Ovarian Cancer?

[Jassi1103]

Hi All,

I have been searching for days trying to find some information and am hoping someone may have had the same thing or offer some advice. Does anyone know what a complex cyst with lesion is or a endometrial hemorrhage with polyps are?  I have an endometrial polyp and also a complex cyst with lesion in my right ovary.  Back in 9/08 the lesion measured 1.4cm and today it is 1.6cm.  I had some of the same symptoms as today but were less severe and also a horrible doctor that said I was fine and to deal with it. Recently I switched doctors and am having her look into this further since dealing with it no longer works for me.  The pain with the cyst has been progressively getting worse - can't have sex because of the pain and spotting afterwards for weeks is also a downside and the pain/pressure in my lower stomach will last for days after.  The pain from having a bowel movement or even sitting down is also getting worse.  I don't know if this little cyst is causing all this or if it could be something more?  I'm also bloated all the time with some days have a hard time just fitting into my "fat" jeans.  I can clearly see a right buldge that has been forming for a while now and it is just slowly getting bigger.  

I have an appointment tomorrow for another ultrasound to see if it went away with my last period; but if not, my doctor said she will talk to me about my options then.  Anyone know what options she is talking about?  Removing the cyst?  At this point I think that would be great if it meant taking the pain with it.  Would that be gone as well?  Also, anyone know if cysts in the ovaries could be related to breast cancer or calcifications?  I have the calcifications in my right breast and am wondering if the two could be related.  So far they are just monitoring them and they haven't developed into anything but it is still in the back of my mind.

Thanks so much for any advice or input you may have.
Jassi      

[Jassi1103]

I saw my doctor today and she did just as I suspected she would... wants me to try Loestrin24fe for a few months to see if that will help with the pain and symptoms (along with some heavy duty pamprin and fiber).  The only good thing I think she did was order a CA125 blood test but that still doesn't make me completely happy.  She said if the symptoms get worse or if the pill doesn't help then she has exhausted all her options besides surgery.  I asked about the cyst and she said it is fine - not causing any problems... Everything I read has me thinking red flag all over this.  My husband told me two months won't hurt anything - hopefully he is right.  I was really hoping for a MRI.    

Jassi1103

[Jassi1103]

My doctor finally called me back yesterday after having to leave a ton of messages for three days.  She is horrible with returning phone calls.  Anywho, I have an appointment on Wednesday afternoon for my "options".  I asked her what she thought and she thinks since it is so small she is not concerned.  She wants to put me on the pill to see if that will help with the pain.  Needless to say she is not my favorite person right now.  I'm so tired of the runaround.  I told her I'd like blood work and a MRI at the least and that I felt 2 years was long enough to not know what it is and to just leave it there.  She seems very reluctant... Hopefully doctor number 7 isn't coming soon!  I feel like a doctor addict shopping around and switching doctors so much!  It is so frustrating!!  Ugh!  Anyway, that is my update.  Hopefully everyone is having a better day/week!

Jassi

[hopeshell]

That is encouraging news on your ultrasound.  I do hope you get to have further tests and find some answers.  You have waited a long time!  Keep us posted!

Shelly

[Jassi1103]

Thanks for the replies.  I just received my ultrasound from yesterday.  It still shows a complex small ovarian follicle/nonenlarged cyst is raised (reports words) with no definite adnexal mass is shown.  I also have a trace amount of simple free fluid in the cul de sac and my endometrial stripe is 1.5 cm.

I plan on calling my doctor later today if she doesn't call me first and requesting a MRI along with blood work and go from there.  Two years without a change seems good but too long for me to be comfortable with it still being there.  

Thanks again,
Jassi  

[hopeshell]

Any complex cyst has the potential of being malignant.  Usually, they are also large (over 5cm), but, I don't think it is wise to leave any complex cyst that is persistent.   Your cyst is very small and the growth from 1.4 to 1.6 is minimal.  In fact, it may not have really grown at all, but rather the tests measured it differently.  But, since you have had it since 2008, I think it is time to get it out of there.   Invasive ovarian cancer grows much more quickly than that so I don't think you have to worry about having had invasive ovca for all of these years.  Some types of complex cysts can become malignant, so it is better not to leave a complex cyst for years.  From the size of that cyst, I doubt it is the cause of your symptoms.  

Have you had pelvic MRI?  That seems a likely next step to rule out other causes of your symptoms and to get a better picture of your cyst.  It is doubtful that the cyst is related to your breast calcifications.  A small number of women have a hereditary gene called BRCA that does link the two cancers.  But, if you don't have a family history of the two cancers, this is less likely.  Hopefully, your doctor will have an action plan if your cyst is persisting.  Good luck to you!

[kcd86]

I am sorry you have to go threw this it is very stressfull to have this hanging over your head. Keep in mind most cysts are benign!!  Since your transvaginal sonogram(TV) showed a complex cysts on your ovaries warrants a very thourough work up to rule out any other potential issues.
My wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010 and I know what it feels like to not know what the next step is. Here is a quick overview.

Tests like sonograms, Cat scans and MRI's along with blood tests like CA125, Inhibin A&B, MIS and CEA are just used as a guides for the Dr's to help assist in making a diagnoses(Dx). A transvaginal ultrasound (TV) is the most valuable diagnostic study in the evaluation of an adnexal or pelvic mass/suspicious cysts.  
An MRI is usually the next test that should be given as they are more precise when read by the right radiologist.
The blood test CA-125 is a test used by Dr's as a guide to determine if you have the most common form of ovarian cancer, approximately 80% of all ovarian cancers are epitheal ovarian cancer which is cancer of the cells on the surface of your ovary. Please keep in mind that CA-125 can be elevated if your menstruating and some other cuases of inflamation..
Unfortunately with any type of suspected ovarian mass/tumor/ suspicious cyst(s) surgery will be the only way for the Dr's too make a definitive Dx. It is NOT recommended to biopsy any ovarian mass/tumor/suspicious cyst as it can rupture and seed the pelvis with cancer cells if that what it turns out to be.  Please make sure you have your blood drawn for the following blood tests,Inhibin A&B, CA125 and CEA so at the very least you have baseline blood work.
Since there is some suspicion based on your TV-sonogram I would immediately find a good GYN/Oncologist surgeon. I am not suggesting what you have is cancer but studies have shown that treatment of ovarian cancer by nongynecologic oncologists and by low volume surgeons is associated with suboptimal surgical management. I would reccomend going to a large tiertiary hopsital where they see large volumes of patients.  This is not to make you worry even more but to make sure that the Dr who treats you has vast experience with diagnosing and treating various types of GYN / Onc issues if that is what it turns out to be. If the Dr wants to remove the cyst/mass via laprascopic procedure PLEASE make sure they have much experience with removing these INTACT! All too often I read posts from patients who say their Dr thought it was a cyst and removed it haphazardly causing a rupture and seeding of the pelvis with cancer cells, only to be found on pathology post removal.
Next: From experience I would be asking for an MRI of the abdomen/pelvis ,MRI's are very precise when read by a Radiologist that specializes in GYN/ONC, My wife went to a radiology practice that does all types of MRI's and the Radiologist read her MRI as a fibroid. I then took her to Sloan Kettering in NYC to see a GYN/ONC surgeon Dr Carol Brown who had the MRI repeated by a GYN/ONC Radiologist who called her DX to the tee which was confirmed after surgery.
The best advice you see all over these posts is you have to be your own advocate, be aggresive and stay on top of your phycicians. Get copies of all your tests/results as you are entitled to them. Post with any other questions you have this site has some very knowledgeable people on it. I wish you all the best.
Kevin
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