Uterine cancer or cyst?

[calmshell]

I recently have found a small, marble size lump about an inch in on the inside of my vaginal wall. I started to research this type of lump, and found many women have had it, and that most often they are vaginal cysts, and need to be drained. There is no pain, but about 3 years ago, my period was irregular. For about a year it would either skip a month, or then come light, or one month come Very heavy, lasting 3 weeks. I received medical care for that month, as I became anemic. It continued to skip etc, so I went to the Doctor. This had been going on about a year or so, and they said, Let's do an ultrasound. So I had one done, and it was clean.. there was one small cyst, but nothing that was an inch in diameter or more, so they said it was nothing to worry about, and that sometimes your period can be irregular, w/no real cause at my age (I am 31 now, was 28 then.) So I was relieved about the ultrasound, and my period was regular from there on out. Came every month, stayed 5 days, and not heavy. So I guess I'm just nervous about this lump- I realize it could prob. just be a benign cyst..but I also read there are rare instances that it is vaginal/uterine cancer. I read the symptoms of that are irregular periods, but when I DID have those symptoms, for a year, the ultrasound was clear..no tumor, etc.  I am a person who worries a lot :( regardless.. I'm just very nervous about having this looked at.. I made the appt. , so it is soon, but has anyone experienced a small lump inside vagina before?? Any info or tips is greatly appreciated.

[calmshell]

Hi Dr Santos, thank you so much for your time with my question. I do not have any symptoms of uterine cancer per se, but b/c of the small marble size lump I found within the wall of my vagina, it did make me wonder. I have read it could very well be a cyst, that those are common, and sometimes need to be drained. I did have an irregular period for a little over a year, and did get an ultrasound done in early 2012, which was clear; thank you for easing my mind that that is a good thing. I have an appt. coming up with a new Gyno in early March, as I have not seen one since that ultrasound. I am staying optimistic; my periods in the last year have been consistent in length and flow, however they do sometimes appear a few days late. But hopefully this will indeed be the more common vaginal cyst. I thank you again for your time, and I will keep posted after my appt.. Hope your day is great, I truly appreciate your response.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
What other symptoms are present? I understand your concern regarding the vagina lump and it is good that initial ultrasound and evaluation was fine. Regular monitoring and follow-up with a gynecologist may indeed help. Other factors such as medical history as well as presence of risk factors for uterine cancer such as obesity, take estrogen by itself (without progesterone) for hormone replacement during menopause, have had trouble getting pregnant, or have had fewer than five periods in a year before starting menopause, or take tamoxifen, a drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer are important consideratiosn also. Having close family members who have had uterine, colon, or ovarian cancer is also important. Take care and do keep us posted.