Ovarian Cyst, Tumor, & other questions/symptoms

[Kimism]

I am 33. In Dec I started having severe lower back pain & went to my GP In Feb. He did an ultrasound & found that I had a 2 cm ovarian cyst. GYN put me on 3 months of bc pills. Since last month I have been spotting for a week every 2 weeks. From Dec to currently I have had continuous lower back pain. Sometimes it is bearable but at other times it is unbearable. Last Sat I started developing lower right sided tenderness that became extreme. ER visit this Mon. They did a CT Scan. ER doc told me that I had a 3 cm cyst on left ovary & a 4 cm tumor on right ovary. My GYN saw me yesterday & said that the left cyst is 3.3 cm & right tumor 4.5 cm. Said it only showed enlargement of the right ovary but upon pelvic he said the left ovary is just as enlarged & that they are extrememly enlarged. White blood count is elevated & I have severe inflamation inside. Said something about my lymph nodes but I don't remember what. Lower abdomin pain started last Sat & during that same week I also started having nausia. Left sided pain has since subsided but lower back pain is immense. I have been flat on my back since last week. I have been taking two hydrocodone pills a time. After pelvic exam yesterday my stomach is very tender in addition to the abd pain.  GYN did the blood work for the CA 125 test but has me scheduled for surgery this Friday so not for sure if he'll have it back by then. I have also been having cold night sweats which were really bad back in Feb & are now only occasionally. About 7 years ago I had stage 1 dysplasia & had my cervix frozen and scaped. All of my paps have been normal. My mother had to have a total hysterectomy when she was in her early 30's due to having all 4 stages of dysplasia. I'm really worried w/ all the GYN told me today & w/ my symptoms that things aren't looking good for me. Does this sound like it may be cancerous? Also I have been having severe acid reflux.

[Margie42]

I have had 8 chemo treatments with Taxal/Carboplatin. Finished June 10th, my Ca 125 is 7 was 817 before surgery. My CT showed that the largest tumor 4.2 x 3.2 x 4.8 cm is less then half the size  2.3 x 3.2 x 2.3 cm, the other tumor was 1.6 cm, is now 6mm the other samall ones is gone. My exam was clear and good, my doctor could not find any signs of the tumor that he could feel before. I go back to my doctor Sept.3 and see what we will do next, he says maybe 3 more chemo treatments with the same drugs or maybe he will change them. We will see what my CA125 is and another exam. My question is should I wait that long to go and get more treatment or would it be a good idea to go back now. I did really good on the treatments and my CA went down to 7 after my 3rd treatment and has stayed there I am feeling good and am getting back to myself. I think my blood count is getting back to normal. My doctor says he can't say there is any active cancer there now.

[djmommo]

A related discussion, what to do? was started.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Margie:
it sounds like you are doing very well. Your doctor is doing a great job and is being very careful with you. Sometimes it is a good idea to let your bone marrow have a chance to recharge. 6 weeks is not a long periods of time. September sounds just right for a repeat evaluation
best wishes

Dear Barniegirl,
You are connected with the medical system and are getting a good evaluation. Those ovarian cysts seem mighty small to me and I find it hard to understand how they could cause your pain. But with the careful evaluation that you have had, when the problem persists, surgery is good next option. At the time of surgery, your doctor can take a really good look around. Perhaps you have a chronic appendicitis or endometriosis or an inflamed fallopian tube. Those can all cause abdominal pain.
best wishes for a good surgery and resolution to your troubles.

[Barniegirl1965]

Hello, I am 43 yrs.old; I had a hysterectomy in 2006 (leaving ovaries/tubes).  I have recently become very ill.  Started with SEVERE low back pain radiating into the flank area, came down wth tonsilitis to top it off.  Given antibi's for the tonsilitis, substitue Dr. pretty much ignored the low back complaints, given antibiotics for tonsiltis.  Ended up unable to move or sit.. couldn't stand on my own, fever, severe low back pain.  Hubby took me to ER, given different antibi's for tonsils..sent home!! URRRRRR  Went back to Dr. due to SEVERE low back pain.  This time my Dr. I am recent new patient to this physician's office) and he checked me out!!! YAY!! Blood work came back w/elevated white cells (22,000{normal 5-10,000}). He checked my appendix..right side VERY tender, sent for CT that day.  Came back appendix normal size, free fld. in pelvic cul-de-sac, stating most likely from ruptured ovarian cyst.  The my doc sent me in for a transvag.U.S. immediately, the findings are:  dominent structure of (R)ovary measures: 13x15x8 mm, possible cyst.  Left ovary shows a more hypoechoic component measure: 18x13x14 mm; states hypoechoic areas of the ovaries bilaterally, no free fluid seen, follow up to resolution of these may be of value.  HELP!! What does this mean?  I am very worried.  My doctor has scheduled an appointment with gyno that did my hysterectomy.. next wk, and it's killing me to find information on what this could be.  Any help with be so helpful.  Thank you..

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
it sounds like you are getting excellent care. From your description, I mostly wonder about an infection in your fallopian tubes. The second possibility is a twist of a benign ovarian cyst which is called torsion. That can cause your pain.
Surgery is very reasonable.
best wishes with everything