Ovarian cysts, supraclavicular edema, and more....

[bdusk]

Two years ago I presented with a pocket of left supraclavicular edema, edema in the left arm and left breast.  A node is not palpable -- not that anyone has tried hard to find one and I wonder if some docs even know how to find one -- but the swelling continues to be persistent and has been noted by several physicians.  Mammos and ultrasounds have come back negative except for "small, benign appearing axilla lymph nodes."  So why am I writing in the ovarian cancer forum?  Well, the edema hasn't been my only symptom, there are many aside from breast pain, "fibrocystic breast tissue," etc.  In the summer of last year, a complex echogenic cyst was found on my right ovary (I also have a lot of abdominal pain now).  A 6 week follow up exam revealed the cyst again, but I was told since the technician was different and the machine was different, they weren't sure what they were looking at...  It was a while before I could be checked again.  6 weeks ago, I finally had my follow up and my ovary was now enlarged to 5.1 cm with three cystic structures, the largest measuring 2.4 cm.  A solid component was seen with flow.  Now, 6 weeks later, I'm examined again by a different tech (not very thorough)and a 2.8 cm "mildly complex" cyst is visible with "ovarian flow."  What is going on?  Yesterday, I discovered yet another lump in my right breast (feels like a cyst).  I am 40 and had a partial hysterectomy in 20's due to cervical displasia stage 4/carcinoma in situ.  My questions are: Is it "normal" to be having cysts popping up in both the ovaries and the breasts in conjunction with supraclavicular edema (non-pitting)?  Is there a link between cervical/uterine dysplasia and ovarian cancer later in life?  I have ALL of the early symptoms of OC, except demonstrated ascites (but it feels like it).  And exactly how many changes in these cysts (follow-up exams) must doctors request before they decide to investigate more thoroughly?  Any reply would be appreciated.    

[bdusk]

Thanks so much for the response!  Problem is, because the cysts keep changing, some going away, new ones forming, my PCP thinks this is an improvement.  Yet, I'm still swelling horrifically ....  

Hopefully, I'll get to the bottom of it one of these days.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

hi There,

It sounds like you should talk to your doctor about a laparoscopy. You have had small persistent ovarian cysts over the past year. it is unlike to be a cancer but there is no way to completely know without a surgical evaluation. The most common finding would be endometriosis which can cause cysts and pain.

I do not know how this related to your neck. There is a large lymph duct that travels from the abdomen to the left side of the neck called the thoracic duct. This is the route for the spread in intraabdominal cancer into the neck lymph  nodes. I suppose that a benign condition in the pelvic could cause some swelling in the neck but I have not personally seen that
best wishes to you