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Cysts vs Ovarian Cancer

I am currently waiting results from a CA 125 test.  2 weeks ago I went to my dr with severe pelvic pain, he did an u/s and found a 5cm clear fluid filled mass on my left ovary.  He wanted me to come back for an u/s after my cycle ended to see if it was smaller.  It was not.  I was shocked that he order the CA 125 test today and said if the #'s were high he would schedule an appt. with an oncologist but, having endometrious, fibroids & cysts could also cause the test to high.  This has all happened so quickly I am scared.  Has anyone had a CA 125 test?
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483733 tn?1326798446
Hi there.  I'd like to suggest that you repost your question on the ovarian cyst forum.  It was created several months ago to deal with these kind of questions.  As well, when you post a question onto an old posting it might not get answered since people will see all the posts and assume it has been handled and it is important your question be answered.

Over 95% of cysts are benign and there is some good information on the health pages (top right) about types of cysts and their symptoms.  And as you would have read above the CA125 cannot diagnose cancer but is still a tool they utilize in these instances.  After they get this result they will decide on a treatment plan for you which may include a laporascopy to remove the cysts.  Good luck to you and I'll see you over on the cyst forum.
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Avatar universal
  I 'am having alot of belly bloating that has been going on for about 1 year.I saw my OBGYN. The bloating usually accurs  after intercourse,but not always.I appear to be about 6 months pregnent when this bloating happens.My doctor ordered an ultra sound and I went ,while on the table  the tech. said she could not see my right ovary and wanted to do an internal ultra sound ,which she did. 3 days later I had a follow up with a nurse pract, Where she informed me that I had 2 cyst one on each ovary ,left being 1.5cm and the one on the right is 1.3cm ,the one on the right was complex. I go for a CA125 on Monday.To make  matters worse I have a Kidney disease and a bladder disorder.Both I have had for about 19 years.I,m 43 years old.The nurse asked me to not have intercourse until further notice.I feel a little confused right now.
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Avatar universal
I have had abdominal pain with two previous periods feeling pressure and like I was hit in the stomach. I have had two ultrasounds revealing complex cysts and fibroids. I had a CA125 which was 159, so I was referred to a gyn-oncologist. I went today and they are going to do surgery in two weeks to remove one ovary to see what is going on? I am scared to death. Is my CA125 elevated high enough to be ovarian cancer? My doctor said it is mostly likely not cancer, but she cannot say 100%. I know my CA125 could be elevated due to endometriosis, fibroids, cyst, etc.  I have never had endometriosis. Has anyone else had an elevated CA125 in the 100's and  found they did not have ovarian cancer? I am 40 and have one three year old child. I'm very nervous!!
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Avatar universal
Hi all,

My name is Monique, I am soon to be 35, not married, no children. I have read all your comments.

I noticed that you are all or some of you are panicked.... I have almost same your stories, and I believe that it is too soon for you to panick. There is no sign for cancer yet.
I have already an almost 4cm cyst on the left ovary, multiple fibroids, 7 of them measures over 1 cm to 4 cm almost. I have possible endo.
I found out about all this last december, first my Doctor didn't want to send me to Gyn, because she said it is normal, but I didn't believe, and after many tries, I pushed to go.
First doctor I went to, was definitely the wrong one. she want to do surgery, which I believe I need to remove the cyst, and clean the fibroids. the endo they need to see to tell m ore about it.
She brought me an authorization from the insurance, for a HYSTERECTOMY, her excuse is that this is on the side for removing 1 or both ovaries or hysterectomy if the cyst was cancer. I did not panick, but I was caution. we scheduled a surgery date at the hospital, june 30, but she was pushing me to think, if I want to wait. how was she thinking she might need hysterectomy and how she is asking me to wait, I cancelled.
I went to a different doctor, and he didn't like what she did at all. He did papsmear for me, (which she didn't), and it was normal.
my CA-125 was first time 38 and second time is 47. But this could be because of the cyst or the endo.
I am not worried, none of these significants means that I have cancer. It is too soon to worry. My worry is if my doctor knows what he is doing. I am blessed I didn't go blind with the first one.
Good luck for all of you.

Monique
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Avatar universal
Hi!  I was just reading peny's comments about her CA125 test.  I was sent for an u/s 3 weeks ago, and my gyno call me in to discuss the results.  She just informed me that I have a 3-5 cm cyst in my left ovary, and possible another in my right.  Right away she told me that she was going to do CA125 test (which they performed immediately), and also told me to have a follow up ultrasound after my next period.  I'm concern, because, like peny, this is kind of sudden for me. I'm 30 yrs old, and have no kids. Is all of this normal?  I'm trying to keep calm, and not put too much thought into it.  But, the most I read, the most I question everything.  Please advise.  Thanks
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Avatar universal
I'm sorry that you're going through this but I'm glad your dr is sending you to see a gyn-onc as they really are the ones to see.  Your dr seems right on top of this.
I can understand your concern.  Remember that the CA125 can have a false positive or it could be elevated for the reasons you mentioned.  
If surgery is recommended you may want to ask about having a frozen section biopsy done on the cyst - in some situations it can be helpful.  I would also suggest that regardless of the pathology results you have a second opinion on the pathology - especially if it's a rare type.
Remember to take care of you - don't get too worked up over this as there's not much you can do before you see the gyn-onc or before you have surgery if it's recommended.  

Take Care
Chelan
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Avatar universal
My CA 125 came back at 224.  My doctor is sending me to an gyn-onc.  they want to draw another blood test.  I am trying to stay postive as I do have a fiborid, a cyst & endo.  But I am scared.  I am 42, and have a 4yr old and a 5 yr old little girl.  Like I said before this is all happening so fast.
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Avatar universal
Cysts are common among pre-menapausal women.  At age 33 in 2002, I was diagnosised with a complex cyst - which is made up of both a solid component and fluid.  Complex cysts are usually NOT cancerous, but they can be that's why your dr is watching you closely.

You should know though that a CA125 cannot be used to diagnosis ovarian cancer.  The CA125 is known for having false positives.  It needs to be used in conjunction with other symptoms and facts.  The CA125 normal value range is from 0-35 but can be elevated from stress, benign cysts, IBS, endometrosis, infection, even other cancers.  Also, in some women the CA125 is not elevated when the women has ovarian cancer. Some women who have ovarian cancer have CA125 values in the 1000's.  If you have endo your cyst could even be a chocolate cyst (blood filled - not cancerous).  My CA125 prior to surgery was 66. This value was not a concern to my drs as I had also been diag with IBS and was under a great deal of stress, also during surgery they discovered I had endo.  My complex cyst ended up being a rare ovarian cancer called LMP or Borderline Ovarian cancer which doesn't usually spread and is cured through surgery alone- although follow-ups are still necessary.  It wasn't diagnosised until a biopsy was performed when the surgeons looked at it - they believed it to be benign.

I found it helpful to have copies of my u/s reports and bloodwork so I could read through them to have a better understanding and to be able to ask appropriate questions regarding how drs were approaching the treatment of my complex cyst.  I didn't like the first gyn I saw and researched and found another.  

If your dr recommends surgery and there is any chance it could be cancerous you should have a gyn-onc do the surgery - or have one on call.  You really want to have a gyn-onc do the surgery if you can.  You even may want to consult one prior to surgery as they will be able to give you opinions based on your u/s, blood tests, medical history, etc.

It's good your dr is on top of this but it's great that you're looking into this and becoming informed too.

Let us know how you make out.
Chelan
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