Hi all i am wondering when a Dr. would be worried of ovarian cancer?
Love, Monkey

Hi Monkey,
I read your posts in the other cyst thread. The fact your cysts have persisted, caused symptoms, look suspicious, and there is free fluid is cause enough for further investigation. They say cysts are rarely cancerous, and because of this I am noticing doctors often lag in regards to treating. The CA-125 is not accurate. It can give a positive reading, and cancer may not be present, it could be elevated by several other benign conditions. Also false negatives are possible, so its just another tool that may help in diagnosing. Considering what has happened to poor Shashi, even if they are benign they can still cause irreversbile damage to the ovaries. My advice would be trust your gut & what your body is telling you. If after the 30th things look the same & they still want you to wait out a few more months or even weeks, then I would either push for further investigation or seek a second opinion. It sounds like you have been suffering for awhile now. Hang in there. Let us know how it goes on the 30th, sending best wishes your way!

HUGS!!!

cyn, thanks for the reply! I got my report from my recent ultrasound today and it sayd the one cyst is resolving but now has the two new cysts there are more cysts that are both containing echogenic fluid, do you know what this mean? My Dr. wants to see me the week right after i see the GYN because she is also concerned, does any of this mean anything?
Love, Monkey

Hello Monkey,

Glad to hear that one of the cysts appears to be resolving. As to your question regarding the term echogenic fluid for the other cysts, I looked it up in a medical dictionary and it means,"giving rise to reflections (echoes) of ultrasound waves". This can be compared to the term echolucent which means,"permitting the passage of ultrasonic waves without giving rise to echoes, representative areas appearing black on the sonogram". I remember my gynecologist telling me that it is difficult to know what kind of fluid is contained in a cyst, even in a simple cyst .. it could be mucus like, for example .. or I am thinking that perhaps if the cyst has blood in it (what they call a chocolate cyst) it may give off echoes. I am most definitely not a radiologist though so it might be a good idea to contact your general practioner again to see if she can take a minute to explain the ultrasound report and what she thinks it means. You may also want to contact your gynecologist's office to see if they can fit you in earlier than the 30th. Sometimes they have cancellations. Tell them that you are experiencing a lot of pain and multiple ovarian cysts. This will perhaps save you a week's worth of worry.

I hope you get your answers soon and in the meantime, take good care of yourself and try to relax as much as possible.

Estrie, i think i can wait now that i'm less anxious after med adjustment lol. But yes i believe the other cyst would have tottaly resolved after eight weeks or so and now theres more ugh. Are you saying it's a good thing to be permitting or it shouldn't be? It sounds like your saying if it's got blood in it it should be giving of the echoes? Another thing i don't understan is they didn't measure the two other cyst that showed up on this scan per report. I am gonna post my previous results also when i can find what i did whit ugh. Take care!
Love, MOnkey

Hi Monkey,

I am not sure why the liquid would be giving off echoes. It is probably due to the kind of liquid involved (ie. mucus, blood, follicular fluid or whatever). I am no expert so this is why you should talk to your doctor to clarify what is being said on the report. It is very strange that they did not measure the size of the other cysts. Glad you are less anxious though. Take care and good luck with the appointment.

estria, i am not worrying at all just doing research and i ran across this site that says this and am wondering wouldn't be more caustious to take these ovaries out you think if it says this?
:Sonography is more sensitive than computed tomography for the detection of pelvic masses and is capable of yielding qualitative information about a mass that can help determine whether it is malignant. An ovarian mass composed of both solid and cystic components, especially if it is septated (multicystic) and echogenic (implying free-floating tumor debris), is referred to as complex and suggests a malignancy. Conversely, a so-called simple cyst is entirely fluid filled, is nonechogenic, and is not associated with a solid component. Simple cysts are usually benign? In my opinion they shoud, but i know truly it is up to the Dr.
Love, Monkey

Hi Monkey,

What you found is indeed food for thought. Has your general practioner actually seen your last ultrasound report ? If not, I would certainly contact her and express your concerns, including the fact that the fluid is echogenic and what this might mean. I would also try to get an earlier appointment with your gynecologist, although the appointment is now coming up fast. Still, an earlier appointment would save you the hassle of wondering.

I do believe that when cysts have solid components, they will at the very least do a biopsy to make sure that there are no abnormal cells present. A couple of years ago, my sister in law was having persistent bloating problems and they discovered a 12 cm complex, septated cyst which obstructed the view of both of her ovaries. Add to that, the fact that her Cancer Antigen CA-125 was elevated. They decided to go in with a laparotomy (instead of a laparoscopy which is a bit less invasive) to take it out and after all of this, it turned out to be benign (thank goodness). She lost one of her ovaries but was still able to conceive with the other one so loosing an ovary is not such a big issue (not to mention, she was still able to remain pre menopausal with the other one).

I think it is always better to err on the side of caution, especially when it comes to your health. Try to collect all of the medical reports that you have available, review what they say and make a list of all of the items that you feel are a cause for concern (ie. that you wish to discuss). In addition, on a separate list, put down all of your physical symptoms and try to write down approximate dates of when the symptoms first appeared (your recollection anyway) and if they have persisted or reoccurred. Then in light of all of this, write down a few high priority questions or concerns that you wish to clarify. Use point form so that you can refer to this quickly when you meet with your gyne. In other words, be prepared to have your needs met.

I have also found that devising and concentrating on keeping up a good "health / feel good" regimen is a great way to stay busy and feel better during the waiting game. Regular walks, some relaxing yoga and stretching exercises, lots of herb tea (with honey and a twist of lemon), warm bubble baths, listening to music or reading a really good book. Sometimes you have to force yourself to do this but eventually the rewards begin to happen and you find yourself relying on that daily walk and that hot cup of tea.

All the best for your appointment and do keep us posted.

estria, the gyn hasn't seen the report yet he will on the 30th though. I am actually not too concerned as i know they can be very benign in alot of cases but my main concern being all the stomach problems have had and then they found the cysts from other tests, so i will just be patient! As you know we all have a tendency to worry and like others im sure i just like to research and i really don't know alot of family history but gyn cancers do run in my family and breast so i feel the need to keep on top of my health! I know also that even dr.s can't even say for sure unless they do take them out as a biopsy can't even be a sure thing. My main worry i guess is that my dad told me always that i was born with this certain type of gene or chromosone that i am prone to have more difficulties and also with all the stomach problems with having type blood A are more supseptical to stomach cancer, and gee no wonder my dr. thinks i may have an ulcer lol! I guess thats why i have a diagnosis of agoraphobia because i'm a worry wart! Although like i said it's never a bad thing to be too cautious when i comes to ones health! I will relax and let the dr. give me his opionion on the 30th because it's not like i'm gonna die in that time!
Take care,Love Monkey

Hi Monkey,

I totally agree. Since your appointment is next week, you should have a medical plan of action laid out fairly soon. You may want to find out what this gene that your father mentioned is all about, especially if gyne cancers are present in your family. You will definitely want to mention this to your doctor. If you do end up being at higher risk, it does not necessarily mean you will get cancer but it does mean that you will have to go for more regular tests or perhaps begin screenings at an earlier age. I too have stomach issues in my family (cancers, ulcers etc..) and I think this is all the more reason that we have to learn to relax and just let go at times (something I find very difficult to do).

Good luck on your appointment and let us know what the doctor says.