Cyst size?

[edithfaye]

Hello Dr Goodmen, I need your help to understand my ultrasound. I will first tell you my age, I am 71.
I have had small cysts on my ovary for five years. I will give you the size for my last five ultrasounds, and then ask my question.
7/17/2007   1,7x1.9x1.5  cm and 1.9x1.9x2.2cm     1/10/08  2x2.2x2.3cm and 2.2x1.7x1.9cm
6/29/08   A different Do made this report. The size  3x8x2.4x2x4cm. This comment was on the report.
The right ovary contains a complex cyst, containing several septations.
10/16/08    5.3x2.6x2.6 cm. This comment was on the report. Complex tabulated right adnexal cyst.
Dr Goodman why did I have two small cyst for five years and now I only have one ? I had a groan muscle pull, would that have any thing to do with it ?
My gyn did not explain my ultrasound in detail. I was told to get a CA125 blood test and another ultrasound in three
months.
Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.

[PikaPika88]

I won't surprise about the different result of imaging.  Start with my GP sent me to have a CT abdomen.....

Result: Bulky uterus.  Multiple diverticulars affecting most of the large bowel.

Follow with a Transvaginal ultrasound: fibroid 2.1cm right at the fundus.  Bilamina thickness of 8mm.  Both ovaries visualised normal sonographic.

2 years later, Plevic ultrasound conclusion: No abnormality is noted.

Gynae disagreed because she felt still quite bulky.  3 months later, another transvaginal ultrasound performed.  Mild adenomyosis, endometrium 12.4mm, most likely a functional cyst 26x19x17mm in the right ovary.

Fibroid HAS GONE, here comes an ovary cyst!   Also 2 colonoscopies performed by 2 different GI doc.  NOT even one diverticular can find in my bowel.  Very very clean!

Tell me how I'm going to believe the images now?  Anyway, my Gynaecologist thinks it is nothing serious.  Pretty normal for a women, is this true?  

[tayala]

My mother had a colonoscopy several months ago w/ findings of a mass in her colon and ovary.  They did a cancer blood test and it was fine.  The doctor did a vaginal US and found a 5.2 cm cyst on her ovary and she ( just last week) started complaining of back pain.  Is a 5.2 cm ovarian cyst automatically cancer?

I am very worried.
She is 62 - no hx of any other cancer.
She is diabetic.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi Pikapika,

Yes that does sound a bit confusing.  Ultimately, xrays are just 2 dimensional shadows of our 3 dimensional reality. You have to compare the xray to the physical exam and symptoms that a person has.

xrays can vary from place to place.Also  technology changes over time.

Adenomyosis is a condition where benign glands from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) penetrate the muscle wall of the uterus.  The uterus can feel bulky on examination.
Some women with adenomyosis will have pain and heavy menstrual bleeding .

Sometimes on ultrasound, fibroids (benign muscle growths of the wall of the uterus ) can be mistaken for adenomyosis and visa versa.

Ultimately, having a good doctor who keep an eye on you over time is the most important part of care.

best wishes

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Edithfaye,
if your CA 125 is high, then you should talk with your doc about removing the cysts sooner.
take care

[edithfaye]

Dr Goodman
thank you for your comments.
  I am nervous about this hospital visit as this time,  however I do plan on getting my ovary out in Jan,  sooner if my 125 blood test is high.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi Edithfaye,
thank you for your other comments.

as far as why reports can vary - sometimes depending on the angle of the ultrasound beam, the cysts can be slightly different sizes. Also sometimes a cyst can be described as having internal septations whereas another radiologist might read it as 2 cysts side by side.

looking over your reports, I do wonder whether these cysts are slowly growing.  While it is unlikely that something  that has been present for so many years is malignant, It might be time to remove that ovary.

best wishes