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confused and worried about cyst
I am 40 y.o. and have had a partial hysterectomy. A recent cat scan for kidney stones revealed an ovarian cyst measuring 5.7 cm having grown from 1.8 cm in two years. I immediately went for an ultrasound and a CA 125 test. The measurement from the ultrasound was 2 cm, and my CA 125 level is 33. The discrepancy in measurement and the nearly high CA 125 have left me more confused. In addition, the scan revealed a 1.5 cm cyst in my liver I was exposed to tetrachloraethline and trichlorethline in utero and Camp Lejeune, and studies on this have shown a four to five times higher rate of cancers.. I'm supposed to go to a meeting at the CDC in Atlanta next month concerning this matter. Would it be reasonable to consider having the ovary removed based on the information I have? I am panicky, yet do not know if my worry is warranted.
I just learned that I have 3 ovarian cysts one measuring 5.7 cm and the 2nd one 4.7 cm the third not too big I was suggested to have a hysterectomy so my concerns are the effects I am 50 yrs old and don't know what to do
Hi Steff,
Like the ladies before me have said, Try not to worry. You are seeing the doc tomorrow right? I definitely would go in there with a set of questions. If you refer to the health pages section of this forum, there is a big article on cysts... I think it is called cysts 101. It has some really good info about the different types of cysts etc. 95% of cysts are benign, the fluid filled ones will most often resolve on their own, but sometimes they do need to come out if they are being stubborn...lol
Ask the doctor what your options are, surgery versus medication vs, watchful waiting.
The CA125 is really unreliable in pre menopausal women. So many things can elevate it like inflammation, endometriosis, infection etc.
Try not to worry, ask all your questions and let us know how you make out...
You are in my thoughts..
laney
Like the ladies before me have said, Try not to worry. You are seeing the doc tomorrow right? I definitely would go in there with a set of questions. If you refer to the health pages section of this forum, there is a big article on cysts... I think it is called cysts 101. It has some really good info about the different types of cysts etc. 95% of cysts are benign, the fluid filled ones will most often resolve on their own, but sometimes they do need to come out if they are being stubborn...lol
Ask the doctor what your options are, surgery versus medication vs, watchful waiting.
The CA125 is really unreliable in pre menopausal women. So many things can elevate it like inflammation, endometriosis, infection etc.
Try not to worry, ask all your questions and let us know how you make out...
You are in my thoughts..
laney
Hi Steph. Like the other ladies have said, many different things can make your CA125 be elevated. I know how hard it is not to worry, but you definately need answers on what to do next. Are you seeing a gyn or was it your PCP that you saw? I just want you to know that we are here for you when you need to vent or if you have other questions. Call your doctor tomorrow and tell them you would like an appointment so you can discuss your CT results and find out what to do next. I'll be praying for you.
Hugs,
Kasie
Hugs,
Kasie
Hi. I am kind of new to the boards too. I visited here a few times over the last year. I left a post regarding my medical situation yesterday. I hope you are doing ok. I don't know too much about your situation, but I do know that I just had a CA 125 and before I went my Gyn said to remember that it can be elevated in the case of a benign cyst or endo. Yours was within range though. Keep us posted.
Hi,
I agree with all the above. Please try not to worry .. I know that is so easy to say, less easy to do. I don't truly have a lot to add but I wanted you to know that we're all here for you and please keep us posted..
Take care,
Sandy
I agree with all the above. Please try not to worry .. I know that is so easy to say, less easy to do. I don't truly have a lot to add but I wanted you to know that we're all here for you and please keep us posted..
Take care,
Sandy
hi there
sounds like you have some info but you are definitely needing more answers from your doctors.
first thing - if it is a simple cyst/fluid filled only (you absolutely should clarify this w/ your doctor) then typically these are benign and some resolve on their own. the size of your's however is concerning i think only because at that size (if it is still 5.7 cm) they can twist etc causin torsion of the ovary/tube and this hurts immensely.
if they say it is complex (fluid and debris - ie/ blood, solid matter) this does not necessarily mean malignant but they are the ones that typically providers don't want to play around w/ too much in terms of just letting it sit there.
i would do the following:
confirm the diagnosis w/ your doctor and ask specifically what type of cyst they think it is and exactly how big they think it is given the 2 reports.
if they recommend having it out then i wouldn't refuse.often the do an exploratory lap and can see what it is and remove it as well.
regardless of type of cyst the size of it would make me want to see a gyn/onc (not because i think you have ca - they are just much more specialized w/ this stuff) and get his/her opinion.
however, if you feel comfortable w/ your doctor and the diagnosis and whatever plan you are given then go w/ that.
good luck
sounds like you have some info but you are definitely needing more answers from your doctors.
first thing - if it is a simple cyst/fluid filled only (you absolutely should clarify this w/ your doctor) then typically these are benign and some resolve on their own. the size of your's however is concerning i think only because at that size (if it is still 5.7 cm) they can twist etc causin torsion of the ovary/tube and this hurts immensely.
if they say it is complex (fluid and debris - ie/ blood, solid matter) this does not necessarily mean malignant but they are the ones that typically providers don't want to play around w/ too much in terms of just letting it sit there.
i would do the following:
confirm the diagnosis w/ your doctor and ask specifically what type of cyst they think it is and exactly how big they think it is given the 2 reports.
if they recommend having it out then i wouldn't refuse.often the do an exploratory lap and can see what it is and remove it as well.
regardless of type of cyst the size of it would make me want to see a gyn/onc (not because i think you have ca - they are just much more specialized w/ this stuff) and get his/her opinion.
however, if you feel comfortable w/ your doctor and the diagnosis and whatever plan you are given then go w/ that.
good luck
No one told me what kind of cyst it is. I don't even know the difference between simple and complex cysts. I think it was fluid filled if that means anything. I do know that the scan was right. I had it reread by another radiologist, and it is 5.7 cm unless it ruptured before the ultrasound which only measured it at 2 cm. I also know for sure that it was 1.8 cm two years ago. No one even told me I had it then. I really don't understand the discrepancy. Seems unlikely it would suddenly rupture between the tests, but who knows. I look forward to seeing my doc on Tuesday since the other one didn't even examine me. Thanks for writing!
Hi,
I read your post and sent you a message to welcome you to the boards. I also have a cyst that is 5cm. left ovary and it grew over a cm. in the last 2 years. It has to come out now since I'm post-menopausal. I had a cat scan that also had a discrepancy with the sonogram results by about a cm. which was attributed to technical differences. I agree with Silver and Gold who asks in the above post about the Ca-125, and also if you know what kind of cyst it was identified as.
I have a cyst in my liver too, I've had it for years, and the doctors said as long as it's small it's nothing to worry about. Some people are just more prone to developing cysts than others, I guess I'm one of them.
I'll be having surgery in July and will be having the left cyst and ovary removed with laparoscopy.
What was your gyn's recommendation as far as removing the cyst?
Valerie
I read your post and sent you a message to welcome you to the boards. I also have a cyst that is 5cm. left ovary and it grew over a cm. in the last 2 years. It has to come out now since I'm post-menopausal. I had a cat scan that also had a discrepancy with the sonogram results by about a cm. which was attributed to technical differences. I agree with Silver and Gold who asks in the above post about the Ca-125, and also if you know what kind of cyst it was identified as.
I have a cyst in my liver too, I've had it for years, and the doctors said as long as it's small it's nothing to worry about. Some people are just more prone to developing cysts than others, I guess I'm one of them.
I'll be having surgery in July and will be having the left cyst and ovary removed with laparoscopy.
What was your gyn's recommendation as far as removing the cyst?
Valerie
Hi,
what has you gyn said about this? is it a simple or complex cyst?. Although 33 is the upper end of the normal scale for premenopausal women , many things can give a high reading eg complex cysts . I wouldn,t be panicking (I know easier said than done !!) I would go back to your gyn with a set of questions that you need the answers to before you make any decisions about surgery.
Good luck and best wishes Angie
what has you gyn said about this? is it a simple or complex cyst?. Although 33 is the upper end of the normal scale for premenopausal women , many things can give a high reading eg complex cysts . I wouldn,t be panicking (I know easier said than done !!) I would go back to your gyn with a set of questions that you need the answers to before you make any decisions about surgery.
Good luck and best wishes Angie
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