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Ovarian Cyst/Ultrasound Interpretation

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum. I am a 28 year old female with one child. Approximately 2 years ago, I had been diagnosed with functioning cysts usually one cyst on one ovary. For a few months I had a cyst on my right which is now gone and now on my left ovary. My OB/GYN continued to monitor them. Just recently in December 08', I had an ultrasound done which showed a 3 cm ovarian cyst on the left. My doctor ordered another ultrasound a few weeks later and the cyst on the left is still present. When I had a consultation on 1/29/09 with my doctor she ordered a CA-125 which I am pretty familiar with because I work in the health field. As we began speaking, she told me not to worry and that I would probably work myself up over nothing (which may or may not be true). She described the cyst as possibly having some blood and that my body was trying to re-absorb it and it may go away. She also stated that it was highly unlikely to be cancerous but that she needed to be certain so this is why the blood work was ordered. I obviously felt I had some hormonal imbalance because I have issues ovulating. My doctor further ordered day 3 bloodwork (day 3 refers to third day of my period). I have been trying to get pregnant for the past three years with no result. I did not want added stress nor did I want to turn the entire process into a science project so I had not tried Clomid or other medications as of yet. I had to stop "trying" about a year and half ago because my PCP thought I might have lymphoma. I did have some of the symptoms, but Pet Scan was negative as well as bone marrow biopsy (Thank GOD)!!

Fast forwarding a year and half later (1/29/09), I just got my hands on the ultrasound report and it reads:
Dimension of Uterus: 8.4 cm long, 4.1 cm AP , 4.9 cm trv  
Endometrium 0.7 cm Contour: Anteverted (that is normal tilt)
Ovaries: RT side measures: 3.5 c, X 2.5 cm X 3.3
             LT side measures 4.5 cm X 3.7 cm X 3.7 cm
Cul De sac: No free fluid
Comments: Persistent Left ovarian cyst which now shows debri and septations
                  Echogenic area still seen at area of Right cornua.

When I spoke to my doctor we did not discuss the report in such detail because I did not have it in my possession. I had a vague idea of what debri and septations were, but not the depth I have been reading. I looked up the cornua and from what I gather it is an area where the uterus & fallopian tube meet. What does it mean that there is an echogenic area? (meaning something is picked up by the ultrasound?? What?) Could it be possible that I have an endometrioma on that ovary or a chocolate cyst? I am awaiting the results to the blood work and have a follow up sonogram in 3 months. Any info on debri, septations or anything regarding my post is very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Rosabela
12 Responses
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356929 tn?1246389756
Hi,
   Yes,do keep us posted. .. Just remember , even large cysts are 95% benign .. and if it isn't shrinking they may suggest a laparoscopy or laparotomy to remove it. There is lots of experience here on either procedure. Try not to worry and let us know,

Sandy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well I was not told much yesterday at my appt besides it feels like I have a big cyst on my right ovarie. I go today for an ultra sound on my ovaries and also to get blood work done so hopefully it is nothing to serious. I will keep you all posted thanks for the sopport.
Helpful - 0
356929 tn?1246389756
Oh... well I guess that's one thing that you can eliminate right? (pregnancy).Are you still in pain..?. Good luck with your appt. and let us know .. I'm sure you'll feel better after speaking with your Dr.

Keep us posted,
Sandy
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Avatar universal
Thanks, I took a test to clear my mom and sisters head that im not pregnant.  I think it is impossible to get pregnant with my boyfriend for he has been snipped. I actually have a doctors appt. today so hopefully everything will get cleared up and help ease my mind.
Helpful - 0
356929 tn?1246389756
I guess the situation for a lot of us is so different... I , for instance, never even saw a report, and that's true for  a lot of us on the forum, so it would be difficult for us to "compare notes' so to speak. It was given to my Dr., she interpreted it and spoke to me about what it contained and made suggestions as to treatment. I guess, I'm just "old school".. I probably wouldn't understand it anyway (and I have a good knowledge of medical terms , and if not---- Google is a wonder ! ) . to me it would be like taking my car in to have a dx. technician look at it..--they don't call them mechanics anymore I don't think-- .. Then asking to see the computer dx, when he told me my radiator was defective! I would hardly know what I was looking at ! But, you and I know that some of these reports are being given straight to the patient somehow., or so they say.... I know that legally they have a right to them, but still..........

The tech that did my TVUS was as sweet as she could be.. but what a poker face ! I couldn't get a thing out of her, but I learned here that  that's the way it should be..but it's amazing how many bend the rules a little.  .And for me.. I'm one that takes every thing out of context.. like.. "uh oh, she stayed in that spot too long", etc. And, I think any medical test makes one uneasy.. just me... .. I think that's why this forum is so great.. Many times ladies just come on for reassurance..."Is this the way it usually is", or "is this standard treatment". When my Dr. suggested we monitor mine for a few months, it was good to hear that other members were being told the same thing.. I just wish that more would stay around after their dx. .. It was good to hear from Kasie again and I hope she remains..

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Avatar universal
Hi there, I just wanted to say that it sounds as if your doctor is on top of things.  I'm glad to read you aren't afraid.  Fear can cause your mind to take you to some bad places.  And, it is good to do some homework.  Education is good.  I'm sure you have noticed that cancer comes up quite often when you google your symptoms.  I think that is what Sandy may have referred to.  It seems as if you have some experience with the cysts so I hope you are comfortable with what your doctor is advising you.

As for your doctor using the verbiage on the report, they never will.  They interpret the report and put it into words that you can understand.  If your doctor had read the report as is you would never have understood it and that's why you brought it here, I think?  Anyway, I hope that if what the doctor said was confusing that you will ask them about it.  You should always come away feeling as if you could explain it to someone else.

And, yet another tech speaking when they should not.  They are not taught to read an ultrasound.  I'm thinking that if your doctor didn't mention it, then there may not have been anything to mention or they saw it differently.  Techs should not be interpreting anything.  They should just do their job and take the pictures.

I hope your blood work comes back with a good result.  Take care and please come back to tell us what your next ultrasound report results are.
Helpful - 0
356929 tn?1246389756
You're very welcome.. and that's indeed what this forum is all about... opinions..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sandy,

While I appreciate your opinionated response, I was looking for others that may have had the same in their reports and could share the info given to them. I believe that is the purpose of a forum. You wrote:

I like the way you said that "I got my hands on the report"
And now you've gone to the internet and have frightened yourself right?

-Actually, I am not frightened. My doctor actually told me that when I look up things on the net it will point toward ovarian cancer. I knew what I was going to see. Scared?? No! I have walked down this road a year and a half ago when it was believed that I had lymphoma. I am just seeking out information. I believe all patients educate themselves ,as we have all seen too often, those that do not fall between the cracks. When I wrote got my hands on the report what I should have explained was that it was in my doctor's hand. My doctor gave a brief overview, but did not use the verbage written in the report. All she stated was, "Your cyst looks a little different than the last time we did the sono and that could be because it is trying to collapse itself (meaning your body is trying to get rid if it) and there is blood within the cyst now or it could possibly grow. We will continue to monitor it and I want you to come in 3 months so we can see if it is gone or bigger. Now if it is bigger >5 cm we may have to take it out, but hopefully after going through three menstrual cycles within the three months it may be gone. I am going to order some blood work and let's proceed from there." She did not mention what blood test she was running, I had to ask. I was familiar with the test because as I have written before, I work in the healthcare field.

You wrote: Seems like patients  are "getting their hands on" these reports without benefit of their Drs. going over it with them.

As I wrote before, my doctor had the report in her hand, but did not use the verbage from the report. She probably did not want to scare me. I was given the report only later she walked out of the room at my request. Only after I received the report did I grow curious over
this "echogenic area" by the rt cornua. As I was having the sono done the tech had asked me if I had uterine surgery of any kind etc... and I found it mind boggling why she would ask me that. I had to ask my doctor for the report so I could pass the information to my primary, but after this particular consultation, I was given the report summary while my doctor walked out of the door. The verbage was different as expected, but my doctor never mentioned anything about my uterus as is written in the report.



Will you be seeing your Dr. after your bloodwork comes ?  
I have no appointment until my next sono, that is of coarse, if the blood work is negative (which I am sure it will be). It takes about 5-7 days for the results.

And, monitoring the cyst for a few months is standard
.......I believe I wrote that I had been having my cysts monitored for a while. I know this, but appreciate your response.

Thanks,
Rosabela
Helpful - 0
356929 tn?1246389756
Hi,
   I know you posted to Rosabela, but I'm going to put my 2 cents in... I would get it checked out, especially since you're in pain.And this may be a really silly question, but is it at all possible that you are pregnant..? I ask because of you're being 3-4 weeks late..or it certainly could be the result of the original cyst or another one..so many things could be the cause that I think it would be good to have it checked .

Hope you feel better
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Avatar universal
This is intresting. I am 21years old and back in August my period was late and I was experiencing sharp paina nd pressure on the lower right side where your ovaries are. I went to my dr. and was scheduled to go get a ultra sound the nurse that did my ultra sound which showed I had a large cyst placed on my right ovarie being the size of it she did a internal to get a better look at it by what she said I was not suppose to know much until my dr. actually looked at the report well she seens how upset I was and talked to me about it it measured 5.3cm she said that the wall around it was thick in this case they usually like to take a piece of it and send it to the lab . plus I should have a follow up within 2-3 months to see if its still there or not if its grown etc... well I followed up wth my dr. to be read the results she put me on Yazz she tried telling me this will help shrink it and help prevent me from getting more and when i asked about being seen again she said no i should be fine it will burst on its own... well I ended up getting my period like 3 weeks later though now Jan 30, 2009 I am 3-4 weeks late with my period if not a lil bit longer. I been experencing cramping but no period, sore breast, bloating, tired all the time, pain in the right lower side that goes into my back within the past week or so I experienced very little spoting but nothing comes about with my actual menstural. Do you think this  could very well be another cyst and should I go get checked out? my body just has not been feeling right... kinda scared when I think about it all.
Helpful - 0
356929 tn?1246389756
Oh, almost forgot.... regarding the CA-125 and I'm sure your Dr. will tell you, but this isn't necessarily a good screening tool for ovarian cancer in premenopausal women. The American Cancer Society doesn't recommend this as a screening tool in absence of other symptoms. It was developed primarily as a "marker" for those already diagnosed with OVCA to determine how well the treatment is working. There are many,many things that can skew the results (one of them being endometriosis and even early pregnancy.)  . Also, there are women on the Ovca forum that have ovarian cancer and never had high numbers on the CA-125. Conversely, many high numbers are found in women with no ovarian cancer. You may like to google "CA-125 American Cancer Society". Now, doctors may still use this as it's "better than nothing" ,..And, your Dr. is probably right... about working yourself up over nothing.. but I've been there too..LOL

Sandy
Helpful - 0
356929 tn?1246389756
Hi,  
  I like the way you said that "I got my hands on the ultrasound report".... And now you've gone to the internet and have frightened yourself right? I know, I know.. you're looking for information and we're all guilty of doing so .. But.. please don't allow yourself to fret over these things until you've spoken with your Dr. about your report. Ask him what this report means in detail !!!! Seems like patients are "getting their hands on" these reports without benefit of their Drs. going over it with them.. It, in my opinion, is causing more stress than it would have if  one waited for the Dr. to interpret it fully.  

Will you be seeing your Dr. after your bloodwork comes back?

And, monitoring the cyst for a few months is standard. If you're nervous about that , you might ask that it be done sooner. I don't mean to sound unfeeling because I know it's scary,but the internet can be a scary place. I know someone will post soon that has had a cyst with septations and debris and perhaps ease your mind, but in the meantime, please, please try not to worry.. Remember something.. Cysts are 95 % benign!

And, let us know how the bloodwork comes out and what the Dr. advises...

Sandy
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