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Menopause (Expert Forum)
Ovarian cysts and cancer?
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy, hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis, sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
Ovarian cysts and cancer?
by eli1947, Aug 07, 2006 12:00AM
I am new to this site and need some advise? Ever since I had the Leep procedure done 3 yrs ago I have not felt normal, I have had very heavy, painful periods, cystic acne, very bad pain when I ovulate lots of stuff, wellI wentin for my yrly 2 months ago and my gyno felt a cyst on my right ovary. after having a vaginal ultrasound he told me that my uterus lining is thickened 3.5 and they found a 2 inch complex cyst on my right ovary and a 1 inch complex cyst on my left ovary(although he said the wall was pretty thick on the right one) and a 1 inch polyp in my uterus he said w/ bloodflow to it. He ordered a ca125 blood test it was 19.3 and he has scheduled me for a hysterscopy,D & C, and laproscopy, he said that he di not expect cancer. We have uterin cancer in our family but on my dad's side. He said that didnt mean anything? Should I get a 2nd opinion b4 these new procedures? Do you think that any of this could be a result of the Leep? Sorry I'm 31 and am freaking out. Help!
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Aug 07, 2006 12:00AM
, Aug 07, 2006 12:00AM
A. You have a lot going on so it isn’t surprising you are freaking out.
A LEEP procedure although pronounced "leap," is actually LEEP, or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure. The doctor uses a wire in the shape of a loop to remove a portion of the cervix. Electrical current running through the wire turns it into a knife that shaves a thin slice of tissue off the cervix. This slice of tissue can be examined under a microscope to check for abnormal cells. LEEP usually doesn’t cause the type of problems you are describing.
You do have a cyst and that could cause a problem by making abnormal hormone production which could affect your menstrual cycle. Abnormal hormones (usually estrogen) could be the cause of the polyp and the thick uterine lining. A hysteroscopy should answer that question and hopefully allow the removal of the polyp and the thickened uterine lining. The laparoscopy is a belly button incision using a telescope to inspect the internal organs. If there is a problem with a cyst, it can often be removed at the time of the laparoscopy. Most of the time these things are benign, although it is impossible to say what it is at this time. That is why the laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and D&C are good things to do. You should definitely find out what is causing the problem and you may solve the problems. It doesn’t sound like you need a second opinion now. After you find out what the problem is, you can decide if a second opinion is useful to help with any further treatment.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
A LEEP procedure although pronounced "leap," is actually LEEP, or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure. The doctor uses a wire in the shape of a loop to remove a portion of the cervix. Electrical current running through the wire turns it into a knife that shaves a thin slice of tissue off the cervix. This slice of tissue can be examined under a microscope to check for abnormal cells. LEEP usually doesn’t cause the type of problems you are describing.
You do have a cyst and that could cause a problem by making abnormal hormone production which could affect your menstrual cycle. Abnormal hormones (usually estrogen) could be the cause of the polyp and the thick uterine lining. A hysteroscopy should answer that question and hopefully allow the removal of the polyp and the thickened uterine lining. The laparoscopy is a belly button incision using a telescope to inspect the internal organs. If there is a problem with a cyst, it can often be removed at the time of the laparoscopy. Most of the time these things are benign, although it is impossible to say what it is at this time. That is why the laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and D&C are good things to do. You should definitely find out what is causing the problem and you may solve the problems. It doesn’t sound like you need a second opinion now. After you find out what the problem is, you can decide if a second opinion is useful to help with any further treatment.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
Member Comments (2)
by eli1947, Aug 07, 2006 12:00AM
thank you sooooo much for your advise.
