Aa
Complex ovarian cyst
I am a 50yr. old woman of 3 boys.
An Ultra sound July 2005 showed a cyst on both ovaries.
Another Ultra done December 2005, showed right ovarian cyst to be simple and left ovarian cyst to have grown to the size of a grape.
The doctor said it is a complex ovarian cyst with internal echoes.
My questions are:
What are internal echoes? and what is usually inside of internal echoes?
In a 6 month period for a cyst to grow to grape size is that considered to be growing fast or is that a normal speed for a complex cyst to grow?
The doctor said to wait and see for 2 months.When I asked him if it will turn into cancer, he said yes, but that could takes years.
April of 2005 I had a colonoscopy because my husband was having one done and he wanted me to also have it done. To our surprise they removed a hereditary cancer from my colon. The Dr. said it was the worst of it's kind.
To be honest with you, I am worried about this cyst.
I have been having symptoms with this as well. Some days are good others just terrible.
I have a gyno appointment Jan of this month 2006. I am hoping that he could answer some of my questions.
I haven't heard much about the internal echoes.
Does that mean my chances of having cancer are higher because I have internal echoes?
Your help, advice, knowledge or anything you can tell me about this would be so greatly appreciated.
God bless you all and may you find strength as I do at times, not always, but some days....to carry on and love the ones you love too.
Thanks Christine
An Ultra sound July 2005 showed a cyst on both ovaries.
Another Ultra done December 2005, showed right ovarian cyst to be simple and left ovarian cyst to have grown to the size of a grape.
The doctor said it is a complex ovarian cyst with internal echoes.
My questions are:
What are internal echoes? and what is usually inside of internal echoes?
In a 6 month period for a cyst to grow to grape size is that considered to be growing fast or is that a normal speed for a complex cyst to grow?
The doctor said to wait and see for 2 months.When I asked him if it will turn into cancer, he said yes, but that could takes years.
April of 2005 I had a colonoscopy because my husband was having one done and he wanted me to also have it done. To our surprise they removed a hereditary cancer from my colon. The Dr. said it was the worst of it's kind.
To be honest with you, I am worried about this cyst.
I have been having symptoms with this as well. Some days are good others just terrible.
I have a gyno appointment Jan of this month 2006. I am hoping that he could answer some of my questions.
I haven't heard much about the internal echoes.
Does that mean my chances of having cancer are higher because I have internal echoes?
Your help, advice, knowledge or anything you can tell me about this would be so greatly appreciated.
God bless you all and may you find strength as I do at times, not always, but some days....to carry on and love the ones you love too.
Thanks Christine
Last week I was diagnosed with an Ovarian mass.This was discovered after having a vaginal ultrasound.That was ordered after I read a false positive from an urine test. I was referred to my gyno. Yesterday he did an endometrial biopsy and a ca125 . He then ordered me a mammogram and a CT abdomen and a pelvic. I'm waiting on the results from all of those. During our conversation he mentioned a complex
cyst on my left ovary. We discussed depending on these test if I would be sent to an oncologist or not. I am 52 years old, no family history of Ovarian Cancer, Have had two children and my tubes tied 21 years ago. I have been through menopause . Whats the false positive? What constitutes a complex Mass. He did say either way the mass should come out. Does this sound like the proper course of actions. I have been a basket case ever since I find out about this mass.
Any info would be welcomed, Thanks Terri
cyst on my left ovary. We discussed depending on these test if I would be sent to an oncologist or not. I am 52 years old, no family history of Ovarian Cancer, Have had two children and my tubes tied 21 years ago. I have been through menopause . Whats the false positive? What constitutes a complex Mass. He did say either way the mass should come out. Does this sound like the proper course of actions. I have been a basket case ever since I find out about this mass.
Any info would be welcomed, Thanks Terri
You probably didn't realize that you are responding to a thread that is over 2 years old. Since you're addressing those with cysts I would suggest it would be best if you post this on a new thread in the Ovarian Cyst forum rather than this Ovarian Cancer forum. I am very happy to hear that your outcome was so good and you have not joined the club no one wants to belong to.
Since Sept of 2007, they have been watching a complex adnexal septated ovarian cyst of mine, no two doctors knowing what to do a bout it. Most said watchful waiting is the best.
I was the one going thru it, I was the nervous wreck going for T/V every two months, them saying they didnt think it was anything to worry about.
But I was worried and decided on a full laparoscopic hysterectomy last week. The cyst came out along with both ovaries , uterus, tubes etc.
And know what, it was all benign, the cyst was full of mucus and debris.
After all that I didnt need a hysterectomy. But I thank God I was brave enough to do it, and never worry about watchful waiting agian. BTW I am 49 years old, so dont have to worry about fertility anymore. When in doubt take it out.
I was the one going thru it, I was the nervous wreck going for T/V every two months, them saying they didnt think it was anything to worry about.
But I was worried and decided on a full laparoscopic hysterectomy last week. The cyst came out along with both ovaries , uterus, tubes etc.
And know what, it was all benign, the cyst was full of mucus and debris.
After all that I didnt need a hysterectomy. But I thank God I was brave enough to do it, and never worry about watchful waiting agian. BTW I am 49 years old, so dont have to worry about fertility anymore. When in doubt take it out.
Hi,
I just got my result from pelvic sonogram. There was a doctor at Radiology, she told me I have bilateral complex ovarian cysts, 1/3 of women have back flow.... , no one know what real cause.... I have no idea what it was at the time, so she said that my gyno wil give more explanation when the report send back to his office. He doesn't seem too worry since my CAT125 is normal. But he put me on patch, and will have follow up sonogram in March,06.
I read a lot of articles about endometriosis from the web and books but still very fuzy about everything.
When you say go for 2nd opinion, do you mean after get the report of pelvic sonogram and talked you your gyno, you go to another gyno to get a better explanation? or get another sonogram ?
Sincerely
BeHppy
I just got my result from pelvic sonogram. There was a doctor at Radiology, she told me I have bilateral complex ovarian cysts, 1/3 of women have back flow.... , no one know what real cause.... I have no idea what it was at the time, so she said that my gyno wil give more explanation when the report send back to his office. He doesn't seem too worry since my CAT125 is normal. But he put me on patch, and will have follow up sonogram in March,06.
I read a lot of articles about endometriosis from the web and books but still very fuzy about everything.
When you say go for 2nd opinion, do you mean after get the report of pelvic sonogram and talked you your gyno, you go to another gyno to get a better explanation? or get another sonogram ?
Sincerely
BeHppy
Quick thoughts...
Complex cysts don't become cancer. Either they are it and it will show quickly or they aren't it. There is the rare case where they change or more accurately are a place for cancer to spring up later on, but that is a low chance. (Mine might be doing it though, which is why the push now to get it out.)
I can't figure out why doctors hesitate to take some cysts out and push to operate on other cysts that are likely to go away on their own. It seems to be more doctor dependent than cyst type dependent, especially as I've read stories on this site. Hence, my tendency to think everyone should get at least one 2nd opinion when possible. Even on the same cyst and situation I've gotten several 'do it nows within 8 weeks urgency' and several 'wait and watch, you might not need to have surgery'. (I will say that as it keeps growing and changing even the wait and watchers are shortening their watch protocols.)
On the CA125, it doesn't register cancer half the time, and is elevated falsely at times too, so it's meaningless. Completely meaningless. What tells a little more is serial (two over time) CA125's to check the change as a measure of tumor growth. A doubling is considered a concern. This is true in post-menopauseal. In pre-menopausal it can double from one part of the cycle to another so again it's meaningless. Yet, I was told by two G.O's to use it as part of watching even though I'm pre-menopausal? Combined with other factors it might be useful, but it doesn't look (to me) like ovarian medicine is there yet.
It will be interesting to see what you find out in your next appointments and lab tests.
Good luck,
Cheri
Complex cysts don't become cancer. Either they are it and it will show quickly or they aren't it. There is the rare case where they change or more accurately are a place for cancer to spring up later on, but that is a low chance. (Mine might be doing it though, which is why the push now to get it out.)
I can't figure out why doctors hesitate to take some cysts out and push to operate on other cysts that are likely to go away on their own. It seems to be more doctor dependent than cyst type dependent, especially as I've read stories on this site. Hence, my tendency to think everyone should get at least one 2nd opinion when possible. Even on the same cyst and situation I've gotten several 'do it nows within 8 weeks urgency' and several 'wait and watch, you might not need to have surgery'. (I will say that as it keeps growing and changing even the wait and watchers are shortening their watch protocols.)
On the CA125, it doesn't register cancer half the time, and is elevated falsely at times too, so it's meaningless. Completely meaningless. What tells a little more is serial (two over time) CA125's to check the change as a measure of tumor growth. A doubling is considered a concern. This is true in post-menopauseal. In pre-menopausal it can double from one part of the cycle to another so again it's meaningless. Yet, I was told by two G.O's to use it as part of watching even though I'm pre-menopausal? Combined with other factors it might be useful, but it doesn't look (to me) like ovarian medicine is there yet.
It will be interesting to see what you find out in your next appointments and lab tests.
Good luck,
Cheri
Cheri, I must say, I think that it it great that you pushed for second opinions. Sometimes we just except whatever is put to us by doctors, who are basically in a rush these days with people who have real concerns.
I should mention that I also had the CA 125 test that came back normal. I am still waiting for an appointment for a CT scan. And of course this Monday I have a gyno appointment. ( I heard he is an older doctor) more experience I am sure. I actually got that appointment quick after reminding my family doctor, they had removed colon cancer in 2005.
Since I read your post to me yesterday, I want to say that you have helped me understand things a little better. And especially I don't feel so alone right now. Thanks for that Cheri.
One thing that is troubling me, is the fact my family doctor could not understand why I would want to have this cyst removed. And personally, I can not understand why he would say that, if in fact it could turn into cancer down the road.
What is up with that anyway. I heard that from other posts in here to. What is the hesitation with removing a complex cyst that WILL BECOME CANCER down the road.
Is there more of a problem removing them...re: because even if it is not cancerous, what ever material is inside will spread to cause more cysts to form. (Just my thinking right now). Cannot for the life of me understand that.
Never in a million years did I think that this happens to women.
I never even heard of the ovaries being this big of a problem. Ok..well maybe I did, but can't remember, but certainly not to this extent.
Christine
I should mention that I also had the CA 125 test that came back normal. I am still waiting for an appointment for a CT scan. And of course this Monday I have a gyno appointment. ( I heard he is an older doctor) more experience I am sure. I actually got that appointment quick after reminding my family doctor, they had removed colon cancer in 2005.
Since I read your post to me yesterday, I want to say that you have helped me understand things a little better. And especially I don't feel so alone right now. Thanks for that Cheri.
One thing that is troubling me, is the fact my family doctor could not understand why I would want to have this cyst removed. And personally, I can not understand why he would say that, if in fact it could turn into cancer down the road.
What is up with that anyway. I heard that from other posts in here to. What is the hesitation with removing a complex cyst that WILL BECOME CANCER down the road.
Is there more of a problem removing them...re: because even if it is not cancerous, what ever material is inside will spread to cause more cysts to form. (Just my thinking right now). Cannot for the life of me understand that.
Never in a million years did I think that this happens to women.
I never even heard of the ovaries being this big of a problem. Ok..well maybe I did, but can't remember, but certainly not to this extent.
Christine
Hi,
To clarify, when I called for 2nd opinion appointments they were almost all four weeks or more out. Once I mentioned the findings of nodularity, I was offered appointments within two weeks -- and I have low risk relatively speaking.
To clarify, when I called for 2nd opinion appointments they were almost all four weeks or more out. Once I mentioned the findings of nodularity, I was offered appointments within two weeks -- and I have low risk relatively speaking.
Hi Christine,
From your report: "(SMALL 3MM ECHOGENIC AREAS IN THE FUNDAL ENDOMETRIAL CANAL ARE OF UNCERTAIN SIGNIFICANCE, THEY MAY REPRESENT SMALL CALCIFIED VESSELS OR POSSIBLY SMALL POLYPS.)"
The endometrial tissue is the lining of the uterus, so I'm going to guess it's something in the general uterine area especially since they don't specify it as part of an ovarian cyst. I don't know what the significance of calcified vessels is. Polyps are generally no big deal, but generally should be removed so they can't turn cancerous. (Same as colon, lots of polyps can form and should removed, but few are cancerous or become so.) Maybe if you do a google on 'calcified vessels uterus' you'll get a definition some place.
The procedure on the polyps is a D&C and the only risk is perferration of something if the doctor isn't skilled enough (or I guess it can happen anyway).
Basically, if you can't get clear answers from you current doctors I would start getting 2nd opinons if your insurance allows. I have found each doctor to give me such different thoughts that I've spend the two months since the findings, on the internet searching for what's what and am still confused on one more point before my surgery (see my posting...) Putting it all together I think I know what to do, but it did take several different doctors for me to get some (now I know to be) even basic answers. It has been obvious that my original gyno. was not very accurate and I'm glad I moved on. Your's may not be off base, and you don't have to tick him/her off or leave them. But you can still talk with someone else. If you try to schedule with a gyno. oncologist and describe the report they won't take you for a while, that's a good sign. I got visits in 2 weeks with everyone, even Hopkins, based on the nodularity even though they all think it's "following a very benign process."
I've been stunned at how hard it's been to get consistent information. (Me venting: I should have it out right away...I should wait 2-3 months use serial CA125s and retest with US...endometriomas can damage the ovary...they only displace tissue, not replace it...and on. The only consistent thing is since it developed noduarity is they all give it 2-3% chance malignancy.)
Anyway, hope you can get some clarity as you research. Something my mom said to me, if it was clearly malignant and to worry about, my first US report wouldn't say "retest in 6-8 weeks", it would say "get thee to a surgeon". So again no need to panic, but it shouldn't be ignored either because even with the small chance, catching it at stage I makes a different.
Also, if you get another US, ask the radiologist's office if anyone is particularly skilled or senior. One G.O. loves this one radiologist who is a retired gyno, and it turns out he does have a superior reputation. And ask questions while in there. I got clarity from him that wasn't then reflected in his report at all, so if I'd only seen the report I'd have no clue.
Cheri
From your report: "(SMALL 3MM ECHOGENIC AREAS IN THE FUNDAL ENDOMETRIAL CANAL ARE OF UNCERTAIN SIGNIFICANCE, THEY MAY REPRESENT SMALL CALCIFIED VESSELS OR POSSIBLY SMALL POLYPS.)"
The endometrial tissue is the lining of the uterus, so I'm going to guess it's something in the general uterine area especially since they don't specify it as part of an ovarian cyst. I don't know what the significance of calcified vessels is. Polyps are generally no big deal, but generally should be removed so they can't turn cancerous. (Same as colon, lots of polyps can form and should removed, but few are cancerous or become so.) Maybe if you do a google on 'calcified vessels uterus' you'll get a definition some place.
The procedure on the polyps is a D&C and the only risk is perferration of something if the doctor isn't skilled enough (or I guess it can happen anyway).
Basically, if you can't get clear answers from you current doctors I would start getting 2nd opinons if your insurance allows. I have found each doctor to give me such different thoughts that I've spend the two months since the findings, on the internet searching for what's what and am still confused on one more point before my surgery (see my posting...) Putting it all together I think I know what to do, but it did take several different doctors for me to get some (now I know to be) even basic answers. It has been obvious that my original gyno. was not very accurate and I'm glad I moved on. Your's may not be off base, and you don't have to tick him/her off or leave them. But you can still talk with someone else. If you try to schedule with a gyno. oncologist and describe the report they won't take you for a while, that's a good sign. I got visits in 2 weeks with everyone, even Hopkins, based on the nodularity even though they all think it's "following a very benign process."
I've been stunned at how hard it's been to get consistent information. (Me venting: I should have it out right away...I should wait 2-3 months use serial CA125s and retest with US...endometriomas can damage the ovary...they only displace tissue, not replace it...and on. The only consistent thing is since it developed noduarity is they all give it 2-3% chance malignancy.)
Anyway, hope you can get some clarity as you research. Something my mom said to me, if it was clearly malignant and to worry about, my first US report wouldn't say "retest in 6-8 weeks", it would say "get thee to a surgeon". So again no need to panic, but it shouldn't be ignored either because even with the small chance, catching it at stage I makes a different.
Also, if you get another US, ask the radiologist's office if anyone is particularly skilled or senior. One G.O. loves this one radiologist who is a retired gyno, and it turns out he does have a superior reputation. And ask questions while in there. I got clarity from him that wasn't then reflected in his report at all, so if I'd only seen the report I'd have no clue.
Cheri
Thank you Cheri forsharing with me your own experiencesand helpful advice.
I do my best not to get stressed. What you said sounds positive for sure. After all you have been living with this for 2 years now yourself. Hugs to you my dear.
I guess it is the what if's that make us think, isn't it?
That dreaded word cancer.
And hearing the doctor say that it would turn into cancer eventually is kind of a slap in the face for sure.
I do have the print out of the Ultra sound by the way. Basically what I wrote. Now there is small mulitiple fibroids in my uterus as well. Does not seem to be a concern there.
So, now I am not sure what (on the ultra sound report) this is referring to if it's the uterus or complex cyst they have written here..but here it is..
(SMALL 3MM ECHOGENIC AREAS IN THE FUNDAL ENDOMETRIAL CANAL ARE OF UNCERTAIN SIGNIFICANCE, THEY MAY REPRESENT SMALL CALCIFIED VESSELS OR POSSIBLY SMALL POLYPS.)
Do you know if that is referring to the complex ovarian cyst or the uterus?
From what you were saying, sounds like the complex ovarian cyst, but not sure.
Thanks again,
Christine
I do my best not to get stressed. What you said sounds positive for sure. After all you have been living with this for 2 years now yourself. Hugs to you my dear.
I guess it is the what if's that make us think, isn't it?
That dreaded word cancer.
And hearing the doctor say that it would turn into cancer eventually is kind of a slap in the face for sure.
I do have the print out of the Ultra sound by the way. Basically what I wrote. Now there is small mulitiple fibroids in my uterus as well. Does not seem to be a concern there.
So, now I am not sure what (on the ultra sound report) this is referring to if it's the uterus or complex cyst they have written here..but here it is..
(SMALL 3MM ECHOGENIC AREAS IN THE FUNDAL ENDOMETRIAL CANAL ARE OF UNCERTAIN SIGNIFICANCE, THEY MAY REPRESENT SMALL CALCIFIED VESSELS OR POSSIBLY SMALL POLYPS.)
Do you know if that is referring to the complex ovarian cyst or the uterus?
From what you were saying, sounds like the complex ovarian cyst, but not sure.
Thanks again,
Christine
Debris is "gunk" floating inside the fluid of the cyst. Most commonly it is blood, but there are other things too. I had bilateral ovarian cysts with debris. We are still working on the whys and whats at this point for they have leaked and the fluid with the gunk is floating around in my cul de sac.
Hi Christine,
For what I gather internal echos are just the kind of imagery they detect with ultrasound (which is based on echos). If the echoes are consistent which it sounds like from the wording, then it's usually something benign like an endometrioma.
However, complex cysts are the catagories of most ovarian cancers. BUT most complex cysts are STILL not cancer, so no need to get stressed.
If it were cancer, 6 months would probably produce much more in the way of signs of a problem (lots of free fluid, other growths). Maybe get a second opinion and more answers to your questions. Especially since the sonogram reports should give a guess on what they think it is. (Can you get a copy of the report from the lab.)
I had a complex cyst with low level echos probable endometromia. After two years of very slow growth it's now showing nodularity and now most doctor's I've consulted think it should come out with a more than 1-2 but less than 5% risk of cancer.
What I've been told is ovarian cancer moves fast, so until you and your doctor's are confident this is not acting like cancer, it's important to keep a good eye on it. Endometrioma's don't often turn into cancer (and it isn't years of time anyway), so the concern is to access it now, not just wait and see. Colon cancer is one of the risk factors.
But again, almost everything is benign even when it's in the risk categories.
Hope this is helpful!
Cheri
For what I gather internal echos are just the kind of imagery they detect with ultrasound (which is based on echos). If the echoes are consistent which it sounds like from the wording, then it's usually something benign like an endometrioma.
However, complex cysts are the catagories of most ovarian cancers. BUT most complex cysts are STILL not cancer, so no need to get stressed.
If it were cancer, 6 months would probably produce much more in the way of signs of a problem (lots of free fluid, other growths). Maybe get a second opinion and more answers to your questions. Especially since the sonogram reports should give a guess on what they think it is. (Can you get a copy of the report from the lab.)
I had a complex cyst with low level echos probable endometromia. After two years of very slow growth it's now showing nodularity and now most doctor's I've consulted think it should come out with a more than 1-2 but less than 5% risk of cancer.
What I've been told is ovarian cancer moves fast, so until you and your doctor's are confident this is not acting like cancer, it's important to keep a good eye on it. Endometrioma's don't often turn into cancer (and it isn't years of time anyway), so the concern is to access it now, not just wait and see. Colon cancer is one of the risk factors.
But again, almost everything is benign even when it's in the risk categories.
Hope this is helpful!
Cheri
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.
