Nervous: cyst, or cancer

Question

I recently have found a small, marble size lump about an inch in on the inside of my vaginal wall. I started to research this type of lump, and found many women have had it, and that most often they are vaginal cysts, and need to be drained. There is no pain, but about 3 years ago, my period was irregular. For about a year it would either skip a month, or then come light, or one month come Very heavy, lasting 3 weeks. I received medical care for that month, as I became anemic. It continued to skip etc, so I went to the Doctor. This had been going on about a year or so, and they said, Let's do an ultrasound. So I had one done, and it was clean.. there was one small cyst, but nothing that was an inch in diameter or more, so they said it was nothing to worry about, and that sometimes your period can be irregular, w/no real cause at my age (I am 31 now, was 28 then.) So I was relieved about the ultrasound, and my period was regular from there on out. Came every month, stayed 5 days, and not heavy. So I guess I'm just nervous about this lump- I realize it could prob. just be a benign cyst..but I also read there are rare instances that it is vaginal/uterine cancer. I read the symptoms of that are irregular periods, but when I DID have those symptoms, for a year, the ultrasound was clear..no tumor, etc. I am a person who worries a lot :( regardless.. I'm just very nervous about having this looked at.. I made the appt. , so it is soon, but has anyone experienced a small lump inside vagina before?? Any info or tips is greatly appreciated.

calmshell · Answer

Hi Dr. Kaur, thank you very much for your response. It really really helped ease my mind, and that is a Good thing. I have a mind that often worries a bit too much, but since my period was irregular for over a year in 2011, I thought back to that, when I felt the vaginal bump/lump. However in early 2012 I did have an ultrasound, and it was clear- only a tiny cyst was found, in which they said it was nothing; that many women have this and they are small. Thank you for taking the time to explain certain cysts that it may be. I will be seeing a new Gynocologist in early March, so that is good, although I'm nervous as well.. argh.. I have read online that many , many women do get lumps on the inside of their vagina, that are marble size as well, so that , along with your feedback, truly helped my mind. I will try to update as well after my March appt. with the Gyno. thank you so much again for your response- have a great day :)

BKaurMD · Answer

Hello,
From your symptoms,it looks like a Bartholin's abscess or cyst. There are glands in the vaginal lips called Bartholin’s glands. These can become painful and swollen, and an abscess can form. This often causes blockage in the main duct from the gland, and a cyst develops. This is felt as a painless, hard swelling.In such cases, antibiotics may be helpful, or surgical treatment might be required.

Other possibilities are sebaceous cysts (accumulations of secretions that can occur Fanywhere on the skin or mucosal surfaces), lipomas (fatty deposits) ,fibromas (fibrous tissue deposits) or viral warts(small raised pimples to a mass of large, cauliflower-like growths. The virus that causes them is passed on during sex).

Cancer of the vulva  is very uncommon and almost always occurs in elderly women. So don’t worry about it.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.