Will CT show cyst versus cancer?

[JanetLynn1]

Hello,
   I am a 33 year old who started with significant right side pain about two weeks ago.  I have also had lower back pain, changes in bowel movements and weight gain despite significantly decreased appetite. The pain got so bad I called my Dr who sent me to the ER. (Wouldn't even see me based on symptoms) I went to the ER and they did a Cat Scan (no Ultrasound) and said it was a 2mm Cyst not to worry about it and go home.
My question is would they know from the CT Scan if the Cyst was cancerous? I have had multiple abnormal pap smears and had my cervix scraped. I also have a history of cancer in my family.
After multiple miscarrages (all natural) and heavy bleeding I had an Endometrial Ablation in Aug and have not had a menstral cycle since.
    I have had cyst before but never had the other affects - tired, back pain, change in appetite, etc.  I just have a nagging feeling something isn't right.  Should I relax and trust the ER Dr or ask for additional tests?

Thanks,
Janet

[metrogal39]

Thank you.

[Tybear]

Hi there... the normal tests you should ask for are a CA125 and a trans vaginal ultrasound although neither is a totally effective screening tool to detect ovarian cancer. The sad reality is, that there is no reliable tests to find ovarian cancer in it's early stages - the best way to detect it is through knowledge of symptoms. A CA125 test is a bit of a double edged sword as well - the number of false positives and even false negatives, is very high. Any results should be taken with a grain of salt.
Becky

[Tybear]

Oh, I do believe odd medical occurences happen every day. I don't doubt that an abnormal pap would lead to further testing, I'm just saying a pap test alone is not used to diagnose ovarian cancer. And I agree, you can still get "ovarian cancer" even if your ovaries have been removed. It's called Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma - it is made up of the same cells as ovarian cancer and is therefore treated the same way.
Becky

[metrogal39]

Hi all: Which tests are prescribed for OVCA?

[Sammy3720]

Just to provide you all with further information.  My friend did in fact have an abnormal pap test.  She is an ovarian cancer survivor.  The pap test is what led to further testing and then diagnosis of ovarian cancer.  Odd medical occurrences do occur.  Also, just another fyi--just because a woman's ovaries are removed does not mean that ovarian cancer can not occur.  Although rare, there are cases of ovarian cancer occurring after a complete hysterectomy (ovaries included).  Just thought that I would pass along some factual information that I have retained through my experiences with individuals I know diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

[utahmomma]

Perhaps you should slow down and re-read what I posted.

I told her NOT to rely on the ER doctor's diagnosis (*HE* sent her home and told her not to worry about it, *I* didn't).

If you will also slow down and read, you will notice that I was encouraging her to follow her "gut instinct" which is pretty clear in her post since she didn't feel the ER doctor was taking the condition seriously enough and her feeling that something is wrong especially in light of her history.  I also told her NOTHING will give a definitive answer EXCEPT for biopsy (after surgery)  

Oh . . . and I also mentioned that I had doctors who told me "no big deal" and I ignored them, followed *my* instincts, and found out that I HAD CANCER AND HAD IT REMOVED.

So if you think that I am trivializing the fact that this condition could be life threatening then you really need to reevaluate your grasp of the English language.

I have cancer.  Three of my sisters have cancer.  My mother has cancer.  My aunt has Stage III breast cancer.  Another aunt died of ovarian cancer.  I'M NOT TRIVIALIZING ANYTHING!

"Follow through" referred to follow through with YOUR instincts and the "nagging feeling something isn't right."  

Before you flame someone, slow down and re-read the post.  Apologies accepted.

[dalip]

sorry to be fippent but do you realise this lady has changes to her bowel movements and you have advised her to follow through!!!!.Sorry.Dawn

[Tybear]

A CT scan cannot detect cancer although it can show whether a cyst is complex (walls within cyst) or simple (fluid filled). A simple cyst is almost always nothing to worry about - so many women suffer with them and many have them and don't even know it, until it causes pain like you describe. A general rule is that most Dr's don't remove a cyst unless it's over 5cm, so I guess that's why this Dr told you not to worry about it. I would certainly follow up with your Gyne about the whole issue and possibly have it re-checked in a couple months time to make sure it hasn't grown. I would also ask for a CA125 test, although as SimplyStar said, it's not by any means 100% accurate. It is a place to start though and can be used in the future as a marker for you should you be re-tested later on. A PAP test has nothing to do with being tested for ovarian cancer - it only shows what is going on with your cervix. I would caution though, to follow your gut instincts - you know your body best and if you truly feel as though something is not right, keep pushing until you find someone who will give you the answer your looking for. I too, would personally never trust an ER doc for a definate answer on anything - please go see a gyne or gyne/onc about this issue.
Good luck,
Becky

[utahmomma]

Always listen to your "gut instinct" and don't take a doctor (especially ER - they are triage specialists) word as a diagnosis.

I followed my gut instinct and had thyroid surgery for a very small, complex cyst despite doctors who told me to wait and see.  It was cancer . . . four sisters also had thyroid scans then surgeries:  three of them were cancerous and the other was precancerous.  Every one of us were yelled at by doctors for getting the tests and surgeries.

Bottom line, you have to live with your condition - the doctors don't.

My ultrasound showed a large, complex ovarian cyst with a large blood supply.  The doctor and I both thought we were looking at ovarian cancer (aunt died of it).  Remarkably it was a non-cancerous large (size of my fist), hemorrhagic cyst.  Yes, I went through surgery and it wasn't cancer but now I can rest assured I *won't* get ovarian cancer in the future (have had both removed due to PCOS and this cyst).  We wouldn't have known unless it was removed and biopsied whether or not it was malignant.

I'm not trying to push you to surgery, just tell you that all the scans and blood tests in the world cannot tell you definitively whether or not you have cancer.  You need to trust your instincts and follow through.

[SimplyStar]

Most all cancers can only be diagnosed with surgery/biopsy. You can always ask for a CA125 test, although they are not always realiable. Most all tumors/cysts are benign.