Ovarian cysts

[DCDAV]

I recently had an ultra sound for a possible gallbladder problem.  Nothing was found wrong with the gallbladder, however they saw a large mass (24cm) in my pelvic region.  Dr. suggested that this is multiple cysts.  I have absolutely no pain in that area.  I have been a little concerned about bloating in my upper stomach area, but I attributed that to weight gain.  

I am 67 years old, and have had regular routine physicals every year, without fail.  This past year, I had the works.  Nothing has ever shown up.
To say the least, I am very anxious about whats going on with me.  I have a CT scheduled for this week, and a scheduled appointment with a specialist.
In reading the other posts, most all mention some to extreme pain.  I have none.  The doctor said they didn't see anything that would suggest cancer, but they can never rule it out completely until they see results from other tests.  How worried should I be that this is cancerous?  The size is very concerning.

[fungirl1011]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  I know it is scary when we don't know what is going on, but I am glad that you are seeing a gyn/onc.  They have so much more experience in female issues.  They deal with this everyday.  It is amazing that you are not in any pain as your cyst is very large.  Please keep us updated on how you are doing!!

[DCDAV]

The doctor that I see on 7/1 is a gyn/onc.  
I can't understand how something this large could not be detected during my yearly physicals.  My last physical was this past December, and I had the works.

My mom pasted away in 2005, with renal failure.  However I think that many, many years ago, she may have had a cyst.  I don't think it was cancerous, maybe borderline.  Seems like I remember she and a friend going to see this same doctor every so many months.  
I still have no pain, just uncomfortable from the size of my stomach area.  Is this from the cysts pushing the other organs upward?

[hopeshell]

That sounds good that your mass isn't complex.  The only way to remove a 24cm cyst is by laparotomy.  They make a vertical incision and remove the mass, do a frozen section to rule out cancer and then look around the abdomen to make sure there aren't suspicious areas elsewhere.  Even large benign cysts can burst and cause infection.  So, hopefully you will be scheduled for surgery soon and be on the road to recovery.  Although your doctor mentioned your cyst isn't complex, you may may want to ask him what would be done in the event it were malignant.   If possible, it would be great to have gyn/onc available to assist your doctor so you won't have to have a second surgery for staging if some part of your mass comes back malignant.  I hope all turns out benign!  Keep us posted! :)

[DCDAV]

Thank you for answering my question in regards to ovarian cysts.

The ultra sound did show that it was fluid filled, and didn't appear to have solid matter.  Also, there were no veins feeding into it.  The doctor explained it as looking like a bunch of grapes.
I went through menopause many years ago, and had my tubes tied at 40.  I had been on birthcontrol pills prior to having a tubal.  
How would they remove a cyst that is 24 cm?

[hopeshell]

Unfortunately, lack of pain doesn't mean all is ok.  Most women do get some pain as a mass grows and puts pressure.  But, it is often not any worse than the usual pains we get as females from time to time.  That is one of the reasons ovarian cancer has been labelled "the silent killer."  Did you scan indicate if your mass is fluid filled or does it have solid parts?  Were they able to determine if it is attached to your ovary?  Sometimes when the size is that large is it hard to tell where it came from.  But if it is complex (has solid parts) then it is more worrisome for cancer.

Try not to worry because most cysts do turn out to be benign...even large ones. But,  since you are post menopausal and your mass is so large...you should consult a gynecolgical oncologist just to be safe.  If it is malignant a gynecologic oncologist will be more skilled at removing the tumor without spreading the contents and he can remove other areas of tumor and stage your cancer all in the same surgery. It will be very important to biopsy many areas of your mass since it is so large.  It is common to have benign, borderline and invasive cancer all in the same mass if it is large.  You should also get a CA-125 blood test before your surgery.  If you are found to have ovarian cancer and your tumor makes this tumor marker, then it can be valuable tool for your follow-up.  

Here are a couple of links that will give you more information:

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

http://www.wcn.org/findadoctor/

I hope all turns out to be benign!  You should get surgery as soon as possible because your mass is so large.  Even benign tumors can cause problems if they burst and they are more likely to burst with increased size.  Hang in there!