Aa
4.5 Cm Septated cyst with 2 calcifications
Been experiencing back pain for 5 yrs from a MVA. Recently has gotten worse with bloating, IBS... Had a cat scan on my lumbar and it showed a 4.5 left adnexal low density mass. The Cyst is 4.5x 5cm soft tissue with calcification of 4.5 x 3.5 within tissue and a calcification on the border of 4.5 x 5cm. Awaiting MRI results and Ca125 test. I am 48 have had PCO since I am 16 with several surgeries to remove 5cm to 16 cm cysts. Had hysterectomy(tubes, cervix, uterus removed) 10 yrs ago to cancer(uterine and cervical- stage 1) and have had a clean bill of health. I was my normal weight, and have gained some the past 2 mos with my symptoms. No appetite I get full rather quickly. Family history of breast cancer and colon cancer on my moms side. My question is since the PCP thinks due to my young appearance (of 30) It will probably be benign. My gyn is on the fence. Strong history may be malignant. Am I jumping the gun to have both ovaries removed? They have caused me so much pain all these yrs. I am not sure if I am making the right decision. Anyone have a septated cyst with calcifications and what was the outcome? Thank you I am freaking out here.
Kevin, I thank you so much for your reply. It has helped me feel at ease immensely. I am having all the blood work you stated. This sat I go in for the mri of my pelvis and my lumbar region with and without contrast. I will be picking up the films the next day and have an appointment for a radiologist to also read them. I have worked in the medical field in my earlier years and have seen radiologist misread films. I am not taking any chances. I have found a onc. gyn that i am very comfortable with and before I had a chance to state to him in no way will you biopsy my ovary in me or diasect it in me.. He stated that he will remove the ovaries whole and them send them to pathology after he looks at the cells under a microscope- explaining about the fluid and crystals that certain ov cancers leave behind.. This will be done when they are removed in their entirety. He also stated that at my age that I did not need 2 ovaries that are polycystic and most likely have scar tissue due to the surgeries and PCO. I told him that I already scheduled my mri's and a radiologist to look at the films. and he recommended the same Dr that I chose. He worked for sloan kettering and my onc gyn has experience reading films as well. So its like 3 opinions. I will post all my results. I will be going in for surgury the 25th. I am sorry to hear all these peoples stories on ovarian cancer the ones that get me are the ones that were misdiiagnosed to begin with. I wish you and your wife well. And again TY for your reply the information you have given me has helped me more than you know. Good wishes! JO
I am sorry you have to go threw this, it is very stressfull to have this hanging over your head. Keep in mind most cysts are benign!! Since this has been ongoing for you and your CT scan shows septated cyst coupled with your past history warrants a very through work up to rule out any other potential issues.
My wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010 and I know what it is like to not know the next step will be. Here is an overview.
Tests like sonograms, Cat scans and MRI's along with blood tests like CA125, Inhibin A&B, MIS and CEA are just used as a guides for the Dr's to help assist in making a diagnoses(Dx).
The blood test CA-125 is a test used by Dr's as a guide to determine if you have the most common form of ovarian cancer, approximately 80% of all ovarian cancers are epitheal ovarian cancer which is cancer of the cells on the surface of your ovary. Please keep in mind that CA-125 can be elevated if your menstruating and some other cuases of inflamation..
There are other types of ovarian cancer that are hormone driven and depending which form a person has there will be excess symptoms of that specific hormone. This is the type my wife was Dx with granulosa cell ca. These group type are called sex cord -stromal tumors. These type of tumors have specific markes that the Dr's use just like ca-125 to aide in their dx of epitheal ovarian ca. They are Inhibin A&B and MIS. Please keep in mind if and only if you have a dx of these form of tumors there is a missconception that these tumors are always benign, which is completely false> They are just slow growing tumors as opposed to epitheal.
Unfortunately with any type of suspected ovarian mass/tumor/ suspicious cyst(s) surgery will be the only way for the Dr's too make a definitive Dx. It is NOT recommended to biopsy any ovarian mass/tumor/suspicious cyst as it can rupture and seed the pelvis with cancer cells if that what it turns out to be. Please make sure you have your blood drawn for the following blood tests,Inhibin A&B, CA125 and CEA so at the very least you have baseline blood work.
************************************************************************************************
Since there is suspicion based on your CT scan and yur history I would immediately find a good GYN/Oncologist surgeon. I am not suggesting what you have is cancer but studies have shown that treatment of ovarian cancer by nongynecologic oncologists and by low volume surgeons is associated with suboptimal surgical management. I would reccomend going to a large tiertiary hopsital where they see large volumes of patients. This is not to make you worry even more but to make sure that the Dr who treats you has vast experience with diagnosing and treating various types of GYN / Onc issues if that is what it turns out to be. If the Dr wants to remove the cyst/mass via laprascopic procedure PLEASE make sure they have much experience with removing these INTACT! All too often I read posts from patients who say their Dr thought it was a cyst and removed it haphazardly causing a rupture and seeding of the pelvis with cancer cells, only to be found on pathology post removal.
******************************************************************************************************
Next: From experience I would be asking for an MRI of the abdomen/pelvis ,MRI's are very precise when read by a Radiologist that specializes in GYN/ONC, My wife went to a radiology practice that does all types of MRI's and the Radiologist read her MRI as a fibroid. I then took her to Sloan Kettering in NYC to see a GYN/ONC surgeon Dr Carol Brown who had the MRI repeated by a GYN/ONC Radiologist who called her DX to the tee which was confirmed after surgery.
As for having both ovaries removed is a decision you will have to make obviously prior to surgery. My wife opted to remove both as she did not ever want to have to worry about the "other one". Now of course she was in instant total menopause or "medical menopause"
The best advice you see all over these posts is you have to be your own advocate, be aggresive and stay on top of your phycicians. Get copies of all your tests/results. Post with any other questions you have this site has some very knowledgeable people on it. I wish you all the best
Kevin
.
My wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010 and I know what it is like to not know the next step will be. Here is an overview.
Tests like sonograms, Cat scans and MRI's along with blood tests like CA125, Inhibin A&B, MIS and CEA are just used as a guides for the Dr's to help assist in making a diagnoses(Dx).
The blood test CA-125 is a test used by Dr's as a guide to determine if you have the most common form of ovarian cancer, approximately 80% of all ovarian cancers are epitheal ovarian cancer which is cancer of the cells on the surface of your ovary. Please keep in mind that CA-125 can be elevated if your menstruating and some other cuases of inflamation..
There are other types of ovarian cancer that are hormone driven and depending which form a person has there will be excess symptoms of that specific hormone. This is the type my wife was Dx with granulosa cell ca. These group type are called sex cord -stromal tumors. These type of tumors have specific markes that the Dr's use just like ca-125 to aide in their dx of epitheal ovarian ca. They are Inhibin A&B and MIS. Please keep in mind if and only if you have a dx of these form of tumors there is a missconception that these tumors are always benign, which is completely false> They are just slow growing tumors as opposed to epitheal.
Unfortunately with any type of suspected ovarian mass/tumor/ suspicious cyst(s) surgery will be the only way for the Dr's too make a definitive Dx. It is NOT recommended to biopsy any ovarian mass/tumor/suspicious cyst as it can rupture and seed the pelvis with cancer cells if that what it turns out to be. Please make sure you have your blood drawn for the following blood tests,Inhibin A&B, CA125 and CEA so at the very least you have baseline blood work.
************************************************************************************************
Since there is suspicion based on your CT scan and yur history I would immediately find a good GYN/Oncologist surgeon. I am not suggesting what you have is cancer but studies have shown that treatment of ovarian cancer by nongynecologic oncologists and by low volume surgeons is associated with suboptimal surgical management. I would reccomend going to a large tiertiary hopsital where they see large volumes of patients. This is not to make you worry even more but to make sure that the Dr who treats you has vast experience with diagnosing and treating various types of GYN / Onc issues if that is what it turns out to be. If the Dr wants to remove the cyst/mass via laprascopic procedure PLEASE make sure they have much experience with removing these INTACT! All too often I read posts from patients who say their Dr thought it was a cyst and removed it haphazardly causing a rupture and seeding of the pelvis with cancer cells, only to be found on pathology post removal.
******************************************************************************************************
Next: From experience I would be asking for an MRI of the abdomen/pelvis ,MRI's are very precise when read by a Radiologist that specializes in GYN/ONC, My wife went to a radiology practice that does all types of MRI's and the Radiologist read her MRI as a fibroid. I then took her to Sloan Kettering in NYC to see a GYN/ONC surgeon Dr Carol Brown who had the MRI repeated by a GYN/ONC Radiologist who called her DX to the tee which was confirmed after surgery.
As for having both ovaries removed is a decision you will have to make obviously prior to surgery. My wife opted to remove both as she did not ever want to have to worry about the "other one". Now of course she was in instant total menopause or "medical menopause"
The best advice you see all over these posts is you have to be your own advocate, be aggresive and stay on top of your phycicians. Get copies of all your tests/results. Post with any other questions you have this site has some very knowledgeable people on it. I wish you all the best
Kevin
.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cancer Community
Learn how to spot the warning signs of this “silent killer.”
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
