complex cyst vs ovarian cancer

[DonnaM45]

I recently was seen by a gyno regarding left abdominal pain that I have been having for at least 6 months. Two years ago I had a small cyst on my left ovary per pelvic ultrasound. I have not been back to a gyno until recently.  My MD recommended an ultrasound which showed 2 ovarian complex cysts, multi cystic mass with calc & irregular edges and color.  The largest cyst is 4.3 x 4.4 x 3.7.  She recommended a CA125 test which came back as 14.  I have been referred to a gyno -oncologist but he is booked for a month before I can see him.  I had a hysterectomy because of multiple large fibroid tumors in 1999 but retained my ovaries. The ultrasound revealed my right ovary was 4.4 x 2.8 x 2.4 cm and the left one was 8.5 x 5.4 x 6.2 cm.  there was no fluid (ascites) seen on ultrasound.  The tech said that I had multiple cysts on my left ovary.  The MD gave me copies of the ultra sound also showing only the left ovaries--- to take to the oncologist. My doctor told me that the cysts were only on my right ovary.  I asked her again because the tech said it was on the left and the majority of the pain is on my left.  She looked at the printouts again and said it was the right.  My first question is why would she say it is on the right ovary - is it looked at differently in the medical world and if not why is my pain on the left?  My second question is.., Can I be more relaxed now that the CA125 came back as only 14? By the info that I gave you above, is it likely that it could still be cancer?  Years ago my sister had an 11 pound benign ovarian cyst.  Are cysts hereditary? I am 45 years old.  I have pain on my left side.  The pain is more severe when I have to urinate and my bladder is full.  It is also more painful when I need to empty my bowels. I used to have severe IBS with loose bowels.  Most often now, I am very constipated. Is this normal? I also cannot stand for long periods of time due to the pain and feeling as though my insides are going to fall out.  I feel like I am 4 months pregnant. Is this normal for cysts? ovarian cancer?  I have been pregnant 6 times and had 3 live births and 3 miscarriages (spontaneous). I guess my question to you is whether you think it is likely cancer or a benign cyst?  What does the irregular edges and color mean? Will they do a biopsy on the cysts or just surgery?  How soon do you think he will want to do the surgery once I see him? Will it be okay to wait or should it be immediate? Thank you!

[Lela123]

Thanks for all the information posted to Donna.Theres another one of us
with so called endometrium tumor or cysts.I think there is 4 total.One is 5cm. I am in constant pain and having to wait 20 days to see the specialist. It does seem the best solution is the laparascopic surgery and hope they don't come back!!  What is the down time on this procedure 3-4 days??Lisa

[DonnaM45]

Thank you for your words of encouragement.  It's hard to wait to know anything.  My appointment is in a couple of weeks so hopefully it will be good news; but I don't know if it's in my head now because I know "something" is wrong now or not but my pain has increased and the swelling has increased.  When is your laporatomy? Keep me posted and good luck.

[Nursemommy34]

Wow. We are in a very similar boat.
I don't really count on CA125's that don't have a history to show a pattern.  Just consider it  a base line.  Now, say you have another one next month and it's 50, well then that just might be a heads up.  Lots of hormonal things can tinker with CA125.
All the stuff with your symptom location vs Doc's location..did you ask her to reverberate on that?  She might have miss spoken, or, depending on the size of the image and how magnified it was, she might have had it backwards.
My kid gets lots of imaging done.  You'd be surprised how many times this happens.
About complex cysts:  Mine is only 4cm, and is only 1 cyst. It is complex.  I'm having a laparotomy to take it out, diagnose the cyst, and have everything else checked out while they are in there.
Cysts, as far as I have read, I did find something about introducing a syringe through the abdomen to sample fluid from a simple cyst. I don't think any good thinking Doc would want to open pandora's box and let it posssibly leak into your abdominal cavity.
Do yourself a big favor and be your own representative. Waiting only lets you loose the upper hand.  Get the thing(s) out, find out what's going on with them so you can stop worrying.
All of your symptoms and changes could be related to the ovarian cysts, but they could also be from changes in your anatomy related to your hysterectomy.  
This puts more reason into getting a propper diagnosis.
If your surgeon says you should have a laprascopic surgery, this is the least invasive way to remove a cyst.  It just involves poke holes (while you are totally out).  A poke for a skinny camera tube, a couple pokes for skinny manipulating instruments, a poke for a suction tube.  When you wake up, you'll be on pain meds mainly for the pain in your shoulder from the gas they puff your belly up with.  Your cysts will go to the lab, probably with any liquids they suctioned out to get a good diagnosis.  If your surgeon says laparotomy, then everythings the same with taking out the cysts and diagnosis, but recovery is more like when you had your hysterectomy or a c section.  I read this elsewhere, so I'm not concerned about pain.  I had a 2 c sections and 1 was twins.
I hope you find out that your troubles have ended..if not, at least you know you did everything as fast as you could, so you can take care of it as fast as possible.
I am still up in the air, as are you.
Good luck.
Nursemommy34