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Why MRI for ovarian cyst?
My gyn ordered an MRI for ovarian cyst that has not resolved for six months, over a few ultrasounds. He seemed convinced birth control pills would take care of it, despite my persisting symptoms, pain, irregular bleeding, bloating, etc. It's partly solid but not particularly large -- only 2.5 cm. He and his office haven't been particularly forthcoming about the reasons for the MRI -- "you'll either receive a phone call or a letter afterward." Perhaps I should not be concerned either. I'm getting nervous. What will the MRI show, or will I most likely need surgery anyway? Thanks.
hi every one i have an MRI this tuseday coming up iam 23yrs i have a 4.2cm cyst in my right ovary, due to that i hade bloating constipation etc. now iam afraid if they have to do a surgery how is it gonna be done is it gonna hurt and is this the reason iam not concieving. Thanks Everybody for kind and thought full openion god bless you all
I like your attitude about this whole thing...Want to adopt an Asian baby?? Lots of them out here in South East Asia needing a loving person to give them a happy life. Wishing you positive MRI results...Lemonade is ready and waiting !!
Hi folks,
I'm 38 and today went in for an MRI on my left ovary. 3 years ago, they took out my right ovary since I had a pre-cancerous (yeah, there IS such a thing) cyst on my right ovary. If they hadn't have, they assured me it would have turned to cancer. So, that's a good thing. Now, another cyst popped up on my remaining left ovary. I'm assuming the MRI is because the US found some hardening or suspicious things. frankly, I'm happy my OB/GYN takes such protective measures and tests all these things thoroughly. Had she not, I'd have cancer right now, or worse (gulp!). So, take the tests in stride and just keep taking care of things as they pop up.
Wish me luck...I get my MRI results on Thursday. Hopefully, things are cool as I really want to bear children. But if not, I'll have another surgery, get the whole kit and kaboodle done away with and pray God grants me a wonderful baby to adopt. Make lemonade my friends.
All my best.
I'm 38 and today went in for an MRI on my left ovary. 3 years ago, they took out my right ovary since I had a pre-cancerous (yeah, there IS such a thing) cyst on my right ovary. If they hadn't have, they assured me it would have turned to cancer. So, that's a good thing. Now, another cyst popped up on my remaining left ovary. I'm assuming the MRI is because the US found some hardening or suspicious things. frankly, I'm happy my OB/GYN takes such protective measures and tests all these things thoroughly. Had she not, I'd have cancer right now, or worse (gulp!). So, take the tests in stride and just keep taking care of things as they pop up.
Wish me luck...I get my MRI results on Thursday. Hopefully, things are cool as I really want to bear children. But if not, I'll have another surgery, get the whole kit and kaboodle done away with and pray God grants me a wonderful baby to adopt. Make lemonade my friends.
All my best.
Thank you for your well-wishes!
I had been having pain over my ovary for about 4 years during the first half of my cycle. I had a US about 3 years ago and, at the time, the cyst was small and my gyn thought it was just a result of ovulation. Recently, the bloating/constipation/pain has gotten worse, but never excrutiating.
Again, chances are you have something benign, but I'm sure you want to know for sure!! Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself. Doctors can be very dismissive, esp. of women our age.
But don't get too worried. This is all very common, and I'm sure you are fine. Just get to the bottom of this as quickly as you can! :)
I had been having pain over my ovary for about 4 years during the first half of my cycle. I had a US about 3 years ago and, at the time, the cyst was small and my gyn thought it was just a result of ovulation. Recently, the bloating/constipation/pain has gotten worse, but never excrutiating.
Again, chances are you have something benign, but I'm sure you want to know for sure!! Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself. Doctors can be very dismissive, esp. of women our age.
But don't get too worried. This is all very common, and I'm sure you are fine. Just get to the bottom of this as quickly as you can! :)
Just as an FYI, being on oral BC will not make an existing cyst go away. It just prevents any others from forming or joining to the existing one, and allows the hormones to become "normalized" so the existing one has a chance to resolve.
But, if the cyst isn't just a plain hemorrhagic or corpus luteum cyst (plain sided, fluid filled only), the cyst will not resolve on it's own.
The MRI will show more details, like whether the "solid" looking parts are just blood from a hemorrhagic cyst, or something like a dermoid cyst (which can have teeth and hair in it).
Hang in there, and keep insisting on getting your results so you can have this taken care of!
~Marianne
But, if the cyst isn't just a plain hemorrhagic or corpus luteum cyst (plain sided, fluid filled only), the cyst will not resolve on it's own.
The MRI will show more details, like whether the "solid" looking parts are just blood from a hemorrhagic cyst, or something like a dermoid cyst (which can have teeth and hair in it).
Hang in there, and keep insisting on getting your results so you can have this taken care of!
~Marianne
Hi all,
Thanks for helpful comments, and helpful questions. I am 30 years old -- seems a bit older than a few of you guessed! I am thinking that I will get a second opinion after the MRI, mostly because I do not feel confident in this doctor. As pointed out, that birth control pills don't resolve existing cysts -- my doctor seemed convinced that it would get rid of mine. I also don't like his lack of willingness to return my phone call, especially when today the hospital tells me the insurance company has precertified this as a "pre-op" MRI. And I still don't know why.
So now, my question is: Do I seek a second opinion from another OBGYN, or an oncologist? Or does a person only see an oncologist if a diagnosis of cancer has been made? I don't know these things.
Thanks everyone! All my best to all of you.
Thanks for helpful comments, and helpful questions. I am 30 years old -- seems a bit older than a few of you guessed! I am thinking that I will get a second opinion after the MRI, mostly because I do not feel confident in this doctor. As pointed out, that birth control pills don't resolve existing cysts -- my doctor seemed convinced that it would get rid of mine. I also don't like his lack of willingness to return my phone call, especially when today the hospital tells me the insurance company has precertified this as a "pre-op" MRI. And I still don't know why.
So now, my question is: Do I seek a second opinion from another OBGYN, or an oncologist? Or does a person only see an oncologist if a diagnosis of cancer has been made? I don't know these things.
Thanks everyone! All my best to all of you.
Hi alps2020
All best for your surgery tomorrow -- I hope you have a speedy recovery and of course hope all turns out benign.
I am supposed to move to NY in a few weeks, so care in NYC is not out of the question. Insurance there might be.
Does it seem strange that my cyst would be so small (under 3 cm) and cause symptoms? I am not in a lot of pain, some, occasional sharp pain, off and on daily discomfort.
Sounds like your pain got a lot worse... I am so sorry that you are going through this, but I hope that your surgery puts you back on the right path to feeling a lot better.
All best for your surgery tomorrow -- I hope you have a speedy recovery and of course hope all turns out benign.
I am supposed to move to NY in a few weeks, so care in NYC is not out of the question. Insurance there might be.
Does it seem strange that my cyst would be so small (under 3 cm) and cause symptoms? I am not in a lot of pain, some, occasional sharp pain, off and on daily discomfort.
Sounds like your pain got a lot worse... I am so sorry that you are going through this, but I hope that your surgery puts you back on the right path to feeling a lot better.
Hi Monkeygirl,
Sounds like you and I are in the same boat! I'm also 30. I'd recommend meeting with a gyn/onc. Gyn/oncs are trained to deal with ovarian cysts, and they know of what they speak. They're also able to perform surgery on cysts they don't believe are cancerous. I'm having a 9cm cyst removed tomorrow by my gyn/onc, and he's almost positive it's benign.
I'm using a local gyn/onc, but if you are in the NYC area, I'd recommend Memorial Sloan Kettering. They'll take you for an appointment regardless of a referral. You just need your medical records (US, MRI, doc's progress reports) faxed to them. It took me about 2 weeks to get an appointment, but I decided to cancel mine when my gyn/onc could get me into surgery quicker than that.
Be firm with your doctor. Or find a new one. My ob/gyn was dismissive of my symptoms until the cyst got very large and uncomfortable. There's no need for you to go through the same!
Sounds like you and I are in the same boat! I'm also 30. I'd recommend meeting with a gyn/onc. Gyn/oncs are trained to deal with ovarian cysts, and they know of what they speak. They're also able to perform surgery on cysts they don't believe are cancerous. I'm having a 9cm cyst removed tomorrow by my gyn/onc, and he's almost positive it's benign.
I'm using a local gyn/onc, but if you are in the NYC area, I'd recommend Memorial Sloan Kettering. They'll take you for an appointment regardless of a referral. You just need your medical records (US, MRI, doc's progress reports) faxed to them. It took me about 2 weeks to get an appointment, but I decided to cancel mine when my gyn/onc could get me into surgery quicker than that.
Be firm with your doctor. Or find a new one. My ob/gyn was dismissive of my symptoms until the cyst got very large and uncomfortable. There's no need for you to go through the same!
Welcome to the Battalion MonkeyGirl8! I was wondering how old you are, 18? Younger women seem to get the longest W&W (Watchful Wait) with lots of BC in various forms. Six months isn't too bad but the lack of info is! If your cyst has a solid component, an MRI can yield more information. You have symptoms so do consider another opinion based on copies of the MRI and last US result, that's right, your next chore! Sucks but necessary whether you decide to seek a 2nd opinion or not. Besides, as closed mouth as your office has been, should get them moving since those records are yours by right. Expect red tape and play the game. Keep us posted Girl18! Mary V
I'd recommend getting a new gyno that you're comfortable with. He should really explain what he's doing and why he's doing it. My gyno was dismissive of a small cyst I had a few years back, and I have recently found out it's the size of a grapefruit, and needs to be surgically removed. I wished I had been more forward a few years ago with her.
That being said, there's probably no need to be nervous. Sounds like you're fairly young, and most likely you have something benign. Also--last thought--even if the MRI reveals something suspicious hold tight until you meet with an oncologist. After my MRI, the radiologist told my primary care doc that I had ovarian cancer. I completely freaked until I met with the oncologist who is convinced it's endometriosis.
I probably didn't do a great job in calming your fears :) But hang tight, get the MRI as soon as possible, and call your doc w/in 48 hours of the MRI. He should have the results by then. Good luck!
That being said, there's probably no need to be nervous. Sounds like you're fairly young, and most likely you have something benign. Also--last thought--even if the MRI reveals something suspicious hold tight until you meet with an oncologist. After my MRI, the radiologist told my primary care doc that I had ovarian cancer. I completely freaked until I met with the oncologist who is convinced it's endometriosis.
I probably didn't do a great job in calming your fears :) But hang tight, get the MRI as soon as possible, and call your doc w/in 48 hours of the MRI. He should have the results by then. Good luck!
If you're not comfortable with an MRI get a second opinion. I don't quite get it either.
Linda
Linda
I had an MRI for my cyst as well. I assumed it was for better visualization of the other organs surrounding it as well at the cyst. They injected some dye(just like a blood test needle but tiny and stays in until exam is over). I know they got more information. They were not in a rush to take mine out since I have other health problems as well. I am also 52 and I assume that you are much younger. Age may affect how soon they want to do surgery or if, for you. I am sure there will be others coming along to give you more information. Good luck
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