How likely to "just go away"?

[Silvara]

Hello everyone!  

I was recently diagnosed with a large cystic mass in the right adnexal region.  It measures 16.0 x 11.3 x 12.2 cm in diameter.  I have a history of multiple uterine fibroids and had a myomectomy in '01.  When my pelvic area was getting firm, I thought it was just the fibroids growing again (the surgeon said there were still some "seed sized" fibroids that he didn't want to mess with).  Yes, there are still fibroids, but they are only 1-2 cm in size.  Not nearly big enough for me to feel when I lie on my tummy... But it feels like I'm lying on a golf ball when I'm on my tummy.

Of course, now I'm freaking out a bit.  Not looking forward to another abdominal surgery.  I can't imagine them letting something of this size resolve on it's own, right?  This is too big for laproscopic removal, right?  I've had cysts before, but nothing nearly this size.  They said wait a couple of months and we'll see if it's gone.  It usually was.  I don't think I'll be so lucky this time, eh?

I've only got the report from the radiologist from my ultrasound.  I've gotten no help from my GP and am waiting for the referral so I can make an appt with the GYN.  I looked at my u/s pix and didn't see any chambers or lacing or colors going through the big black area of my rt ovary.  Any thoughts on what kind of cyst this is?

[Silvara]

Thank you so much for your helpful words, ladies!  

I'm quite a professional at being a worry wort and I'm trying hard to think positively.  I just can't imagine it being so big for no reason.  I was having short cycles and peri-menopausal symptoms, so the GYN I see put me on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo to help.  So, I haven't ovulated since April!  

Thanks again!

Wendy

[Laney8463]

Hi there,
Sorry you are going through such stress and worry. We have all been there.Try not to worry but I know that is easier said than done. My docs all said that when a complex cyst reaches 5cm or greater and it hasnt resolved itself in a few cycles, then it needs to come out. I had multiple cysts that we watched for about a year, they were slowly growing and changing and finally I couldn't stand the watch and wait and guessing anymore so I had it all removed. I would suggest you see a gyn/onc, not because I think you have cancer but because they are the best trained at womens reproductive surgery. They know what they are looking at when they get in there. Take comfort in the fact that 95% of cysts are benign, even the larger ones.
You could also take a look at the health pages at the upper right hand corner. There is alot of info in them.
Take care and let us know how you make out
Laney

[Sandymac]

Hi,
   Unfortunately even with the CA-125 test, it won't tell you anything definitive. The test isn't all that reliable in premenopausal women. There are too many other factors that may affect the "numbers" . And also unfortunately, they really can't tell what kind of cyst you have for sure until they take a look, as Trudie stated. They thought mine was a small solid (fibroma) and turned out to be simple cyst which women my age don't usually get.
    I know it's hard to play the waiting game , but try to put the "doppler" away ..it's likely to make you even more stressed and please let us know how your appt. with your Gyn. goes..
    Take care,
Sandy  

[Silvara]

Thanks for the reply, Trudie!  

I'm just wondering (since I haven't found the answer elsewhere) if there is someplace I could read about the necessity for surgery at "X" size of cyst how soon it's recommended, whether I'm going to have a CA125 test, or if I should just assume the surgeon is going to whisk me into surgery to yank the beach ball out w/out tests.  

Of course I get all this cyst diagnosis just before a weekend so I can sit and freak out and too many questions in my head.  I'm looking at the doppler of my cyst and trying to figure out what it means!

I've been gone all day at a continuing edu course but want to try to read through this board tonight.  Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[TrudieC]

Sometimes they just can't tell until they take a look at it.  I had a 16 cm mass that they thought was a simple fluid filled cyst.  After surgery I found it was a 16 cm cluster of simple cysts that had bled together.  With a cyst that size you are right that a laparoscopic surgery cannot be performed.  I haven't heard whether cysts this size can resolve themselves or not.  It is good that your history indicates your cysts do normally.  Please let us know what your gyn says.  Good luck.