Ovarian Cyst that won't go away

[RDH03]

In May 2009 I had what I thought was a sore ovary on the left side. I went to the OB/GYN and he did a pelvic exam and there wasn't any tenderness. He went ahead and sent me for a vaginal ultrasound and the results came out as having a 3cm cyst on the right ovary. I thought this was crazy because I wasn't having any pain on the right side at all. (We finally found out that the left side pain was caused by a swollen lymph node from shaving.) The Dr. thought it may be an ovulation cyst, so I was to return in July for a repeat US. Still no pain, but the second US showed no change, so a third US was ordered for August. No pain, but the US reported the cyst is still there. At this point he did a CA125 and the level came back as a 7. He told me that he doesn't think that it is cancer because of how the US looked, no change in size, and the CA125. He informed me that if I wanted to remove it that I can, but he would like to wait until November and do another US. Do know that I realize how unreliable the CA125 can be, so I got a second opinion. The second opinion told me that he too does not think it's cancer, but would not be 100% sure unless it was removed and tested (the first dr. said that too). He pretty much said that he felt it wasn't going to go away because I'm on birth control pills and it has been there for three months. He recommended, but not strongly, that I remove it just to make sure it does not have to do with endometriosis. At this point I don't know what to do because I'm clueless on what to do. I have an appt. for a thrid opinion on Friday and hopefully this can be the break I need. I sort of feel like I need to remove it because I have no clue how long it has been there and I would not know today if I would not have went in for the pain that wasn't even related to the ovary. Does anyone have any advice? I haven't started a family yet because I'm not even engaged, but I do want children one day! Can an ovarian cyst be removed without damaging the ovary, so that I can have kids in the future? I appreciate any answers! I'm stressed and everyone I talk to has no idea what I should do! Thanks guys!

[RDH03]

Thanks so much for the reply! I do think I'm going to keep my third opinion appt. and go from there. I guess I would feel better if two dr.'s told me to wait than one saying wait and the other saying surgery. It is stressful, but I thank you so much for the info. I will post again after my appt. on Friday! God bless!

[MarieMichele]

It's not an easy decision to make.  At 3 cm it's not that large (5 cm+ and they talk about surgery).  Then again it is not going away on its own.  All the follow up visits, second opinions and tests add up for you in time, expense and inconvenience, so would surgery be the solution?  It could, but then again, cysts can sometimes develop again in the future.  Some (not all) cysts interfere with ovulation and fertility and make you feel unwell in a variety of ways.  Cysts can be removed without damaging the ovary but a lot depends on where/how it is positioned in relation to the ovary.

An ovulation cyst and endometriosis are very different.  Is the doctor that unsure about what you have there?  You can continue the watch and wait, re-check, re-test routine, but if the stress is too much, it may be best to just remove it.  The risk of cancer is low and nothing so far has indicated it, but they are correct that they cannot be completely certain until removal and testing.  This could probably be done by the most minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy) and you would go home later the same day.  Fro most, it is also 2 weeks home from work to recover.