2 year old unmonitored functional cyst?

Hi! I had my second baby 11 months ago; while pregnant an ultrasound scan at 9 weeks detected a functional cyst which I was monitored for with regular scans. It got to about 7-8cm and then stayed that size between check ups so they told me to leave it, and it would most likely resolve itself once I had the baby. I think there might have been mention of seeing a doctor 6 months after the birth if I still had symptoms, to have another scan to check it.

So, I haven't really had too many symptoms so I have just left it seeing as the doctors were so unconcerned, but over the last month or two I have been getting the same pain again in the same place, bloating, nausea, sluggish digestive system and feeling 'heavy'. Have been referred for another scan but will likely wait 6-8 weeks for it (UK NHS system).

Having googled I am now regretting leaving it and wishing I had had more regular checks of it! Is it possible for a simple cyst to develop into a complex, or cancerous one over this long period of time? I will have had this cyst for nearly 2 years now at least and all of the info I have read seems to suggest having a functional cyst for longer than a few menstrual cycles can suggest a more serious problem?

Is it worth paying to have a scan done more quickly do you think?

[MarieMichele]

If a cyst is really malignant, it is likely that way from the beginning.  As I was told, benign cysts do not "become" cancer.  They can, however, get bigger and start to cause symptoms. That may be what you are experiencing.

[cherrycandy2010]

Thank you MarieMichele. I waited for the scan, they found that the cyst is now 11cm. Saw my GP for the results and have been referred to a gynae under the NHS urgent 2 week 'suspected cancer' referral rules, I attend that tomorrow.

Great to get seen so quickly although I am unsure of why I have fallen under the 2 week thing. Could be just that they see all cysts of a certain size, or maybe there was something on the scan that meant they couldn't rule it out. GP couldn't tell me.

Have read enough on the subject now to understand just how low the chances of cancer are so I'm not too concerned, will be glad to get tomorrow over with though!

One thing I wonder whether anyone on here can shed any light on is why the sonographer might have asked me about 10 times when my period was due. Over and over again like it was highly relevant? Double checking my answer, triple checking. Confused me a bit. My periods are pretty irregular so I didn't have an answer, and my period started the very next day. Could that of influenced the cautious referral perhaps?

I look about 5 months pregnant and I'm starting to struggle a bit with some of my symptoms so either way glad to get the ball rolling :-)

[Sconnie]

Hi, I had a 10cm cyst found at the end of October, suspected Endometrioma or Hemoraghic cyst.  I too live in the UK and from the day of my scan, I was called back into the hospital 2 days later to see my Gyno.  2 weeks after that I was having surgery.  However its not turned out as I had planned, my Gyno only ended up draining he cyst (He said it looked benign and he was taking a conservative approach to save my ovary), although the yellow fluid they drained from it is benign, he said it was the normal fluid of a functional cyst.  So now I am worried the sac left in is untoward.  I have another scan tomorrow to check it.  I wish he had just take the thing.  They did mention it could be a dermoid, which it worrying if they drained a dermoid that size, as there is a chance of malignancy in large dermoids.
What did your radiology report say?  Normally they will tell you if they have echoes or not, a cyst without echoes is likely to be a normal functional cyst that will go away by itself.  

I think it is standard that with large cysts that size they turn them around quickly, regardless of what its contents is.  

Maybe the sonographer was asking about your period because Corpus lutems cyst, which developed after an egg is released and stay during part of pregnancy, but subside when the egg isnt fertilised and you have your period.  These can become quite large and bleed into themselves (from the blood vessels bursting) and they are then termed a hemorraghic cyst, they can cause pain and burning sensation from seeping blood, the ultrasound will show echoes from retraced blood clots, this maybe is what you have - the corpus luteum from pregnancy has turned into a a hemorraghic cyst.  I maybe completely wrong, but they are possibilities and are benign cysts.

I hope you get a resolution soon and dont have dragged out like I have on the NHS! I will probably have to have another surgery!

Best Wishes
Yvonne

[Sconnie]

Sorry correction on reading my last post, the fluid drained was NOT the same kind of fluid you see in a function cyst! and they dont know eactly what it is.

[cherrycandy2010]

Thanks for your reply Yvonne, that is fast action in your case, I'm sorry the surgery has left you worrying though. Fingers crossed your scan goes well tomorrow!

I haven't seen my radiology report and the GP made out as though there was hardly any info on the report he had, as though he had nothing to tell me? I heard the sonographer tell her student colleague that there was no healthy ovary on the affected side at all, but that the right ovary seemed unaffected- apart from the size that is all I know.

Thanks for mentioning the hemorraghic cyst possibility, I have googled like crazy and not really found much to explain it but that would make sense, especially as I seem to be really poorly for a few weeks and then totally fine for a few more?

I guess all will be revealed for us both tomorrow! Good luck Yvonne!

[cherrycandy2010]

Had a good appt today. Saw registrar who took my history, gave me an internal exam, and explained my ultrasound results in more detail.

The cyst is still mainly fluid filled but with a small solid mass in the middle of it, and a blood supply. Took the C-125 and a CE (?) blood test and booked me for a CT scan on Monday. He explained that they simply need to gather as much information as possible before deciding how best to approach the removal.

Said removal surgery would be done 'within a couple of months'.