About 2 years ago, I started asking my doctors about the frequent gas, indigestion, constipation and fullness i often experience. A gastroentimologist said i "probably" have IBS. My gyno also said I had a cyst on my right ovary and 'let's keep an eye of it.'

Two months ago, i had a vaginal ultrasound. Yesterday, i had a followup ultrasound and it's still there, about 2.5 inches, not simple but doesn't look cancerous either. I do have fibroids, but doc said they can't rule out cancer unless they do a biopsy.

At this point, she said i could either continue to wait and see and monitor it. It hasn't changed in size at all. I also had the CA 125 blood test 2 months ago and it came back very low (normal). Alternatively, she said we could do a laproscopy to get a better look at it and possibly remove it at the same time if it didnt' prove to be a fibroid.

For peace of mind, i think i want to do the laproscopy, tho it could be either a day or 2 out of the office or 4 to 6 weeks recovery time, she said, if they remove the cyst. Not an insignificant point, but of course my health is the priority here.

So what would you do? I'm feeling very fearful of the whole procedure, either way, i guess. Do you think the laproscopy is overreacting at this point or a reasonable and wise way to go? The doc did say an MRI might provide a little more info, ie, if the texture looked like a fibroid, but it still wouoldn't rule out ovarian cancer, which of course is my greatest concern.

I am 46, have no history of ovarian cancer in my family, but also have never had children and was on birth control for i guess a few years in my 20s.

Any feedback, even if just your own personal reaction/choice, would be very helpful.

Hi,
I am in the same situation as you. I have a complex cyst on my left ovary found by a CT scan and ultrasound back in Nov. I have not been back in to have the ultrasound repeated yet. Are you having any discomfort in your pelvic area? My discomfort went away only to return again several weeks ago. My GYN put me on BCP's but I think the discomfort is worse on the pill. I have read so many posts from ladies my age 51, who are developing cysts at this stage of life. I am going to wait this out and see if the cyst doesn't dissolve on it's own. I just have to get up the nerve to go back in for another ultrasound. I know the cyst is still there, or maybe it's a new one causing pain now! I guess you just have to do whatever you feel comfortable with. I have read that the problems with cysts get less as we approach menopause. That can't come too soon for me! Good Luck Ann

No, I'mnot having any special pain or discomfort.

Yesterday when i spoke to my gyno i told her i wanted to proceed with the laprascopy; she said if they go in and see it's not a fibroid, they could take it out at the same time.

Now I'm thinking if she's possibly going to do surgery, i might 1. want a specialist and 2. want a 2nd opinion before going under the knife.

i made an appt. this a.m. with 1 of the 2 gynecologic oncologists my insurance co apparently has in their network, in my entire state of CT! Appt. is about 20 days away, so it appears i just have to sit tight and try not to worry too much about it. Worry for me is my middle name. I think PROBABLY it's not cancer, but just knowing there's some sort of growth in me that is 'unknown' at this point is kind of scary, especially given the pretty poor prognosis of most people who are diagnosed with OC.

I just figure the 2nd opinion will give me more information with which to base my decision on how to proceed. Even if i decided to do nothing, it hopefully will give me greater peace of mind that it's an ok decision to make. My gyno really didn't push me either way and it was hard to make up my mind for that reason.

From what i've read, these cysts are very common but OC in someone under 60 is somewhat rare, tho not unheard of. Yet, i don't want to take chances with my own health; if i'm the 1% who gets it at my age, i sure don't want to regret waiting around and doing nothing just becus i thought the odds were with me.

i think the BCP will help lessen the likelihood that more cysts will develop, but i don't think they'll do much to resolve the cyst you now have.

Please don't let any qualms about the ultrasound keep you from going in for the followup.

Joelle,
Did I read your post correctly, have you had the ovarian cyst for two years? Have you been having repeat ultrasounds every so often? I have read different things about ovarian cysts turning cancerous. I'm not sure what to think. I would guess that if your cyst has been there for 2 years it surely is benign, but puzzling why it hasn't gone away. Maybe our messed up hormones during peri-menopause do strange things to our ovaries along with every other organ in our bodies! Ann

Yes, my gyno first noticed a cyst about 2 years ago, but i(we) are not sure if what i have now is the same one. I've only had the 2 ultrasounds and that blood test; gyno didn't seem overly concerned as she said it didn't look cancerous or change size/appearance, altho it was complex, not simple.

I think i should investigate this further so am feeling better now that i made that appt. with the specialist.