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U/S showes 7cm cyst - doc changes strategy with no explanation
Has anyone ever had this happen?
I had an ultrasound May 31 and my doc calls on Jun 4 to say I have a 7cm ovarian cyst. She recommends a repeat ultrasound in six weeks. On Jun 15 she calls me back to say she wants me to go to a specialist -- some sort of ultrasound guru. I ask her what's up and she said she's worried "because it's so big" and that this will "put our minds at ease." I ask her if she thinks it's cancer and she says no but "never say never." So I ask if it's a complex cyst and I get a kind of vague maybe. She said if she thought something were seriously wrong she'd "have me in OR right now."
Well my insurance isn't very good right now -- it'll be better in October. And this specialist isn't in network. So I set about trying to find out WHY this sudden change in strategy, and what would be the ramifications of waiting until October for follow up. I get nothing but "do what I tell you" (in so many words) and "I don't know what's going on with you" (that fills me with confidence). I faxed my detailed questions a couple of times and was finally told by the nurse that the doc was too busy to talk to me again.
[An online search found poor ratings of this doc for bedside manner and providing info.]
The new ultrasound -- whether by the specialist guru or whatever -- will only tell whether the size of the cyst has changed, right? It says nothing about cancer, right? Is there any point to this? What are the risk factors of waiting an extra two months?
Should I trust a doc who has this attitude and won't give me info?
I have an appointment with a new GP on Monday, and I still have the appointment with the ultrasound guru on Tuesday. I'm thinking of canceling the latter.
What would you do?
I had an ultrasound May 31 and my doc calls on Jun 4 to say I have a 7cm ovarian cyst. She recommends a repeat ultrasound in six weeks. On Jun 15 she calls me back to say she wants me to go to a specialist -- some sort of ultrasound guru. I ask her what's up and she said she's worried "because it's so big" and that this will "put our minds at ease." I ask her if she thinks it's cancer and she says no but "never say never." So I ask if it's a complex cyst and I get a kind of vague maybe. She said if she thought something were seriously wrong she'd "have me in OR right now."
Well my insurance isn't very good right now -- it'll be better in October. And this specialist isn't in network. So I set about trying to find out WHY this sudden change in strategy, and what would be the ramifications of waiting until October for follow up. I get nothing but "do what I tell you" (in so many words) and "I don't know what's going on with you" (that fills me with confidence). I faxed my detailed questions a couple of times and was finally told by the nurse that the doc was too busy to talk to me again.
[An online search found poor ratings of this doc for bedside manner and providing info.]
The new ultrasound -- whether by the specialist guru or whatever -- will only tell whether the size of the cyst has changed, right? It says nothing about cancer, right? Is there any point to this? What are the risk factors of waiting an extra two months?
Should I trust a doc who has this attitude and won't give me info?
I have an appointment with a new GP on Monday, and I still have the appointment with the ultrasound guru on Tuesday. I'm thinking of canceling the latter.
What would you do?
If you were my daughter I would insist you consult with a gyn/oncologist....YOU HAVE ONE CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.....a gyn/oncologist is mandatory for the best results. I wouldn't wait two months either....a cyst that size will most likely not resolve on it's own and there is no reason to put things off. Get a referral to a gyn/oncologist...take both ultrasound reports and see what his/her advice is....if surgery is in the cards that is who you want at your side.
Peace.
dian
Peace.
dian
Thank you. I'm sorry you have a cancer diagnosis but glad it's early. God bless you.
I would strongly advise you to get a copy of your ultrasound report. You are entitled to a copy, whether it was done in your doctors office or in a hospital. I had no problems at all obtaining not only my ultrasound and CT scan reports, but my surgery and pathology reports from the hospital. I simply had to fill out a release form. That's all you should have to do as well. While your doctor may not be willing to take the time to tell you exactly what the ultrasound showed, the report will have all of that info, and will indicate what the cyst looks like, i.e. simple fluid filled, complex, any internal septations, etc.
The US cannot determine if it is/isn't cancer, only a pathology of the cyst itself can, and that generally means when it's removed during surgery. .A follow-up ultrasound is pretty normal though, as that will show if there have been any changes in the size or composition of the cyst. Mine went from a small cyst in May 2006 to a 6cm complex cyst with internal septations and papillary excrescences in Nov. 2006, and I had surgery , a TAH/BSO, in Feb 2007 for what turned out to be stage 1A ovca. I was VERY lucky to have caught it that early, and if it is cancer, the earlier it's caught the better.
Even with a cyst your size, the odds are still greatly in your favor that it's not cancer, but only when some pathology is done can that be known for certain.
I'd be inclined to go ahead and get another ultrasound done, and be sure to get a copy of that report as well, and that will show if there have been any changes. Getting a CA-125 done would aslo not be a bad idea, keeping in mind though that it also cannot rule cancer in or out, but along with other tests is useful in deciding how to proceed. If the cyst is not resolving on its own, or is getting larger or is a complex cyst, I'd strongly advise that you then get seen by a gyn oncologist. Whether it's cancer or not, and it's probably not, they are the experts in dealing with this, and in doing any surgery that might be needed.
As for your doctor, while I might be inclined to "excuse" a not so great bedside manner if I was confident the doctor was really good, I don't think there's any excuse for being unwilling to discuss your case with you, explain exactly what's going on, and answer your questions. Your health is too important to continue with a doctor who won't talk to you, or who basically blows off your questions. I'd definitely recommend getting another doctor, preferably a gyn. oncologist.
The US cannot determine if it is/isn't cancer, only a pathology of the cyst itself can, and that generally means when it's removed during surgery. .A follow-up ultrasound is pretty normal though, as that will show if there have been any changes in the size or composition of the cyst. Mine went from a small cyst in May 2006 to a 6cm complex cyst with internal septations and papillary excrescences in Nov. 2006, and I had surgery , a TAH/BSO, in Feb 2007 for what turned out to be stage 1A ovca. I was VERY lucky to have caught it that early, and if it is cancer, the earlier it's caught the better.
Even with a cyst your size, the odds are still greatly in your favor that it's not cancer, but only when some pathology is done can that be known for certain.
I'd be inclined to go ahead and get another ultrasound done, and be sure to get a copy of that report as well, and that will show if there have been any changes. Getting a CA-125 done would aslo not be a bad idea, keeping in mind though that it also cannot rule cancer in or out, but along with other tests is useful in deciding how to proceed. If the cyst is not resolving on its own, or is getting larger or is a complex cyst, I'd strongly advise that you then get seen by a gyn oncologist. Whether it's cancer or not, and it's probably not, they are the experts in dealing with this, and in doing any surgery that might be needed.
As for your doctor, while I might be inclined to "excuse" a not so great bedside manner if I was confident the doctor was really good, I don't think there's any excuse for being unwilling to discuss your case with you, explain exactly what's going on, and answer your questions. Your health is too important to continue with a doctor who won't talk to you, or who basically blows off your questions. I'd definitely recommend getting another doctor, preferably a gyn. oncologist.
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