I will include my original post below. I am looking for credible stats for the chances of a persistent complex cyst in a premenopausal woman being malignant. I've read the likelihood is between 5-15% I am 29 years old and trying to gain more info to determine if I should ask for a gyn/onc to do the surgery. Because of my many symptoms, I want to be as cautious and educated as I can be. Thanks.

Lisa (Shashi) ... how did your surgery go?

Thanks!

Julie

I've been sent from doctor to doctor for months now because of a long list of symptoms. I had a vaginal US in November and they found a complex cyst on my left ovary. An abdominal/pelvic CT scan a month later shows that the cyst has grown to 4cm. At first, I thought this finding was incidental, but now I am wondering if it is connected to my symptoms and starting to get nervous ... Even though I am only 29, I can't stop worrying about OVCA. The CT scan also revealed gallstones, but I do not have right quadrant pain.


Daily Symptoms:
Nausea, diarrhea, night sweats, loss of appetite, feeling full quickly, unintentional weight loss (20 pounds in 3 months), frequent urination, pelvic/abdominal tenderness

I had colon polyps removed a couple of years ago. Following up with a GI doc in a couple of weeks. I do have some family history of cancer. My grandmother had breast cancer at 36.

Thoughts, suggestions? My gyn said I would probably want to have the cyst removed. I was planning to wait until February when I have a break from school (I am a high school counselor), but I think I am just going to stress about it if I wait that long.

I keep reading about the CA125 test being unreliable. Does anyone think it would be helpful for me to have it done?

You are right about a number of things. Most of the symptoms you are having are symptoms for ovarian cancer. Conversely you are right about the statistic of young ovarian cancer occurances. It is fairly unlikely for younger women. unfortunatly I am one of the unlucky ones. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 3 years ago when I was 22. Also something to keep in mind is that Ovarian and Breast cancer (only when diagnosed before menopause or so) are related to each other.

So 1st of all try not to worry to much unless you know something for sure. I am not telling you that you for sure have ovarian cancer but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to to get your ca-125 levels tested. But remember, like you said, they can be a little unreliable.

good luck

The CA-125 along with the other CA antigens for different cancers are not used to diagnose anything. They are intended to monitor how a person is responding to therapy and treatments. I would look into seeing the gyn/onc with your symptoms. It doesn't hurt to have a doc with even more credentials taking care of you. I hope and pray the best for you.

Julie, my surgery ended up being more complicated than expected. It was supposed to be done laparoscopically, but when the doctor got in there, there was too much scar tissue and adhesions. Evidentially, everything was stuck together. I ended up having to have an open procedure with an 8" incision and had to stay in the hospital for four days.

Thankfully, there was no cancer, just a 4-cm tumor on my left ovary and a golf ball sized one on the right. That was what was causing all my symptoms, because since surgery, I haven't had any of the problems I had before.

I'm feeling pretty good now, even with the more extensive surgery. My incision is almost healed and I have very little pain. I'm on the Vivelle-Dot transdermal patch and I haven't had any hot flashes or anything.

If it's any comfort, the majority of all ovarian cysts are benign. There are usually certain characteristics which can identify a cyst as being cancerous or benign on ultrasound, though the final determination usually has to be made from a biopsy.

If you could have the cyst removed laparoscopically, it might be something you want to think about. Supposedly the recovery is a lot easier than an open procedure. Good luck with your decision.

Hugs,

Lisa

Hello Jules,

I think the advice that these ladies are giving you is very good advice. In addition to the worrisome symptoms that you are having, you also need to consider the fact that the cyst is increasing in size (this is what you had mentioned in your original posting).

Although I do think that you should still consider getting the CA-125 done as an extra safety measure, I am not sure that it will serve to give you any reassurance if it comes in low and within the normal range. You will still have at least some doubt due to the symptoms you are having, your cyst's complex features & its behaviour (ie. growth). In addition to the fact that you have had a relative with a gynecological cancer. This is not to say that you definitely have ovarian cancer and you probably don't, but these factors will bug the heck out of you if they haven't already.

If you can have the thing taken out laparoscopically and have it biopsied, this would be the ideal situation and I would certainly get a gyn/oncologist's opinion on this (or get several just to be sure). I so completely understand that you do not want to have unnecessary surgery and yes most probably the cyst will end up being benign but on the other hand, you may get rid of these awful symptoms you are having and you will also get definite assurance that the cyst was benign.

What would it hurt to discuss these things with a good gyn/oncologist ?