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What percentage of complex cysts are benign?

I have just had an ultrsound been told that I have two cysts (one complex) on my right ovary. The test also found a fibroid. My doctor is not concerned about the Fibroid (not sure why not?) but is concerned about the complex cyst. I'm having a CAT-scan next week. I also have severe bloating and gas which I have discoverd is a symptom of the cyst. What I'm curious about is how likely this cyst is to be benign with all this bloating? Also whether I should be pushing for a laparoscopy along with the CAT-scan or if the CAT-scan is enough to determine whether or not it is cancerous. Thanks. I'm just scared, 37 years old, have no cancer in my direct family, and still want to have kids! Thanks for all this information on the site. You women sound amazing and just reading makes me feel better.
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, Surgery date September 11 complex cyst was started.
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A related discussion, Think I need to talk to someone confused at what to do was started.
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Hello,
I have a question.  I was just told that I have a complex cyst on my right ovary, they said the ovary is 33 x 33 x 30 and the cyst is 21 x 31 x 32.  These measurements came from a vaginal ultrasound. How big is that?  I think it was ML?  Not sure.  I have to schedule a repeat in 6 weeks.  My left overy is 22 x 17 x 21 and the cyst is 10 x 12 x 20.  It sounds like it is almost the entire ovary, but I do not know what the size of the ovary is suppose to be in these kind of measurements.  Can someone please help me sort it out.
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167426 tn?1254086235
You must remember that 99% of all cysts, tumors are benign,  the cyst is still small and altho it has grown a little, and might be complex,  it can still be removed by scope with very little concern for the baby.  I agree with  dian07 you should be in the hands of an OB/GYN/Onocologist. Dian saying that you have one chance to get it right means that the earlier you find OVCA the better your chances of survival is.  If this were me, I would have the scope done,  to rule out  the cancer and then go on to term and deliver your baby.  You will be fine,
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Avatar universal
I did not see this reply before I posted my own independent thread on the matter, so I apologize if you're seeing this story twice.  I am beyond scared right now.

I will ask my OB when I talk to her tomorrow about having a gyn/onc involved.  I am not sure I understand why there is just one chance to get this right; obviously, they cannot do a hysterectomy or anything like that should this be cancer, b/c of the baby...it seems like anything they might do right now (if it's cancer) would be a bandaid, and then they'd have to go in and do more surgery after the baby reaches term and can be delivered. Maybe I am completely wrong on that.
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Avatar universal
I can certainly understand your anxieties.  My advice to you would be to consult with a gyn/oncologist.  Not because this is cancer but becaust this is exactly what these people are trained to do....YOU HAVE ONE CHANCE TO GET THIS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME....you absolutely must  be seen by a gyn/oncologist, and, if there is any type of surgery that is who you need to have do it.....I can't stress that enough...no matter what your gyn says.....you must have a gyn/oncologist involved.  Please keep us posted.
Peace.
dian
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Avatar universal
Hello...I have found several posts related to ovarian cancer on this site in my searches over the past couple of days.

Here's my situation: I'm 36 years old. Back in February (just before I turned 36), I went to my OB because my husband and I had been trying for months to get pregnant, with no success.  At that time, my OB had an ultrasound performed, and a 32mm (3.2cm) fluid-filled cyst was found on my left ovary, and my left tube was dilated and fluid-filled (hydrosalpinx).  The dr. suggested at that time that we do a laparoscopy to remove the cyst, and possibly the ovary and tube (this was with an aim towards improving my fertility).  She also ran a CA125 at that time, which came back negative.

I dragged my feet on having the lap done, and in May, found myself pregnant.  I have had several sonograms so far during this pregnancy, with the sonographer monitoring the size of the cyst all along. The ultrasound measurements of the cyst showed it getting smaller or staying about the same.

Well, yesterday, at 23 weeks pregnant, I went in for another sonogram (because I'd had spotting the day before). The sonographer looked at the cyst for a long time, and then, after assuring me that the baby was ok, she sent me to wait for my OB.  Well, my OB dropped the bomb that the cyst has enlarged (it is now roughly 36mm--3.6cm), and now has solid parts, which makes it "worrisome."

They want the cyst to come out NOW, which means that by the end of next week, I will be having surgery to remove the ovary, and in the days leading up to the surgery, I will get steroids to help mature the tiny baby girl's lungs, in case I go into pre-term labor.

I have not been able to eat in 24 hours, because I am so sick with worry.  Worried about losing this baby, or worse, having an extremely premature baby with profound disabilities as a result. But I'm worried more for myself right now.  I have a little boy who's almost 4, and I don't want to die of ovarian cancer and leave him and my husband and the soon-to-be baby all alone.
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140437 tn?1215109742
Oh my god MickeyVicki when did you come back? how are you? where ya been? and things

Anna X
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the nice words. I finally got back to read the response.  I'm feeling better now that I've met the surgeon, who was really reassuring and nice and said there was no indication that it was problematic. I'm scheduled for surgery and had my pre-op today. I'm hoping it will be easy and complication-free and I can go straight to being pampered post-operation!
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232077 tn?1218423343
I just went through what you're going through about a few weeks ago.

I had my cyst discovered during a US for something else and it turned out to be a 6cm complex cyst with a nodule. Two weeks later another US showed that I had another complex cyst on my right ovary that was also 6cm. My US report said that cystic malignancy could not be excluded.

I was terrified. I'm also a hypochondriac which makes things far worse. I cried constantly and hardly slept. I too had never had surgery (aside from wisdom teeth) and was even crying as they wheeled me up to the OR. You can get a sedative before they put you under. After you get that you're in lala land. Then they wheel you in the OR put the oxygen mask on you and before you can even blink you're out like a light.

My cysts ended being benign although I did lose my left ovary. Of course I also had endometriosis too. I think you will be fine. Lots of women go through this and it's normal to be scared! No wants surgery after all.

Feel free to read a lot of my posts as well because like I said I went through what you're going through so it may help.

Keep in touch!
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Avatar universal
I know this thread is old but I've just found it. I've been diagnosed with a complex ovarian cyst of 4 cm on my right ovary. It was found a few months ago while doing an ultrasound for something else that turned out to be nothing. The doctor took a wait and see apporach, and since it's still there (but has not grown) she recommends that it be removed laproscopically. I don't have any pain or discomfort, but I'm really scared. Besides the fact that I've never had surgery, I'm 34 and have no children but would still like to, and don't need anything lowering my fertility at this age!  I have an appointment with a gynecological oncologist next week, and even the name of the doctor's speciality scares me. The posts on this thread have been really comforting, but I think I'm going to continue to be scared nonetheless. Thanks.
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Avatar universal
I had three kids and I had one ovary. One can do the job of two no problem.
Katie
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Avatar universal
I had a complex cyst on my right ovary in 2003, and like you, I was scared to death.  The ultrasound showed it to be dense and the size of a grapefruit.  I ended up having to have a hysterectomy and it turned out to be a "mucous-producing cysteoadenoma - benign".  My doctor said when she got in there it had basically "slimed" my insides.  Not very appetizing, but it could have certainly been worse.
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Avatar universal
Neents, Why did you have a hysterectomy? Why didn't they just remove the cyst alone? I'm curious because I still would like to have children one day if I can.
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May I ask, as you mentioned the CA 125 test, did you have the test and what was the result?  Just curious if in your case it was elevated.
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Avatar universal
The actual statistic for  malignant complex cysts  runs along a date line from a low of 1-2% up to  a high of 3-5%, with certain data indicative of a high up to 8%.  It is a very complex 'grading' system.

So, what does that mean...that stating a cyst is complex is not a indication of cancer by any means.   There are other descriptions of an ovarian mass, such as size, age, thickness of septations,  solid components, growth to other tissues, and the like that make the statistics meaningful.   The doctor would first need to run further tests, and then still perform surgery to determine if the cyst is malignant.  

The bottom line is that I went into surgery in 2004 with a large complex mass with solid components and thick septations and growths to adjacent tissues that had "cancer written all over it"...and it was benign.  

As for the fibroid, yes, its discovery is much ado about nothing.  Fibroids are virtually never malignant, and mostly cause extra bleeding with the menstrual cycle; fibroids are very common at your age.
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Avatar universal
Great to know. Could you explain why they remove the whole ovary and not just the cyst?
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Avatar universal
That mean old cyst had effectively destroyed any healthy ovarian tissue.  The ovary was shot.  I probably had the cyst for a long time. The other ovary had small fluid filled cysts too, but they just popped them and left it, as I was only in my teens. My doc was a HUGE believer in leaving in ovaries.
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Avatar universal
My CA125 before my cancer was removed was 66.  After my first surgery (I only had the one bad ovary and tube removed (complex cyst had grown into tube)my CA125 bounced around but never got over 50.  A year and half after that surgery I had a TAH and my CA125 has been below 10 since although i have not had the blood test recently.

Debbie
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Avatar universal
Gee, eh, so in your case, it was elevated and it was nasty. So maybe that test at times is more reliable than they claim. Gosh you are so young to have had to go through that.
Take care, Love, Katie
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Avatar universal
You gals are amazing! I just woke up (I'm a Canadian living in California), and found all this incredible feedback. Thanks so much. I'm not convinced my cysts are going away on their own (just from the reading I did on the net last night so now I think I'm an expert!!!) but I've had huge bloating and gas since January and it doesn't seem to be going away at all. Even if it is from the fibroid I'm not sure I could live with this as I look like I'm pregnant and I am a fart machine (OK Robin, "classy gassy gal"). I did some research about bloating last month and I had thought I had IBS, so I avoided going to the doctor. Finally a friend who had dermoids removed last year recommended I get it checked out professionally. I'm glad my (female) doc was cautious and made me do ultrasound. I will ask her to do a CA125. I'm not sure if I have fluid in my abdomen or what size it is but will ask. I'm curious if debdsk8gld, you can still get pregnant with just one ovary? And why would they remove the whole ovary and not just the cyst? All the best to LoLo. Thinking of you.
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Avatar universal
I too have just been told I have a complex cyst and a fibroid! Everyone here has been really supportive & informative. My Dr. has told me that 98% of these things resolve on their own and I'm having another ultrasound in a month. I too am having all those symptoms & my cyst is only 2 cm and my fibroid is .9 mm so...I know how you are feeling...I'm extremely anxious about the whole situation too!
Hang in there!
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Avatar universal
God Speed LoLo~
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Avatar universal
I am off to surgery! I am scared but who wouldn't be? Have a good day ladies! see you on the other side
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