Could this be cancer?

[bbg79]

Hello there, I am 24 yrs old and over the last 6mths I have been getting several ovarian cysts. Primarily on my left but a few on my right. I get them non stop. The first few were just fluid filled but then I started getting complex ones. They all have seemed to rupture but this last one. I have been in non stop agonizing pain for 3 wks now. Lower abdomen and pelvic pain, shooting pains. Stomach swelling/ bloating to the point I look 6 or 7 mths pregnant, leg and lower back pain, dizzy spells and lightheadedness, trouble having bowel movements, sensation that I have to urinate all the time, irregular / very heavy / clotty like periods and pain during intercourse. I'm very concerned that this could be the first stages of ovarian cancer. I am not aware if it is common at my age or not but I do however have a strong family history of breast, crevical and ovarian cancer at a young age. I am terrified and am in so much pain. My doctor is basically ignoring me and telling me its just from the cyst. She won't even tell me how big it is or anything. If the pain isn't better tomorrow or if its worse...especially the stomach swelling I am planning to go to the emergency room. I just want to know if these are symptoms to really be concerned about.
Thank you to whoever can help me or give me advice

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
the most important thing is having a complete exam with pelvic, pap smear and appropriate labs
also important to check a pregnancy test.
you should ask for a copy of your reports and keep your own file of your medical records
best wishes

[bbg79]

Went to the oncologist today. My pelvic exam went well. Uterus is good and what not but he could feel the cyst on my right side. So he did an ultrasound. Looks like what was a 2cm is now almost a 5cm and the 8cm ruptured which would explain the over the top extreme pain I was having. But now the doctor just wants to put me on birth control and do the wait game. Sort of upsetted me. Not that I want surgery but I've been in pain non stop for almost a month now. But he did say if my symptoms don't get better or get worse in 2-3 wks then we will set up a laparscopy surgery to see what's going on. Any suggestions or wise words?

[bbg79]

Thank you so much for responding. Since I submitted my post I have been to the ER twice. They did two ct scans and two transvaginal ultrasounds. First one showed I ruptured my one complex cyst but on my other ovary I was growing another one. They said it was functional and was about 3cm in size. Second round of tests showed I now have a 5 to 6cm complex cyst on my left ovary and a 3cm cyst on my right. They didn't say what kind though. I have still been in so much pain and have been offered very little relief. They basically gave me a small dose of pain relief in the ER and gave me a light stool softner and some percaset prescription. Thankfully it is helping to dull the pain a bit but it is still agonizing at times and is making it hard to function. I am still bloated and swollen and having a hard time moving and sleeping. I keep getting Sharp pains here and there as well. I finally was given a referral to a gyno oncologist and I see him this Friday. I'm hoping they will help me in which ever way they can. Whether that's a removal of the cysts and a biopsy or what. I am so very sorry to hear that u have endometriosis. I have heard and read how terribly painful that is. I am so very sorry they didn't catch it sooner. I hope you are coping and doing okay. I pray I do not have anything serious. Although it is quite alarming that I have been growing new cysts once a wk when the others ruptured. These are the only ones that haven't seemed to ruptured and I don't know if its bc I have been severely cautious to not let that happen or if they have become solid now. I will update after my appointment on Friday. Hope all is well with you. And thank you again for responding and sharing your thoughts, kind words and personal story.

[Anais55]

Hi there,

I had similar symptoms to you so i now how upsetting it is and am wondering when did you have your last ultrasound scan?  You should have an ultrasound or MRI and find out the exact size of the cyst - i cant understand why your doctor is not giving you such information.....I had a cyst last yr which on ultrasound looked like  a simple cyst and was told nothing to worry about but i had the same symptoms as you and i was very concerned at the time - wish i had pushed harder to have another scan to check this cyst.  I was ignored basically and had a  follow up scan over 2 months after 1st and it turned out to be a complex cyst 6.5 cms....i had my laporoscopy 5 months later and the cyst turned out to be an endometrioma which is a cyst filled with blood and is caused by endometriosis....I dont want to worry you but i think you need to see another doctor who will listen to you and take your symptoms more seriously....I was diagnosed with endometriosis and it was severe stage, i had stomach bloating looked 6 months pregnant, severe periods, bladder urgency and always felt very tired, trouble with bowel movements, blood in stools too -  i felt like hell! So i'm wondering if you may have endometriosis?  If you feel so unwell take yourself to the ER and  demand they give you a scan....I hope your ok and feel better soon, take care x