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Can ovarian cancer be mistaken for functional cysts?

It is possible to be "diagnosed" with functional cysts, after an ultrasound is done, when the real problem is ovarian cancer? Here is my situation: I am a 21 year old female. I went into hospital emergency three times a few weeks ago with extreme chest pain.. eventually, I was told it's reflux and I might have an ulcer. I am medication for that now. Shortly after this, I began to have a lot of pelvic pain. The urine tests showed I have an infection, so I was on antibotics for a week, which I'm done now and the pain has only become worse. I had an ultrasound done (the kind they do on my stomach), which the doctor said shows I have a group of functional cysts. My CA-125 is very good he said. He's not sure why the functional cysts are causing me pain, but told me to wait four weeks and report back to him then. Meanwhile, I am on very strong medication for reflux and have also been perscribed medication for constipation because I am experiencing a lot of that as well. Also, my upper thighs (around my hip area) are constantly sore. I am bloated, constipated, experiencing reflux, pelvic pain and fatigue. I have never experienced any of this before(including cysts) to this extent. I'm worried I have ovarian cancer and the doctor mistook it for functional cysts. What is causing this pain? Can ovarian cancer be mistaken for functional cysts? The doctor said there's no threat of me having ovarian cancer because I'm too young and my CA-125 is normal. He doesn't think my reflux problem is related to my pelvic pain. Does anyone have any advice?
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Avatar universal
im 15 had horrible pain in my abdomen. went to the minor emergency and they didn't know what was wrong they sent me to the e.r. and they said i have a ruptured cyst a bigger than a tennis ball . i had to stay home that day and the day after (friday) i wasn't in much pain the weekend after. i went to school monday and started hurting again. pulled through tuesday. had to leave today after being at school for 20 min. because it hurts so bad. i can't get into the doctor until the 17th. any advice until then?
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Avatar universal
This sounds a lot like what I've been experiencing.  A few days ago I went to the ER for horrible abdominal pain and they sent me to an ultrasound tech who found an ovarian cyst(they think) about an inch in diameter. I'm going to turn 15 in about two weeks, so they are really shocked at how much it's affecting me.  I've been really dizzy and nauseous for a long time, and I've had irregular periods since I got them, so they cant be sure.  Hopefully it's not cancer, but my chances look really bad right now.
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117289 tn?1391712825
I had severe groin pain with my dermoids.  Sometimes, I couldn't even stand up.  But, since my surgery, no pain!  Hope this helps.
~Tascha
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Avatar universal
Thank you everyone for your responses, and for the reassurance that likely nothing is seriously wrong. I have another question. The upper part of my right leg (around the area of my hips, close to my pelvic area) has been hurting a lot. I looked at myself in the mirror and I can see a vein putruding there (I can't see the one on my left). Feeling with my hands, it's obvious that the whole area is swollen (in comparison to my left side). Is this normal for functional cysts as well?
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117289 tn?1391712825
I can tell you that mine did.  I hope that helps (love the name, my middle name is Maria!
~Tascha
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Avatar universal
Functional cysts can be determined on vaginal US with some certainty.  It will be if they don't act like functional cysts over time (such as resolving) that other cysts will be considered (including cancerous ones -- but as Tascha said it's rare to begin with and given your age extremely unlikely.  With abdomenal US I'm not sure how well they can see by comparison.

The symptoms you are describing, others here have had from cysts, so hopefully they will self resolve and your symptoms will clear.  That you are describing multiple cysts, I'm wondering if it's poly cystic condition.  (I can't spell, so take my spellings liberally.)

Cheri
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Avatar universal
I have recently been diagnosed with acid reflux, and not too long after that, I found out I had a complex cyst.  I also have had pain in my upper thigh, and trouble with constipation and pain/pressure in my rectum.  I was also assured by my gyn that it was probably not cancer (I am 33)mainly because of my age, and I am otherwise pretty healthy.  Getting a second opinion might calm your fears, but more importantly, just stay on top of the situation.  Taking control of your health and medical decisions is half the battle!  Thoughts & prayers to you :)
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Avatar universal
Thanks Tascha for your prompt reply. It's good to know the cysts can cause acid reflux! Will the reflux pain stop after the cysts go away? Thanks for helping me calm down. I will try to get a second opinion next week if everything still hurts. I'm otherwise very healthy-- that's why all of this is scaring me a bit.
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117289 tn?1391712825
Acid reflux can be caused by a disturbance to the ovaries.  I want you to take note:  99% OF ALL OVARIAN CYSTS ARE BENIGN!!You are young and otherwise healthy?  Your cysts could cause the reflux (mine did).  Please do yourself and me a favor and get a second opinion.  Try to relax and keep posting here to let us know.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.
~Tascha
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