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Septated cyst for a 21 year old - chances of cancer or infertility?

Hi,

I am 21 years old and just found out that I have a 2 x 1.9c x 2.2cm septated cyst in my left ovary! This is a scary experience for me, because in the past I had the following problems (which the doctor said was normal until the septated cyst result):
- numerous blod clots every period about the size of 1-2 quarters
- extreme abdominal pain during my period (i have toake Naprosyn and keep a hot water bag on my stomach)
- when i exercise (at a heart rate higher than 130 bpm) I get vaginal spotting/bleeding for 1-2 days
- luckily I have regular periods every 29-30 days
My previous ultrasounds were all normal. I haven't had an ultrasound in 6 months, and now I found out I have a septated cyst! I am too worried to tell my parents, and have little information about septated cysts... Can someone help me? ={

Would someone be able to tell me if septated cysts can cause infertility (my left ovary is ok), and is there a possibility I have ovarian cancer (and if I have caner, am I going to be infertile)?  

My goal of life after university is to work hard, make some money, have three kids and live happily ever after.  But... if I am infertile, I will be VERY SAD!! =(
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A related discussion, Ovary cyst was started.
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also, as far as sedation.  there are many options.  my dr. has suggested light sedation v. general anestesia, with an epidural pump...this way i am numb from the waste down for the first two days, and will feel virtually no pain.
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remix, here is some good information for you found at
http://consumer.pdr.net/content/women_health/chapters/fgwh09.shtml

When Surgery Is Needed
Sometimes surgical removal of a cyst is the only option. Doctors take several factors into account when deciding whether surgery is advisable. One of the most important considerations is the size of the cyst. Because there is a very slight risk of a large ovarian cyst becoming cancerous, the larger your cyst, the more likely the surgery. Although gynecologists differ on the precise "cut-off point," in most cases if a cyst is at least 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter (about the size of a tennis ball), it will be surgically removed. If your cyst is less than 2 inches, your doctor may want to track it with ultrasound examinations over a period of a few months to see whether it grows to a size that requires surgery.

Another factor doctors consider is your age. Because ovarian cysts are less likely to become cancerous in a woman in her 20s than one in her 40s, or in a woman who has passed menopause, your chance of needing surgical removal of an ovarian cyst increases with age.

The type of cyst is also an important consideration. A "simple cyst," containing only liquid material, is less likely to require surgery than a "complex cyst," containing a mixture of materials. However, if a "simple" functional cyst grows quite large or bleeds, surgery may be necessary. Once your doctor has determined the size and type of cyst you have, he or she will discuss with you the advisability of surgery. Women aged 50 years or older with complex or predominantly solid ovarian cysts should consider undergoing surgery even if the cyst is small. This is because, according to a recent study, there is a relatively high chance of these cysts becoming cancerous. The common types of cysts that almost routinely demand surgical removal are endometriomas, cystadenomas, and dermoid cysts. Surgery is also recommended occasionally for corpus luteum cysts, and for persistently enlarged follicle cysts.

Endometriomas. Because endometrial cysts can grow quite large and are prone to rupture, perhaps causing internal bleeding, these cysts are often treated surgically.

Cystadenomas. Since cystadenomas are almost always benign, it would seem reasonable to leave them alone unless they are large or cause complications. The problem is that cystadenomas often do become enormous, causing complications simply due to their size. An additional concern is that cystadenomas are "neoplasms," or new growths of abnormal tissue, and evaluation of neoplasms can be tricky. It is difficult to determine whether a neoplasm is benign or malignant simply by looking at it. Instead, tissue from most types of neoplasms needs to be analyzed under a microscope, and the only way to get a tissue sample is through surgery.

Dermoid Cysts. Dermoid cysts are also neoplasms, and therefore candidates for surgical removal. You may know before surgery that your cyst is a dermoid because if it contains teeth as one-third to one-half of them do, your doctor may have seen them on an x-ray.

What to Expect When the Doctor Operates
Once surgery is decided upon, you'll have a meeting with your surgeon to discuss the operation and have a physical exam.

Before Surgery
Your surgeon will review the reason for your operation, the possible risks, no matter how small, and any possible aftereffects. You may find it helpful to bring a written list of questions to the meeting. Feel free to ask your surgeon to explain the operation by drawing a simple diagram of what will be removed.

Although at this point you will probably feel there are no lab tests you have not already undergone, a few basic studies may be ordered to establish that you are healthy enough for surgery:

A complete blood count (CBC), to make sure that you have no underlying infection and that your body can tolerate loss of a small amount of blood during surgery

A urinalysis to screen for infection and diseases such as diabetes or kidney problems

A blood sample to check your blood type, in the unlikely event that you need a transfusion

A recent chest x-ray or recent electrocardiogram (ECG) if you are over 40 years old
In Surgery

If you have a large cyst, your surgeon will probably remove it through an incision in your lower abdomen. The general term for any operation through the abdomen is laparotomy. If the cyst is small enough, your doctor may be able to remove it with a laparoscope, which requires only a small incision.

[b]The type of operation you will have will depend on the size and nature of your cyst. The goal is to remove only the cyst, leaving the ovary intact. [/b]When the cyst alone is removed, the operation is called an ovarian cystectomy. The doctor may remove fluid from the cyst before taking out the cyst itself. The fluid is removed through a needle, in a process called aspiration. If a portion of the ovary is also removed, the operation is a partial oophorectomy. Occasionally, the large size of the cyst or complications such as bleeding, twisting, or rupture, may require removal of the fallopian tube with the ovary. This operation is called salpingo-oophorectomy. Surgeons make every attempt to preserve the reproductive organs, especially if you have not yet reached menopause since it's still possible to have children when only a small portion of one ovary remains. Removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries (total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or TAHBSO) is very rarely used to treat the types of ovarian cysts described here, unless there is a reasonable chance that your cyst is cancerous.

After Surgery
If you have a laparotomy, you will probably be in the hospital for a few days after the surgery. During the early recovery and postoperative period, you will receive fluids and medication through your intravenous (IV) line, but you should be eating solid foods fairly quickly. You will receive medication for pain, and you can expect to be walking around the day after surgery. Your wound should heal quickly, and if your incision was closed with staples, the staples and bandage will probably be removed before you leave the hospital. If you have non-absorbable stitches, they will probably be removed 5 to 7 days after your operation.

Before you leave the hospital, you will receive a summary of the type of operation that was performed and the type of cyst that you had. You may wish to ask for a copy of the surgery report for your records. You should also receive complete instructions from your doctor or nurse regarding what to expect in the postoperative period.

You should expect to have some abdominal discomfort for a few days after you return home. You may be given a prescription for a mild pain reliever. You should call your doctor if the medication doesn't help, or if the pain does not improve after a week. You should also contact your doctor if you develop a fever of over 100 degrees, or if vaginal bleeding is heavier than a normal period.

You should expect your incision to look quite red and feel uncomfortable for a few weeks. It is normal to notice some dried blood around the incision, but call your doctor if you see pus oozing from the wound. It's fine to bathe and shower; don't worry about getting the incision wet as long as it's not oozing. The red color of the incision will gradually fade, and eventually the scar will barely be visible.

You may be able to start some non-strenuous physical activity after a week or two. Be sure not to resume intercourse or to use tampons or anything else in the vagina until you have had your postoperative checkup (usually about 2 weeks after surgery). You will probably be able to resume all your normal activities and return to work about 6 weeks after surgery.

Unless you have had both of your ovaries removed, your periods will return to normal, usually by about 4 to 8 weeks after surgery. Remember that if even a portion of one ovary remains, you can still become pregnant if you're of childbearing age. That's one of the many reasons it's important to discuss the specifics of your surgery with your doctor.

Chances are that once the ovarian cyst has been removed, it will not recur. However, the operation does not always guarantee that you'll be cyst-free in the future. As long as you have ovaries, you can have ovarian cysts. It's a good idea to continue any medical treatments your doctor has prescribed to control the cysts and, of course, to have regular
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remix...they have to take the entire ovary, because the cyst has taken over the ovary.  they are also taking my uterus..and maybe the left ovary, dont know yet, as they cant even see that ovary on any of the scans.  

my recovery time will be lengthy, because they have to do an abdominal due to the size of the cyst.  i will be glad to keep you informed on what they find..they will do pathology during my surgery.
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Txladykat, so you are having your septated cyst removed, and not your ovary right?  I don't know what is going to happen to my septated cyst because I have not seen the specialist yet.

Would you be able to tell me what happens after your septated cyst is removed?  Like if it is very painful and you cannot go to work, and if the surgery is very complicated and you have to be fully sedated~ Thanks!
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i was diagnosed with a complex septated cyst last week.  the septation just means there are walls of seperation within the cyst.  it doesnt necessarily mean that it is malignant.  complex just means the cyst has a combination of solid mass and liquid mass inside..which is why the "septation".  

i have done alot of reading on this since my US last week.  scheduled to have it removed on Tuesday, rather large, 14 cm.

but, from what i have read, complex cysts do not usually resolve on their own and therefore should be removed.
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Avatar universal
Thank you everyone for your encouragement!! I feel a lot better =)

But in my case, I do not have a cyst, I have a septated cyst and that is abnormal!  I asked my family doctor and she said it is not normal and referred me to a specialist (I don't know when I will see the specialist yet because she is SO BUSY/BOOKED).

Ohhh... I hope the septated cyst goes away on its own (but the famiy doctor said it will not go away naturally).  I'm glad that my left ovary is normal so if worse comes to worst and I have to remove my right ovary, I still have my left ovary and have babies (like Lorna Doone's sister)~  I just hope it doesn't affect other parts of my organ if it is cancer...
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117289 tn?1391712825
Glad you found us, Welcome!  You will find plenty of support and info here.  As Mary V says, 99% of ovarian cysts are benign.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed
~Tascha
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Avatar universal
Hang in there - my sister had an ovarian cyst and had the cyst, and the ovary removed. A year later she got pregnant with my niece, who was born happy and healthy. It seems that our bodies really compensate for things. Remember - most of these are non-cancerous - I hope you get some answers soon. Not knowing is hard, but the odds are in your favor! Take care -
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