Need some advice gals..

[kimmywah]

Hi there.  I went for my appt to the Gyno yesterday, with my mum.  He said that the ultrasound scan showed that the cyst is not complex and has no solid mass,which he said was good.  He has suggested an MRI scan next week, which, if abnormal, will mean that we will go ahead with removal of the ovaries and no decision necessary..but
If the scan is ok I will have to make a decision.  Do I have surgery to remove my ovaries and go straight into early menopause, possibly causing severe symptoms.  (I can never have HRT therapy as I have had a Pulmonary Embl) or do I wait and have tests (CA125 and internal ultrasound or MRI) every six months until I am 45 and then have them removed.  
The surgery is a risk coz of the clots but there is an increased risk of ovca through family history.  AND i still don't really know if this cyst is nasty or not!!!  I guess I just wait and see what the MRI says, so I suppose just have to take one step at a time.  Hey! I guess I answered my own question for now. lol.
Another thing, when I asked the GYNO if the cysts could cause all these symptoms (bloating, tiredness, low back pain) he said "thats not likely" so.....what is likely???  
From what I can gather you can get those symptoms even if the cysts are benign....but hey what do I know, I'm just a woman!!!
Anyway any comments or suggestions would be very very welcome.

Have a great night or day.
Cheers
Kim

[kimmywah]

Hi,

Sorry I made a mistake Mum's op was in 1994 not 1991, but yes you are right it is great that she has been so well all these 14 years.
She was extremely lucky as she cannot remember having any symptoms but noticed a lump in her abdomen.  Then from seeing her doctor, the very next day, to the time of the scan etc, surgery was only matter of a couple of weeks.  
The result of the cancer was of course shocking, but the surgeon was confident that the tumour was taken out 'whole'.  Mum had chemotherapy and then was cleared and has been clear since.  It seemed to all happen so very fast and I guess we were not real aware of everything then, until now of course, when I have been gathering more info.  She is a real special lady and my best friend so I do count myself very lucky.
My scan is 4 April so I am a bit nervous at that (not real keen on closed spaces) but....hey gotta do it.
Thanks for your post.

Cheers
Kim

[nyc lady]

It's always good when a doctor follows up.....I am glad that you are seeing a new doctor. ..and that is great about your mom....a 17 year survivor....I am sure that many of the ladies on this board would love to hear her story.

Cysts can be very common .... especially when you ovulate...let's see what they say after the MRI.  Most cysts, well over 90 percent are benign.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[kimmywah]

Hi thanks for your reply,

My mother had ovca at 48 years, she had serous cyst adenocarcinoma, had a bilateral oophorectomy (I'm reading these of the notes) and has been clear since 1991.
My own GP sent me for an ultrasound which revealed a 5cm cyst on right ovary.  Over the past 3 years I have been under a GYNO and have been having regularish u/s.  I seem to have cysts which come and go, both on left and right.  I have had two CA125 (in the past) which have been normal.
I asked to be referred for a second opinion to this new Gyno who is now sending me for an MRI for this new cyst.  He said that from the ultrasound there appears to be no solid mass, but will wait to check the MRI scan.
It has been about 4 weeks since I had the u/s and it will probably be two weeks until i get the MRI.  Is this the right path to follow?

[nyc lady]

All of those symptoms can be caused by cysts and numerous other conditions.  What has given you an increased family risk of OvCa????  Even with first line relatives having OvCa, Breast or Colon is increased by less then 10 percent.  

I went into surgical menopause at 42 and I am fine....sure it's no picnic, but, it is doable.

I am concerned that the doctor seems uncertain about OvCa, it's signs and symptoms...and that the symptoms could be the same for numerous different conditions.

Also, cysts are very common in pre-menopausal women and usually go away by the next menstural cycle.  Most doctors repeat the sonogram in about 6 weeks.

I would suggest a 2nd opinion...this doctor raises some concerns.

Best of luck to you.