Cyst or Cancer

[pitabella3]

Good morning,

I just got back from a doctor's where I was told I have a large ovarian cyst on my ovaries which was spotted during a ultrasound. I had an internal and external one done. I am still having my period although the past few months my periods have been acting weird as in missing one and then having two in one month...perhaps a sign of perimenopause.

This my my question. The doctor wants me to wait a few months and come back to see if it has shrunk. My fear is what if this is cancer? Is waiting really the best idea? And if it is growing how big can this actually get? Can an ultra sound tell the difference between a cancer and a cyst?
Can one have this cyst for years or does it go away at some point.

I am so sorry for this flood of questions but I am so concerned that this is being helped in the correct way.

Thanks for any advice you can shed on this for me.

Read more: Vaginal and Uterus Health Forum - Large ovarian cyst sign of cancer? http://ehealthforum.com/health/large-ovarian-cyst-sign-of-cancer-t303447.html#ixzz1YDC7Ev66

[pitabella3]

Thank you so very much for the response.  I just went and got a second opinion and the doctor told me he thought we can wait as well.  He told me that the pathologist that read the results did not suspect anything and did not even suggest a second ultra sound.  My doctor however is going to repeat this exam in two months.  From what I have read online it seems that cysts even large ones are fairly common.  

Good luck with your surgery.

[medmess]

PitaBella,

If the cyst is a simple cyst (only fluid) then even if large (how large by the way) sometimes they like to wait one or two cycles to see if it can shrink on its own.  I have had them burst... not wonderful, but with pain relief you are good in about 3 days.  If it is a complex cyst, meaning it is not all fluid, then if it is over 4cm, they usually sugircally remove it.  I am having surgery this week for a 9 cm complex.  

THe bottom line is it NEVER hurts and always puts you in a better place mentally to go get a second opinion.  Go to another gyn with your scans and say what do you think?

Take care

[Crys_2_much]

Sorry, Good Morning...I rarely sleep also...So im not trying to sound rude, lol Best of luck to everyone!!!!

[Crys_2_much]

Im having a hysterectomy in 12 days for ovarian mass bigger than a baseball and is growing at a fast rate. it was a bit smaller 2 months ago. I have had MANY types of symptoms since 1999. Started as mental health issues, and No periods at all for a few years after childbirth. Always irregular and had to have a c-section for 1st born and 2 repeated. aunt had ovarian cancer and great-aunt had breast cancer. I lost almost 80 lbs in 2-3 mnths w/o trying and suffer  a severe vit. D def. and folic acid def a few years ago. Just wondering if its a chance of cancer. And Dental problems.

[Red_Star]

The only way to know if you have ovarian cancer is looking at the cells under a microscope. There is a tumour marker blood test called CA-125 however this can be raised due to inflammation. For some women, the cysts shrink (or even burst - very painful i've heard) but cysts may continue to enlarge. Persistent simple ovarian cysts larger than 5 - 10 cm, especially if symptomatic, and complex ovarian cysts should be considered for surgical removal.

Women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer report four types of symptoms most frequently:

Abdominal or pelvic pain
Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating
Needing to urinate often or urgently
Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly