Cancer Odds

[jc23]

I posted this question on the other forum as well, but I thought I would check and see what a doctors opinion about it was.

My friend who is 37 years old was recently diagnosed with 2 large cysts- one on each ovary. Her doctor gave her birth control pills and decided to do a wait and see approach. On her last ultrasound which was about 3 months after the original the cysts had shrunk "a little" (according to the Dr- the size of an orange to begin with, but now the size of a large kiwi in her words) but not as much as she would have liked to have seen. She now wants to do laproscopy to look around and do a biopsy. My question is, if it was cancer would the cysts have shrunk at all? Also, would it be more or less likely to be cancerous when there is one on each side- seems most of what I'm reading says that it usually shows up on one side? This whole thing has her very scared and I am trying to find info for her. She said that her Dr. didn't seem too concerned, but none the less, it's scary. Any insight you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi here,
most cysts are not cancerous especially at age 37. It is appropriate to evaluate with laparoscpy. The most common diagnosis with this description would be cysts of endometriosis which will shrink but not go away with the birth control pill. Cancer does not shrink.
best wishes