Size of complex cyst and ovarian cancer

[mesterm29]

I have been diagnosed with a complex cyst on my left ovary and am scheduled for surgury in three weeks. I'm told there is a 15% chance of this cyst being cancerous. Does a larger size cyst mean that my chances for it being malignant are lower? My cyst measures 11.5cm...if it were to be cancerous, wouldn't it have ruptured by this point?

[ni]

Just a quick ? for you.  Did they say that your cysts has others in it as well?  Read my post below-

Gina

[mesterm29]

no, it is just one complex cyst.

[Janie Mack]

I had a large complex cyst on my left ovary (10.5 cm)removed last year.  It turned out to be a benign dermoid cyst that contained hair, skin and a tooth!  Wierd but apparently not uncommon and almost never cancer. Dermoids can get very large if left untreated and the size does not mean it is more likely to be malignant.  It is advisable to get these cysts removed to be sure as wel as to avoid a twist or torsion down the road.

[chelan2]

Actually I remember reading somewhere that larger cysts are actually more likely to not be cancer.  

With any chance of your complex cyst of being cancer please, please have a gynologist oncologist do the surgery or ask that one be on call - just in case. Regular Gyn are not the ones you want to do the surgery.  A gyn-onc specializes in these tumors and is a women's best chance at recovering from ovarian cancer but is BEST if it's done with the first surgery.  Also, ask for a frozen section pathology.  My complex cyst (was 6cm) didn't appear to be cancer but the frozen section pathology diagnosed it as a LMP stage 1 ovarian cancer.  

Let us know how you make out.
Chelan