Need advice...

[jfem4]

I'm 42 and 2 years ago I started having bloating,( upper abdominal) changes in bowels, feeling full...MD did full blood work up. CA-125 was 8. GI did colonoscopy and found ulcerative colitis/proctitis, as well as s dysfunctional gallbladder. Since starting meds, and changing my diet, the bloating is gone, and I';m working on the other stuff..

I made them do an ultrasound ( they laughed and called me crazy)..anyway...it was "unremarkable", no fluid, no cysts, etc...
THis year at my gyn exam, she sent me for an US because she thought my uterus felt enlarged. US was fine, and uterus was normal.
Last month I had mid-cycle terrible rt side pain, thought it was appendix, called gyn, she had me come in. I was smack in the middle of my cycle.
US found a "corpus leuteal" cyst?? GYN an MD that read the report said it was a normal finding and would explain the pain.
The pain went away for the most part,  but I still get a pulling feeling...and still slight pain...nothing like 2 weeks ago, but still there...

My question is if I call the MD and she blows it off, what should I do?? WHat else can they do to make sure it's not ovarian cancer?
I've had 3 ultrasounds in 2 years ( all were transvaginal)...wouldn't they have seen the cancer if it's there by now??

I'm sorry to ask such stupid questions, but I read alot and understand the "silent" symptoms..I just don't want to be regretting something...

Thanks in advance.

[cirella]

If you are concerned, I would ask your gyn to do a folowup ultrasound in a month, after you've gone through another cycle.  If it's a functioning cyst, then it will go away. I always request copies of both the doctor visit and ultrasound report.  That way if you go to another doctor you will have it all in hand.  You can also compare the reports.  All you have to do is sign a request letter.  They are yours, anyway.  

I've been having symptoms for 6 months and I've asked my gyn to do followup ultrasounds since the beginning of Oct.  I've had 2 and will have another in Feb.  My cyst, although small, showed up on CT and ultrasound so because of my other symptoms I want to make sure it isn't growing.  But I'm going to ask for a laparoscopy so that I can be sure it isn't anything more serious.  My symptoms are: feeling full after not eating too much, bloated, dull ache in abdomen, backache/hip ache, weight loss and painful sex.  My periods have also been messed up but I had my right ovary and a cyst removed in Nov 2006.  Not sure if hormones have anything to do with the weird periods.

[jfem4]

Thank you for repsonding to my questions....

I guess I was just scared that they missed something...

Do you think I should have a repeat to see of the cyst is gone? I mean, can they tell for sure that it's a functional cyst and not one to worry about??

You mentioned that the  only way to tell if it's OC is to biopsy, if they were suspicious, they would have said for me to come back right?

[cirella]

Hi, You're not asking stupid questions.  You're concerned and it's OK to ask.

It sounds as if you have functioning cysts if they are coming and going.  We get them every month.  The ultrasound would only pick up abnormalities but cancer can only be discovered by biopsy.  Cysts and things can look suspicious but until they go in and look, they won't know for sure.  Have you ever been diagnosed with endometriosis?  That may explain the pain.

I'm sorry your doctor laughed at you.  That's not nice.  If your pain persists each month I would tell your GYN.  If they don't take you seriously then look for another doctor.

Take care

[hopeshell]

The cyst you described is considered a functional cyst and normal as a part of menstruation.  It is not the type that is worrisome for ovarian cancer.  Since your CA-125 is normal and you have had 3 normal transvaginal ultrasounds - my opinion is that you don't have ovarian cancer.   It is "silent" in that it doesn't cause enough problems to be checked until it has grown and spread.  I think pretty much all of us who were dx had abnormal transvaginal ultrasounds.  You could have endometriosis which would cause those pulling pains you are describing.  Just follow up with your regular annual exams and you should be ok unless you have a different or persisting symptoms beyond the mid-cycle pain.  I think you have done all you could do to rule out ovca for now.  Good luck.

[hopeshell]

The cyst you described is considered a functional cyst and normal as a part of menstruation.  It is not the type that is worrisome for ovarian cancer.  Since your CA-125 is normal and you have had 3 normal transvaginal ultrasounds - my opinion is that you don't have ovarian cancer.   It is "silent" in that it doesn't cause enough problems to be checked until it has grown and spread.  I think pretty much all of us who were dx had abnormal transvaginal ultrasounds.  You could have endometriosis which would cause those pulling pains you are describing.  Just follow up with your regular annual exams and you should be ok unless you have a different or persisting symptoms beyond the mid-cycle pain.  I think you have done all you could do to rule out ovca for now.  Good luck.