Question for Raven-lady or anyone who can help about 'no fluid in cul-de-sac'

[brilyn]

My second opinion of my U/S said the cyst is 4.8 cm, on my right ovary.  It stated "Large complex cystic mass, most likely a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst; with no fluid in the cul-de-sac".  Is that good that theres no fluid?  Any answers are appreciated.

Thanks a milion

Brilyn :)

[brilyn]

Thank you so much for the replies!  Linda, I have learned more from your explanations, than the bad interpretation the P.A. gave me; I truly appreciate you helpful description and information.  I am releived and believe it or not, will sleep a lot better while waiting for my MRI results to come in.  The P.A. scared the heck out of me!  Lets just say, she jumped to conclusions over an ultrasound and started throwing out words like cancer, chemotherapy, radiation, etc.  I had my 4 year old with me and could barely drive home after my visit.  I really appreciate the help and answers; it means a lot to me.  I will update you on my MRI results this week.  

xoxox Brilyn

[dalip]

wow. where did you learn all that!. i thought i knew a lot but you people know everything(good job too),im not worried anymore just curious.Thanks

[dalip]

if complex cyst is from ovulation,then what is simple cyst(you seem to know the answers)as i have one and thought they were from ovulation. Sorry to but in(hope you don't mind brylin)but curious.Thanks

[RavenLady]

Good Morning Ladies,
     Linda is correct about functional cysts.  Every time we ovulate, a bit of a competition goes on between the follicules on our ovaries to emit the egg.  The losers somtimes don't resolve within the cycle and seal off as Linda mentioned.  These start out as simple cysts and look like a round bubble filled with fluid.  These usually resolve within a couple of cycles but can rupture causing the fluid in the cul de sac.  These simple cysts can remain through several cycles, like the hemmorahgic cysts and change shape no longer retaining the bubble shape.  Septations, or creases, form on the surface.  Imagine a balloon with a rubber band around it, thats when a cysts is catagorised as complex.  The two month watch and wait is fairly standard.  Surgery is cocnsidered for complex cysts that are 5cm (just under 2 inches).  The fluid or lack thereof is noted because although it does reabsorb, can be the source of pain.  Hang in there Brilyn and Dawn and take Linda's advice, don't panic!  MV

[LindaF]

Good there is no fluid in the cul-de-sac though a small amount is usually ovulation. What they usually do with a hemmoraghic cyst is give it two months then re-check cause these usually begin to shrink in that time. Complex simply means that it isn't a fluid-filled bubble. Even seeing some debris in the cyst, usually blood, on ultrasound makes it complex. With a hemmoragic cyst, it simply means that the sac you ovulated from (or didn't) called the corpus luteum, instead of disappearing, simply sealed itself off and grew instead due to bleeding into itself, etc. These can be common believe it or not. They might offer you a two month course of birth control pills - these are not to actively shrink the existing cyst as much as they serve to halt ovulation and stop others from forming and confusing the issue.

At this point, I wouldn't really panic as the chances of cancer are pretty remote. If they just discovered it, a wait-and-see for two months isn't unreasonable in the slightest. From there they should re-evaluate. I had a benign cystadenoma that eventually was surgically removed (I wanted my tubes tied as well). It didn't disappear, nor grow, nor shrink, just kinda sat there. I have had other cysts that have resolved so the benefit of the two month wait-and-see is there.

Linda

[RavenLady]

I learned it right here, from my Cysters just as you are doing now.  We of the battalion pay it forward as I am sure you will too!  MV

[LindaF]

Ravenlady is 100% right in her explanation. Both cysts come from the ovulatory process. Some types of persistent cysts like dermoids are formed from egg cells (also called germ cells) that go awy and develop all crazy. Other times new growths such as cyadenomas develop which won't spontaneously dissappear but can cause havoc if they get two big. These can become borderline as well over time it is speculated. Other times (rarely) cancer does develop and while it's true one can't know till biopsy, there are characteristic appearances on ultrasound that make radiologists/doctors suspicious.

Linda

[dalip]

thanks still confused(slightly) but will keep watching and learning.I am so glad i found the cysters and this forum. Thanks again.

[brilyn]

Whats a complex cyst? is that bad ?  I'm scared