abnormal pap and ct scan and pelvic ultrasound

i posted about a week ago and did not get very many responses i had an abnormal pelvic ultra sound with an abnormal pap test and then a ct that showed a cyst or mass on my ovary ,i go see a gyn oncologist next week ,my ultrasound showed a growth of some sort in my uterus also .any one had any of these findings please let me know i am now very scared. teresa 38.

Teresa,

My mother was diagnosed with stage IIIc uterine/ovarian cancer after her ob/gyn discovered a mass involving her left ovary via CT scan. Ovarian cancer would not result in an abnormal pap smear, however, and ovarian cysts and fibroids are both common findings. It's my understanding that physicians can usually distinguish a cyst (fluid filled) from a mass (more solid) on CT scan, but there may be situations in which they cannot do that. So, it seems like you have three different issues at the moment, and you need to be aware of all three of them.

If I were you, I would write down all questions for your gyn/oncologist ahead of time. I find that that always helps, because it's hard to get yourself together when you might be feeling upset. My mother's ob/gyn did a CA-125 before referring her to the gyn/oncologist. Have you had that blood test? Then, when my mother was at the gyn/oncologist, he did a biopsy of her uterus and scheduled a radical hysterectomy. He did not feel that the mass on her ovary was likely to be cancerous, at least, not until he received the results of the biopsy, which showed cancerous tissue in her uterus. For that reason, I would - in your place - be very clear about the various growths when talking to the gyn/oncologist. "The report says X. What does that mean? Can you tell the difference between X and Y? How do you know these are Z?" Ask your gynecologist for a copy of the ultrasound and CT reports and ask your gyn/onc - or his nurse - to explain them to you in detail.

Good luck w/your appointment. Please let us know how it goes.

what happened to me was i was having pain on my right side i took an ultrasound and it showed a cyst or mass it required further testing i took the cat scan (which i had to drink a very nasty liquid) before i got the results bak i was in the hospital because my cyst bursted and it was a burning and painful situation. so that was what they seen on my cat scan. but i would definitely get the report and films and go to a specialist . better to be safe.

A cyst is fluid filled and very obvious to a radiologist reading scan. It is smooth in appearance. A cancerous tumor is jagged on the edges and is pretty easily distinguished by the rad. reading the ct scan. I always ask to read my report and at the bottom of the page it will have the rad. final impression but this in not conclussive that if why they do more test usually.

Also- Uterine growths are frequently fibroids which are not cnacerous and an abnormal pap only has to do with your cervix not your uterus.

Teresa38- I just remembered I had a ultrasound right around the time that i was ovulating and it showed up as a cyst on the report. This is normal to see when you are ovulation because the egg is slowly bursting out of the overy and looks a lot like a cyst. Hope that is all it was.

Originally Posted by jacksinn

Also- Uterine growths are frequently fibroids which are not cnacerous and an abnormal pap only has to do with your cervix not your uterus.

A pap smear is used primarily to detect cervical cancer or abnormal cervical cells, but may also show abnormal cells from the uterus as well.

Theresa,
Try not to be so frightened... many of your symptoms could just as well be extremely benign. You've had a CT and ultrasound which have shown an ovarian cyst/mass. One of your responders is right - it is very easy to differentiate between a cyst and a solid mass on ultrasound. Additionally, it is also easy to tell the difference between what appears to be a benign ovarian cyst versus a more complex cyst from just an ultrasound alone (based on calcifications, septations, papilations, etc). Your doctor should be able to interpret those reports for you. If it looks like a more complex cyst with malignant potential, your doctor will likely need to remove it surgically.

The abnormal pap smear is a different issue. It could be a variety of different things from just benign changes which require nothing more than a follow up pap smear in a few months, HPV, or cervical cancer. Although, I do want to mention that you can find abnormal cells from the uterus on a pap smear, although usually the test is used to detect abnormal cervical cells. Growths in the uterus are commonly fibroids. Less commonly they can represent malignancies. They can also be polyps. Do you have heavy periods? Women with fibroids tend to bleed heavier during their periods.

Hope you find the answers you need. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Theresa,

Hi. My name is Karen. I have recently had a tv us bcuz of PCP feeling 'something' upon palpation. I went to doc bcuz of extended period (15 days) and 2 in a month. He sent me for us. They called Mon w/ results which included complex cystic mass, enlarged uterus that's lobulated, and exophytic fibroid w/in uterus. I go tomorrow for gyn appt.

Just wondering how you are making out w/ your appts? Hope all is well. I'm just in the process of researching to arm myself w/ knowledge before my appt.

Karen

just wanted to let everyone know i had ab endotrimitrial biopsy today ,they are going to do a complete hysterectomy on march 23 they are removing my ovaries uterus and cervix, if the biopsy comes back abnormal it may be sooner .keep me in your prayers teresa.

Teresa,

It sounds like things are going right on schedule. My mother also had a uterine biopsy after her other findings, before she was diagnosed. Are you seeing a gynecologist or a gynecological oncologist?

I ask because the distinction is important. Do you know?

he is an gynenocologist ,oncologist,thanks teresa