Hello:

Just recently my gynecologist informed me that a large mass - about the size of a large grapefruit - was found over the right side of my uterus. Several years ago, my previous gyn (I stopped seeing him because I moved) told me I had a small complex cyst & that it wasn't anything to worry about, judging from the tests he ran at that time.

That was about 1 1/2 years ago. I'm wondering if it's possible that this mass is the same cyst that my former gyn found? I have a history of ovarian cysts & had a laparatomy in 1999. I am concerned about what this mass could be, given the fact that it's so large & that it is surrounded by some fluid.

One of my friends informed me that she had a similar mass, but it turned out to be benign. I'm worried about what this could be - I would appreciate any advice anyone could give. One of my former co-workers passed away due to ovarian cancer - she was in her early fifties. I am 42 & from the symptoms I've been having - hot flashes, constant bleeding, etc, I was under the impression that I was going through menopause.

Any thoughts? Thank you.

Diana