Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Is surgery necessary because of ovarian cyst?

Hi,
I'm really happy that I discovered this forum because it contains so much good information, so thanks to everybody involved!
My question is about a 3.2 x 3.2 cemtimeter ovarian cycst that I have probably had for about 5 years already.
While my former gynecologist didn't seem to be very worried about it at all, the new gyn that I've been seeing since February of this year is trying to talk me into having surgery, saying that the cycst could damage my ovary because of lack of circulation, and this in turn- she says- could ruin my life.

The doctor is convinced that the cycst in non-cancerous. It has been looked at (by ultrasound) 4 times since February, and didn't change size significantly. The biggest it has been was 3.9 x 4 centimeters, and the smallest was 2.9 x 2.9 cm.

I am 28 years old and weigh 150 lbs (my height is 5 feet, 8 inches). There is no occurence of ovarian cancer in my family history, and I am not experiencing ANY abnormalities or pain from the cycst- I have completely regular and painless periods every 28 days, and I am quite healthy and athletic otherwise.

Since I have no discomfort, and also because I had an extremely traumatic bicycle accident 3 years ago (6 broken ribs, ruptured spleen, concussion, 6 inch belly scar from surgery- this would be a reason why my cycst surgery could NOT be done as an outpatient procedure), I am very reticent to admit myself to a hospital unless I absolutely HAVE to, so I'm looking for a second opinion- does it sound like I really need to get surgery because of this cycst?

Thanks so much!

Mary
17 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
A related discussion, worry 4cm cytes was started.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a relatively "small" cyst of about an inch and my gyno wasn't worried the least bit. Over the calender year (till my next exam and pap), this thing grew into 36 cm! (huge!!... About the size of a grapefruit). Long story short, it ruptured before I could get booked into surgery, eventually tested for both benign and malignant (non-cancerous AND cancerous) fluids, had my right ovary and Fallopian tube removed, had to undergo a few cycles of chemotherapy, I lost my hair and was consistently drained), and while I'm relatively "healthy" now, my fertility is severely jeopardized. For myself, personally, it wasn't about going 'under the knife'. It was the idea to fix my god given privledge as a woman to have children. To some, that may not mean much, but being young (diagnosed at 23, just had my 24th birthday), it was WAY too soon to give up on the idea of kids.
Just went in for an ultrasound and here's a 2 inch cyst on my last standing, left ovary. They are going to monitor it, via blood work and ultra sounds.
Even if people don't want Kids ultimately, or are done having kids, I'd still encourage to at least have ANY cyst monitored. While you may be bypassing surgery NOW, it can very well fester into something like what I had.
P.S. I did NOT look cute or anything close to it with a bald head.  
Helpful - 0
367974 tn?1286551158
Mary... my sister had her left ovary removed because she was rahed into hospital, life threatening situation and they found a very big cyst 15cm x 13 cm twisted over her lft ovary.......was operated immediately, operation was for 5 hours etc....... the dr told her that she could have died an that she was lucky to survive........  My advie would be if its growing then pls have it removed to avoid such situation... hope all goes fine...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just got back from the emergency room for what I thought was a kidney infection.  After a CT scan, I was told that I had two cysts on my right ovary and one on the left.  This is not a big deal for me b/c I have a long history of ovarian cysts.  
I was told that the cysts on my right ovary were 6 cm and 7 cm.  The one on my left ovary is 4 cm.  He said to rest so that it doesn't rupture and follow up with my ob/gyn.  I can't do anything today b/c it's Christmas Eve.  Merry Christmas to me!  LOL!
Do cysts of this size normall disappear on their own?  What is the criteria for haivng to have one surgically removed?
By the way, I wanted to tell a story about something that happened to me when I was younger.
I had been having severe pelvic pain at school, when I was 15.  The school receptionist made my mom come pick me up (after she refused several times to do so-she kept saying, "She's probably faking it.").  Anyway, my mom took me home and said, "Lift up your shirt and show me where it hurts."  I lifted my shirt and saw that there was pus and blood all over my stomach.  There was also some green stuff.
Of course, my mom freaked out!
She called my ob/gyn and she had my mom take me to see a surgeon.
Come to find out, I had a cyst that ruptured so hard that it came out of my belly button.  It was good that this happened b/c it kept it from leaking into my pelvic cavity.
Anyway, I wanted to know if anyone else has every had this happen?
Also, what's the surgical requirement for cysts?
Melissa
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for the insight. Im just waiting for the specailist to call me now.  After that I should know a little more. I hope things go well for you and all the tests go ok.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I depends on the type of cyst you have and how suspicious they are. They also sometimes will remove what they know to be fluid filled simple cyst if they are extremely painful. I have had this done. They took only the cyst and not my ovary that time so it did not affect my ability to get pregnant. The second time they took out my ovary because I kept getting cyst on it and they were very painful. Never did we suspect cancer. It was my choice to a degree but it was driven by the pain. I now have one tube and can still get pregnant if I choose. Now a few years later we are doing all the test for cancer because I have many "cyst" growing all over the place and a lump in my belly that I can see and feel.  This time I am scared and the doctor seems concerned.
The point is, that there are many things that could happen here. The odds are stacked in your favor that you do not have cancer and that you will go on to have another child. Cyst often form and we don't even know about it because they do not  cause pain. They simply go away. I hope your pain and your cyst go away w/o problems.
Good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Last week my pelivc area started to hurt pretty bad. I started having other sypmtoms such as pain in my lower back, weakness, swelling in my abdomen, pain when going to the bathroom, hot and cold flashes, clammy skin, and pain with intercourse. My Doctor did an immediate CT scan. I have a 4 cm cyst on my left ovary and a 2cm cyst on my right. They are going to refer me to a specialist on Monday. I am only 23 so I am a little scared that it might prevent me from having another child. What are the typical procedures when treating these things? I read that they just watch them. But my pain is pretty severe. What kind of treatments are normally administered when dealing with cysts? Does anyone know. Maybe some personal experience might help me to better understand.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Mary, I wouldn't worry. It is very normal to develop cyst throughout your cycle. The fact that it has "ruptured" ( which really means the fluid has come out) means that it has resolved. The pain often felt from the cyst, is from the body reabsorbing what they call "free fluid" which is the fluid that is leaked out when a cyst ruptures. It is very common and seen often in the ER. I wouldn't worry since it has ruptured and therefore should be resolved. If you are still worried however there is nothing wrong with going to your own doctor for follow-up and piece of mind. Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I currently have a cyst, I am looking @ holistic aspect. I was introduced to a cream called Restored Balance.  You put it on different parts of you rbody diff time of the month, it sounds weird I know, but look it up .  I have had numerous health experts rave about it.   I start in a week. But you can try it and see what happens.  Its better than surgery, especially if you are not having pain.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a 4cm, blood-filled cyst on my right ovary...doctor said it had ruptured, and all of the symptoms (severe pain in right abdomen, nausea and vomiting, strenuous activities leading up to rupture...) are present.  However, after first screening me for appendicitis, and then for gall stones, they seemed reluctant to do any further testing to get to the bottom of my pain.  Although the OBGYN in the ER did bring about the realization that there was a cyst on my right ovary, no other action was taken to see whether or not it was a real problem.  In fact, I kind of felt like they thought it was no big deal.  Ovarian cancer and uterine cancer both run in my family, and I guess I'm just feeling a little anxious.  I am wondering if I should be concerned, or if I should listen to the doctors and not worry over it. --Is it worrisome to have a hemorrhagic cyst on my ovary that is 4cm, and has ruptured, causing severe pain?  If so, what steps should I take?

Thanks,

Mary #2
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
3.1 cyst on ovary .5 on liver,kidney, spleen,and thickend endometrum,horrible pain almost nonstop. Doctors dont know why i have such pain.Waiting for ca125 screen.for cancer,have large fibroid on uterus. Begging for help and my life back. Any input , anyone, also constipated, cant eat,for fear of constipation  thanks darlene
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a near 6 cm complex cyst on my ovary, and a smaller one on the other.  Through the years I have had so many pelvic infections and adhesions that the  GYN decided I should just have everything taken out.  SInce Jan 2005, the surgery has left me feeling sick to my stomache.  feeling a little better now, but still seem tired.  I'm not takig any hormones so wonder if this would help if I did?  Also where my cervix was removed, it hurts and is still quite sore.  My guts feel bound up quite a bit and I have trouble with bowel movements where I never used to.  Is this due to adhesions I am wondering?  I saw the Dr who did my surgery many times and he seems to not help me much.  I am a bit heavy and get put off by the local GYN's where I live..where does one go to find help?  The pulling and soreness around my cervix area is driving me insane!  The cysts were benign, but he sure did alot of cutting it seemed.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I thought a 4 cm cyst was big as well, but when I started reading this forum and other info on cysts, I came to the realization that a 4 cm cyst isn't really that big compared to some of the cysts that others have to deal with.

Other than that, I can only wish you luck with the mammogram and the coloscopy! Hopefully everything turns out alright.

Mary
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am very glad to discover this forum.  I started having side pain a little over a month ago.  Didn't think too much of it but went to the doctor and they diagnosed a kidney infection.  Took antibiotics for 2 weeks and the pain was still hanging around and actually moving...sometimes mid back, sometimes on the left side.  I ended up going back to the doctor and they scheduled a CT scan.  Scan revealed multiple cysts on ovaries.  Next appointment was for pap smear.  I am 50 yrs old and haven't had a period since February.  Have had symptoms of menopause (irregular periods, hot flashes, etc.) for about 2 years.  Anyway, the dr. that performed the pap scheduled Ultrasound for today.  Went to that and found out I have a small simple cyst on the right ovary and a large complex cyst (4 cm x 3 3/4 cm) on the left that produced sounds of echoes leaving me to believe (from what I've read in these forums) it is part fluid/part solid filled.  Now I wait to hear what my doctor wants to do next.  I'm freaking a bit and would like some moral support from you guys.  I have no family history of cancer, have never had children and other than this uncomfortable side/back ache when I get up from sitting down, feel fine.  Add to all of this, I'm scheduled to have a consult for a colonscopy tomorrow and a mammogram next week.  Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a complex cyst with blood in it and it went away.  Its possible.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

thanks for responding! Unfortunately, my doctor didn't tell me whether it is a complex or a simple cyst. All I was told was that according to the ultrasound, it looks like there is some blood in it, which makes it less likely for the cyst to resolve and disappear on its own.
But then again, I have had it for such a long time that disappearance doesn't seem all that likely, anyway.

Mary
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi there

I personally think you could continue to do a watch and wait on this cyst due to the fact you have no other symptoms from it and there is no history of OC in your family and also because of your young age.  Chances that it is malignant is pretty rare.  Is it a complex cyst or a simple cyst?  The fact that it doesn't grow and grow is good too.  Let's hear what others have to say here on the board but i think you are okay to put surgery off.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cancer Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn how to spot the warning signs of this “silent killer.”
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.