Dealing with ovarian cyst

[Baker22]

I was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst by vaginal US. my doctor ordered CT then MRI. findings "fluid intesity cystic formation in left adnexa inferior anterir to the uterus, spetated well-defines, regular contour, no evidence of solid components, mesuring 6X5.5X5.8cm compressing inferiorly the UB, surrounded by significant free fluid involving Douglas pouch. unlikely to be Endometriosis"
to my surprise the MRI also found "another fluid intensity cystic formation in the slightly left sided to mid abdomin lie anterior position, well defined, regular contour, no evidence of solid component, measuring 8X6.5X5cm. mild ascitis mostly in the Morrison pouch" doctor ordered tumor markers:  CEA was 3.68, CA 125 was 29.2 and Beta-HCG wa <2.0.
my doctor wants to do a laparatomy, but said be prepared for possibility of radical hysterectomy (becasue possible severe endo or cancer). Would any tell me what to make of this. It just seems to be too wide of a spectrum of possibilities.
Thank you,
Baker22

[rmarie]

That is how it is in the UK.  Probably the education of physicians is different there, other countries use nurse midwifes more that we do here in the states, which is why we have OB/Gyn and Gyn/Onc.  May it be simple cysts, all of us with questionable cysts are told the same thing.  you can lose the cyst or have more extensive surgery, depending upon the biopsy.  I wish you simple cysts please keep us posted.  Marie

[Baker22]

She's not an oncologist. I will have two surgeons working on me: one is a gyno and the other is a GI. Neither is an oncologist. In my contry, only those with confirmed cancers have access to oncologists at gonvermental hospitals. Others like me have to do with the private sector's best alternatives. My doctors said, looks like simples cysts, but cannot explain them. I'm going to surgery without a diagnosis! I may come out of it wihtout my cysts and a few days of recovery, or come out of it without my reproductive organs, lymph nodes and part of my intestins with long recovery followed by chemo. You see my problem?

[rmarie]

I recently read that Ultrasounds are more predictive of cancer than the CA 125, so you go by what the Dr has related to you and the TVUS report.  Again I will ask, is you surgeon a Gyn/Onc?

[Baker22]

Thank you for your post.
Im 39, pre manopausal mother of 2 girls, breast fed both kids for 9 months.
What i wnted to know is whether one can narrow down the predictions prior to surgery. are there additional tests, correlation between my test results, anything that would tip the scales in favor of a diagnosis?

[rmarie]

That is a cyst that meets the criteria for removal.  I cannot address the free fluid that is around the cyst, You don't give your age or if you are pre or post menopausal, the CA 125 is not a reliable diagnostic tool, especially in the pre menopausal woman.  What I can highly recommend to you is that if you are not seeing a Gyn/Onc, go to one for a second opinion or even to do the surgery.  If your Dr. wants you to be prepared for a more radical procedure, you want the surgeon who is qualified to do the more radical procedure.  The Gyn/Oncologist has 3 additional years of education in operating and treating women's condition, he/she are truly specialist in women's surgical conditions.  The majority of cysts in women are benign, however the only way to be sure is by biopsy.  Good luck to you, see a Gyn/Onc and keep us posted.