5 cm complex cyst question

[clh37066]

Hi, I had an ultrasound that shows a complex ovarian cyst measuring 5+cm. I'm trying to decided if I want to wait a couple of months to see if it will go away on its own or have surgery. I'm 30 years old and I had cancer 10 years ago so I'm somewhat hesitant to wait but also don't want to overact and rush into surgery. Does this type of cyst generally go away on its own? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[hopeshell]

Congrats on being in remission from the Hodgkin's!   Most complex cysts do turn out to be benign.  But, I agree with your hubby and think it needs to come out!   I am really surprised that your doctor is willing to wait two full months for the next scan.  If it is not related to your Hodgkins and is a new ovarian cancer, that two months wait could mean the difference from being early staged to late staged.   I don't think it is worth the risk.  My gyn and gyn/onc told me I had no choice but to have mine removed and it was 6cm.

It is funny that you mention that your pain is on the right, yet your cyst is on the left.  That was exactly same for me!  My ovca tumor was on the left and I had right sided pain and heaviness. I have since heard that sometimes the pain is referred from one side of the body to the other.  But, it did go away after my surgery!   I know it is impossible not to worry...but odds are high that it is benign.   Please keep us posted on how you are doing!   I'll be praying you get a benign outcome!  

Shelly

[clh37066]

Thank you so much for your response.  The links are very helpful.  I had Hodgkin's Disease before which is in the lymphnodes.  The doctor that I have now if not a gyn/onc so maybe I should seek a second opinion.  He said that if I wanted to go ahead and take it out, that we could otherwise, I'm scheduled for a second ultrasound in 2 months.  

I haven't had alot of symptoms with it -- no sharp pains but sometimes I have dull aches -- sometimes lower abdomen but sometimes they feel like they are right under my ribs.  Then today, my right side was feeling like this but the cyst is on my left so that's a lilttle confusing.

Anyway, I think that I will try to get an appt with a gyn/onc and see what they say. My husband it wanting this thing out:)

[hopeshell]

Usually, complex cysts of that size do no go away on their own.  My gyn and gyn/onc both told me that I had no choice but to remove my 6cm complex cyst (that turned out to be early staged ovarian cancer).  I am surprised your doctor has given you the option of waiting.  Are you seeing a gyn/onc?   If I were in your shoes, I would have it removed.  What kind of cancer did you have in the past?  Is it one that commonly spreads to the ovary?  

Any complex mass has a chance of being malignant, so it is important that you see a gynecologic oncologist.  They have specialized training to remove ovarian malignancies and your overall prognosis is better when you have a gyn/onc do your surgery versus a gyn or general surgeon.  Here are a couple of links with some info. about gyn/oncs:

http://www.wcn.org/articles/treatment/gynecologic_oncologists/overview/

http://oreilly.com/medical/news/ovarian_ten_things.html


I really hope all turns out to be benign.  My cancer was Stage 1a and I am still cancer free three years out.  It is very important to remove an ovarian malignancy as soon as possible so it does not spread.   Best wishes on making your decision.

Shelly