Cancer or something else?

[shopwithme]

I'm a 45 year old female who's recently been diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst. It measures about 6 inches by 5 inches by 4 inches and has some solid material in it as well as fluid. I've been told it's unlikely to be a dermoid cyst because its characteristics are different than those typical to a dermoid cyst. I've got no family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer or colorectal cancer. I had a hysterectomy and right salpingo-oophorectomy in Sept 2008 to deal with heavy periods and right sided pelvic pain, so my left ovary is the only one I have left. I've been sent for bloodwork to check for the tumour markers CA-125 as well as two others that I can't remember other than to say that one was for breast cancer and the other for colorectal cancer. I'm scheduled to have surgery on May 7 to have the cyst removed as well as the ovary, with the possibility of an omentectomy and removal of lymph nodes. Needless to say, I am very scared and worried about all of this and I'm wondering if anyone has any insight as to the likelihood of this being cancer as opposed to something that's benign. Please, please if anyone can pass along any information I would be so grateful. Thanks in advance!

[ireneo]

A couple years ago I had a large cyst on my left ovary. Quite a surprise to me at my age (55 at the time) and post menopausal. My doctor referred me to a gynecologist who mentioned that she would have an oncologist on hand for the surgery. Not happy things to hear. But everything literally came out just fine and there was no sign of cancer. I understand the odds of malignancy are slightly higher as we get older but it's still over 90% turn out benign. That's pretty encouraging.

[kcd86]

Hi, I am an RN and my wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010. I am a little confused as to why you had a hysterectomy and right salpingo-oophorectomy in 9/08, just for heavy periods? What did pathology show after removal? If you don't know for sure sign an authorization and get a copy of your records from the hospital.  
Tests like sonograms, Cat scans and MRI's along with blood tests like CA125, Inhibin A&B, MIS and CEA are just used as a guides for the Dr's to help assist in making a diagnoses(Dx). Unfortunately with any type of ovarian cyst/mass surgery will be the only way for the Dr's too make a definitive Dx and staging if needed. It is NOT recommended to biopsy any ovarian mass as it will rupture and seed the pelvis with cancer cells if that what it turns out to be.  Please make sure they drew your blood for the following blood tests,Inhibin A&B, CA125 and CEA.
I would immediately find a good GYN/Oncologist surgeon as soon as possible!! I would reccomend going to a large tiertiary hopsital where they see large volumes of patients.  This is not to make you worry even more but to make sure that the Dr who treats you has vast experience with diagnosing and treating various types of GYN / Onc issues if that is what it turns out to be. If the Dr wants to remove the cyst/mass via laprascopic procedure PLEASE make sure they have much experience with removing these INTACT! All too often I read posts from patients who say their Dr thought it was a cyst and removed it haphazardly causing a rupture and seeding of the pelvis with cancer cells, only to be found on pathology post removal.
From experience I would be asking for an MRI of the abdomen/pelvis which read by a Radiologist that specializes in GYN/ONC can be pretty precise. My wife went to a radiology practice that does all types of MRI's and the Radiologist read her MRI as a fibroid. I then took her to Sloan Kettering in NYC to see a GYN/ONC surgeon Dr Carol Brown who had the MRI repeated by a GYN/ONC Radiologist who called her DX to the tee which was confirmed after surgery.
The best advice you see all over these posts is you have to be your own advocate, be aggresive and stay on top of your phycicians. I am enclosing a good and reliable web site you can go to to educate yourself, www.uptodate.com/patients
Good Luck Kevin (kcd86 at aol.com)