Ovarian cysts

[MaJo356]

I'm 55 yrs old.  Gyn dr discovered an ovarian cyst (ultrasound test) in June, 2008.  She said it had to come out & referred me to an oncology gyn dr.   I have been seeing this dr for the last 6 mos.  He has ordered various ultrasound tests and blood work (cancer makers, CA 125, CA 19-9).   My last visit was on 1/7/09 at which time one of my cancer markers was alittle abnormal, but was told not to worry.  I am to go back in May for another check up (I will get an ultrasound and blood work done before my office visit.)   Should I be more proactive and ask the dr to remove this cyst before my next office visit?   I am alittle nervous because how can the dr. be sure that this cyst is not cancerous without going in and removing it.  

[Sandymac]

I'm with Irene on this one. I don't understand why the long wait.. I know with younger women, a few cycles may be watched but at our age, that isn't usually the case. When it was determined I had a cyst via TVUS, it was taken care of within a week or so..I truly don't understand the delay . Now, that doesn't mean it's an emergency, but why wait? Those tests, blood work, etc. only take a day or so..

I was also told though we could just watch it for a couple of months (not 5months though) and I chose not to have to keep worrying about it so I asked that we go ahead and get it over with..

And, yes.. CA-125 test results can be "off" for a lot of reasons..

Let us know and good luck,
Sandy

[ireneo]

Your first doctor found the cyst last June and said it had to come out but you're still waiting? That seems odd. Do you know how large the cyst is? I had to wait a couple months for my surgery but only because they were running tests on my heart to make sure it would behave during surgery. Once I got that done and was put on heart meds for a few weeks, they got right in there and took things out. Mine was benign but they still didn't wait that long.

CA 125 numbers can be elevated for other reasons besides cancer.

[justscore]

There is no way to tell if it is cancerous with out surgery.  It is a very good thing you are seeing a Gyn/Onc.  If you have surgery, they would be the best Dr for the procedure.  If you feel uncomfortable with the wait and see approach, talk to the Dr and maybe seek a 2nd opinion.  An elevated CA 125 does not mean there is cancer.  My numbers were always out of the "normal" range but my cysts were benign. What kind of cysts does he suspect?

It's so hard to wait!!!!

Keep us updated........... Hope you find answers soon.

Heidi