If you have ovarian cyst are you at higher risk for ovarian cancer?

[RamCheerMom]

I'm 40 and have a cyst on my left ovary.  It did not go away after the three month waiting period that was recommended by my doctor.  The ultrasound showed it is still there, now it's on to the surgeon to have it removed.  Are women at greater risk of developing ovarian cancer when they have ovarian cysts that do not go away?  Also, how do we decide if a hysterectomy is the best option?  If we remove the cyst, who is to say I won't continue to have more develop and have to go back for more surgery to have them removed also?  The cyst has caused horrible pain on three different occasions so far.  All I am able to do is take pain medicine and lay in bed until the pain goes away.  And that is anywhere from 5 to 7 days.  All I know is I am tired of the pain it is causing me and am so ready to have it removed.  I have a fibroid in my uterus and have pain from that monthly..but how much surgery should it take to correct this problem?

[clamato]

A related discussion, mother was started.

[ronnie661]

A related discussion, INFO was started.

[jennyonline]

hi!
ive been diagnosed with 2 ovarian cysts 4.7cm in the left ovary and 5.5cm in the right ovary.. Im only 27..married for only an year. Ive got the CA125 test done. The report shall come soon. But Ive heard the test is quite unreliable with many cases of false positives.. Besides, elevated levels of ca125 (even above 35) are not necessairily indicative of cancer; but Im really scared..can someone plz guide me.

[Nursemommy34]

I stumbled on this site researching my dx of ovarian cyst.  I am medically trained, but not in the area of gyno.  I neglected to ask my doc what kind of cyst I have, but meanwhile, I will be getting a C125 next week.  I am under 35, have kids and hx of PCOS.  My cyst, that I strongly suspected was one, kicked up after I started ovulation,post breastfeeding. At first I had increased tenderness on the right side...I thought 'it's probably a change in mittleshmertz"..but then every month, for 8 more months, the initial tenderness slowly turned to pain...the same time every month, close to ovulation time (about 10 days before my period).  This past month it was so painful, like a stabbing, it knocked me to the floor.  I was contemplating whether I should stick it out, because I knew it would subside in a day or two, or a painful ride to the ER, as it was the weekend.
Thank God it was gone when I woke up.  But, 9am , Monday morning, I was on the phone, got a next day US.  So, I have a 4cm cyst.  I am not doing any waiting on the c-125.  I know the results can be bent by almost any internal and external event.  I am more afraid of the pain than anything else.  I think the C-125 would just tell doc to up the scans to an MRI, then she can decide if she wants to do a laproscopic (think microscopic), or a laparotomy (think the last three letters in the word...o--my!)  The latter of the two surgeries would be used in suspicion of malignancy.  I am kind of worried about it being cancer, but I just keep telling myself that it's rare for someone my age.  I would like to know of people who are of this age group, who have/had ovarian cancer, and how early they got it , related to the prognosis.  

[Casey06]

The consensus is that the CA-125 tumor marker for ovarian cancer is not a reliable test, especially for premenopausal women but I have recently read on the John Hopkins web site:

http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/menu_understanding.cfm

"CA-125 blood test (If it comes back elevated, ask your doctor to repeat this test monthly for several months. If it comes back progressively more elevated each time, even if the values are low, this is an indication that the condition could very likely be serious.)"

So this is a new "twist" on the use of CA-125, so I am trying to share this info with as many people as I can, because we need more tools to help decern benign from malignant and help women plan appropriate treatment. If it shows any suspicious signs, such as growing or increasing CA-125 or solid or complex cyst, then a Gyn/Onc should be consulted.

I had also read in a medical abstract, that a CA-125 over 300 was more indicative of malignanacy.

[Steph6788]

Just yesterday I was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst on my rigth side. I figured it might of been one since I did some research and had almost all the symptoms and so I went to the gyno and well she found it alright. So Monday I go to get a scan to see how big it is and everything. Although, it'll take 2 to 3 days to find the results out! Which is a bummer, because I'm already so nervous as it is! I hate this pain and sickness it gives me. Plus my gyno said if the pain gets really bad and I feel nauseated or am vomiting to go straight to the E.R. Which makes me even more nervous!

[jellybean218]

i am 44 yearsold and have a cyst measuring 12cm by 12cm i go next tuesday for blood results and c t scan me like you am petrified but we are not on are own great to talk to all of you.

[kazzamalt]

thank you very much for your reply, sorry to say what i put in my message  about what i thought would happen to me on the table. Its just im very anxious about this and each day that passes it just gets bigger and bigger, ive got a very supportive husband who is always telling me to think positive and to take things how they come, as he says my thoughts are just making me feel nervous.
Ive had my blood test c,s done im just waiting now for a ct scan which seems to be taking forever before i go in to have the surgery. Have you had a cyst removed then and thanks once again for your reply.

[SimplyStar]

99% of all masses, cysts, tumors are begine.  that is a large one and it will make you feel better to get it out.  You will not die on the table. Try thinking positve and knowing that your chances of it being cancer is very rare.

[kazzamalt]

ive just been diagnosed with a ovarian cyst on my left ovary, measuring 18-15cm, im waiting now for a ct scan prior to having it removed, im very nervous about the surgery, and think im going to die on the table.

[RamCheerMom]

Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you on the question, I've been having computer problems.  Anyway, the onco took my appendix out because of all the endo, he said it looked bad so he removed it and then it was sent for a biopsy.  He said there was a malignacy but all was confined and no further treatment would be neccessary.  So I am so thankful that he took out my appendix too!!  I'm still on a slow recovery, but with all I've been through I guess I shouldn't expect to be out running races yet.  Just tired of being cooped up so long!  But it's better to be cooped up at home than in the hospital!  Thanks again for your help on this site...I think it's such a great place for all those going through such a scary thing as we have.

[MickeyVicki]

I am so glad to know that you are cancer-free.  Recovery seems to take forever, doesn't it?!  In hindsight, if I'd known that I had such severe endometriosis too then I likely would have opted for the hysterectomy myself.  But, prior to the surgery, we had no idea that I had endometriosis, so I had not discussed this option with my doctor.  

How did they find the cancerous cells in your appendix?  Was there any indication from the exterior of it that gave them a clue?  As far as I know, mine was not even biopsied, but I did notice at my second post-op appointment that my doctor had taken a photograph of my appendix for her records.

[RamCheerMom]

Well after a long stay in the hospital due to other complications from my surgery I am now at home.  The surgery was a long one due to the fact that when they opened me up they found I had a severe case of Endo...the cyst they removed was benign.  But when they removed my appendex they sent it to pathology and it had some cancer cells, it was all contained within the appendex so no treatments are required, my onco said I'm clear and no need to visit him.  So thank God the prayers were answered and there is no cancer.  The onco said the endo was so bad that when they opened me they thought it was cancer and that they would just have to close me back up.  But once the pathology reports were done and it was ruled endo then the long surgery began..they did a total hysterectomy, took the appendex and cleaned up the endo.  Then I had problems with my bowels after surgery, and also fluid in my lungs.  After 18 days in the hospital I am finally home!!!!  So glad this is all over and I can look forward to recovery and a better life soon!  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, keep up the good work and May God Bless You!  You helped calm my fears by talking to me.

[farida]

i do not have ovarian cancer but i do have a endo cyst which has grown to from the size of and olive to the size of a lemon this cyst was confirmed by my doctor after an mri and a sonogram, however my cyst is at the tip of my utherus i do feel alot of pain and the doctor advise to me is to have my utherus removed because i have two grown childres ages 21 and 10 years old i am thirth nine i would have like to have another child but i am afraid also i do get aregular period every month and i only get it for two days and not very heavy i need some advise can some please help me i need advise please i do do not know what to do i want to go and get this over with, please can some e-mail me.

[MickeyVicki]

I know what you are going through right now.  My cyst was growing too.  It basically doubled in size over less than two months' time.  The last week, especially the last few days before my surgery, I was experiencing true pain from it.  A nurse with whom I consulted at that time told me the fact that I was having such acute pain indicated to her that my cyst was not likely to be malignant.  She went into great detail about ovca being called the "silent killer" precisely because the symptoms are so minor that the cancer spreads before it is detected.  Of course, at the time, I was just so terrified that I could not appreciate her commentary!

I guess the surgeon advised you that CA-125 results are often false positives, and can be influenced by many other conditions.  My doctor gave me the specific guidelines for interpreting the CA-125 test used for me.  For that test, up to 35 is normal, but only a score of 100 and over would be indicative of cancer.  

Anyway, you are set up for the proper process, what with having an oncology surgeon at the table!  Your surgery should be a success and that is the first step to recovery no matter what they find during surgery.  You have my prayers for a great outcome.

[RamCheerMom]

Well the surgeon didn't like the looks of the cyst.  She ordered the CA 125 test.  Results from that take a couple of days.  She scheduled the surgery for next Tuesday with an oncologist along with her.  She said the cyst showed some growth over the last three months and looks a little suspicious so she is going to have the oncologist with her during surgery.  This was not what I wanted to hear!!  But I'll hope for the best.  Thanks for all your help!!  You have taught me a lot just by reading your posts.

[MickeyVicki]

Near the bottom of this page are the old comments posted between myself and Karinc (under question about "Endometrioma and Cancer")  She had the same surgery that I had, and I sought her advice before my surgery.  She does a very, very good job of explaining the recovery process, beginning with the stay in the hospital.  You should read her comments as well.

[MickeyVicki]

(I hope I got your name right!)  I had laparascopic surgery on December 15.  I have four incision sites:  one in the center at the bikini line, two in 'mid-belly' (one on the right side and one on the left side) and an incision at my navel.  Each incision is roughly 1 to 1 1/2 inch long.  My incisions were stitched, not stapled.  I have a very skilled doctor; otherwise, I would have come out of surgery with the much larger laparotomy incision since it was discovered that I have a rather horrible case of endometriosis.  That discovery was a surprise as I have never had symptoms of endo.  She was able to remove most of the endo implants without making the larger incision.   Of greatest surprise to me is that she was able to remove not only my ovary and fallopian tube through such small incisions but that she was able to get out an endometrioma the size of a grapefruit.  By the way, they bag the cyst and remove it whole to prevent spilling the contents into the abdomen.

My first week of recovery went very well.  I do not feel that I had any real pain.  I was able to stop taking any pain medication after one week - I did not even need Tylenol.  There was some swelling and discomfort, and I had to sleep on my back.  I was not able to bend over due to the abdominal swelling, which made getting into my socks and sweatpants a real challenge.  Anything that I dropped on the floor stayed on the floor until family or friends came by to check on me.  I was under doctor's orders not to lift anything, walk stairs, take a tub bath, drive, or have sexual intercourse until my post-op appointment one week later.  At that time, I was allowed to use stairs, take baths, and drive...and I have another post-op appointment on the 13th.

Unfortunately, I developed a cough during the second week, and I feel that set me back in my recovery.  I have gotten much better now, and I think that I am back on track.  I can do most anything that I have a mind to do, except lift anything over about 8 to 10 pounds.  Lifting anything of any real weight causes a stinging/burning sensation in the incision at my navel.   I am back into my regular clothing (jeans mostly.) I have noticed that walking great distances (a half mile or so) causes some discomfort since my clothing rubs against my incision sites.  Otherwise, I think that I am doing very well.

[RamCheerMom]

What type of surgery did you have, and what was the recovery period?

[MickeyVicki]

Yes, I too have found this site to be very helpful in giving me ideas for questions to ask the doctor, and especially for letting me know what to expect from my surgery.

Based on my ultrasound, my doctor believed that it would be possible to remove the cyst from my ovary, leaving the ovary intact.  I chose instead to have the ovary and tube removed - if the ovary was going to be creating problems like that, then I wanted it out of me!  My doctor agreed that I was making the right choice and said that she would make the same decision.  As it turned out, she discovered during surgery that the endometrioma had essentially destroyed my ovary by binding to it.  She would not have been able to save the ovary anyway.  She believes the destruction of my ovary is what caused me to miss the monthly cycle that resulted in my appointment with the doctor that led to the discovery of the cyst.

I am prone to having a great deal of input and control over my health issues, so I also discussed with my doctor other scenarios, such as if cancer was found or if the laparascopic procedure was not sufficient and a laparotomy needed to be done.  We were very thorough in our discussions.  I made my decisions as to what I wanted done in each possible case since I would be under anethesia and would not be able to make decisions.  I did not want my family to be put in the difficult place of trying to decide what I would or would not want done.  My doctor was also confident that she knew exactly what I wanted done.

[RamCheerMom]

Thanks for your reply.  No, I have not had a CA-125 bloodtest.  It has never been mentioned.  And I do not know what kind of cyst I have.  I will be talking with my doctor tomorrow and hopefully get some answers as to what kind of cyst it is. As soon as my doctor ordered the second ultrasound, she said if it is still there I'm sending you on to the surgeon.  So now is the time for me to ask lot's of questions and see exactly what my doctor has planned as far as the type of cyst and the type of surgeon that will perform the operation.  This is all new to me and I've learned a lot more from this site then I have from the doctor, sad..but true.  Thanks again for your input.

[MickeyVicki]

Just over two weeks ago, I had a "complex cyst with solid components" removed, along with the left ovary (where the cyst was located) and fallopian tube.  At surgery, my cyst was found to be an endometrioma, and the pathology report found it to be benign.   I personally have not read any reports indicating that cysts in general place a woman at higher risk for ovca.  There are many types of cysts, some of which are considered to be "normal" in the monthly cycle process even when they do not resolve in a short time.   However, I did find a report that quoted two studies which found a slightly higher incidence of cancer associated with endometriomas located on the left ovary.

I assume that you had a transvaginal ultrasound; your doctor should be able to give you more details on the cyst - terms such as simple/complex/solid/septated - terms which should give some indication of what might be found during surgery.  Have you also had a CA-125 bloodtest?    While it is an unreliable test prone to giving false negative results, it could influence  your decision as to who should do the surgery.  If you have an elevated CA-125 level, then you should consider having a oncologist perform the surgery in the event that cancer is discovered.