and performed fairly soon after discovery?

Also, the ultrasound showed this cyst had 3 compartments or sections. Is this common?

I'm having many symptoms; big tummy, loss of appetite, feeling full, back pain, lots of heartburn/indigestion, fatigue...same symptoms as pregnancy except with pain.

Gatsby · Answer

Hi and welcome to the forum.  The ca125 is not a reliable test in pre menopausal women.  Ovarian cysts can cause all of the symptoms that you are having.  Although 99% of ovarian cysts are benign, you are wise in seeking medical attention.  You should get a 2nd opinion from a gyn/onc.  Not because of cancer, but because they are specialists and have seen everything.  A cyst as large as yours can be pressing on other organs causing you the heartburn, fullness, and other gi problems.  Also bloating and nausea can occur due to the disruptions in your hormone levels.  Please seek the 2nd opinion if you haven't already.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed
~Tascha

GeekyMom · Answer

Please keep us posted.

RavenLady · Answer

Welcome to the forum Punkin.  Boy, have you ever had the major run-around!  You should have been sent to the GYN first off!  So will this be the first time you have seen a GYN?  I am 48 and only had about six weeks from when the cyst was discovered (actually turned out to be two of them-benign)till I had them and the ovary removed.  And yes, surgical removal is in order.  However, keep in mind that although most are benign, there is no conclusive test to indicate malignent or benign pre-op.  That is why you hear so many women here advising everyone to see an GYN/ONC and have them do the surgery if possible.  I didn't but should have, took a heck of a risk and got lucky but if the frozen section biopsy they did while I was in surgery had shown cancer cells, my GYN surgeon would have closed me up and left the necessary debulking (removing as much cancerous tissue as possible) for another surgery.  Not the best route.  We call it the "Peek & Shriek" method.  A GYN/ONC is what you want and hope you don't need.  Keep asking questions Punkin!  MV

12 cm complex cyst on right ovary after hysterectomy

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