Can I wait and see...a bit longer??

[CCorry]

I am 45 years old , with 3 children and not planning any more. About 8  months ago my doctor found a small cyst, which appears to be a "dermoid" cyst. I am much more eager to try any alternative than surgery so we have waited, and had 3 additonal sonograms to see its status. It has grown, but only slightly, it is now a bit over 4 cm in size (the last 3 sonograms it has been 3.5 or so in size). Also, my CA125 test is fine.  I am scheduled to have laparoscopy in a couple of weeks but really don't want to unless I have to. I know there are some natural treatments and would prefer to take a few more months and see if I can reduce its size or eliminate it without surgery. What advice can you give me? Can I wait? Indefinitely? Are there other options you know of?

[babyblue2449]

I have a cyst rupture every month and it is extremly painful. Have the surgery as planned. The cyst could eventually rupture or twist your ovary. And trust me that is a pain you dont want. Not trying to scare you, but i aint going to sugar coat it either. Also ask your doctor about going on the pill if you havent already. Most cyst can be treated with the pill.

[Jan214]

Since this cyst has continued to grow, albeit slowly, it is unlikely that it would reverse itself and start shrinking and go away.  I have had 5 cyst surgeries and have never known of an alternative treatment.  The longer you wait the bigger it will get and if it isn't already causing you pain, it will if you wait to long.  Although Drs won't/don't take out cysts smaller than 5cm's if you have to have it removed eventually, it is better to get it done sooner rather than later. Drs say cysts don't hurt, but that is not true.   Cysts in and of themselves don't hurt, but they put pressure on other organs, and can cause not only seriously painful pinched nerves, but your kidneys, intestines, liver, lungs and everything else in there could be working in less than an optimal fashion because that cyst is taking up room that it was not meant to take up.

Even after going through all of those surgeries, I can honestly say that it was for the best to have them taken out.  I had several burst and that is a pain I never want to experience again.

Laps are not all that bad to recover from.  The worst problem is the gas they fill you up with.  Getting rid of that is IMPERATIVE.  I don't care if you have to stand on your head or lie on the floor with your legs up a wall, just get rid of it as fast as you can.

Good luck
Jan

[Laney8463]

Hi there,
I too do not know of any alternatives to surgery to remove a cyst. Heck, I think we would have all employed them if we could. I do know, that when a stubborn cyst persists, the only treatment is removal. As long as you are not symptomatic with the cyst, I don't think it would hurt to wait and keep monitoring it. My cysts were monitored for over a year until they began changing, that is when my doc said they had to come out.
Good luck with your research...
Laney

[cirella]

Hi,
Have you discussed the options with your doctor?  Are you thinking of hormones to try to shrink it?

What is the time frame between your first and last ultrasound?

I don't think you'll be able to wait indefinitely b/c it's got to be causing you some discomfort and probably will if it grows.  A laparoscopy will enable your doctor to see what is going on.

You can try posting in the comp. medicine forum to ask if there are any natural remedies.  Sorry, I don't know the answer to that one.

Good luck.