chance of benign cyst indicating more?

[janewb]

I had an ovarian cystectomy and partial oophorectomy about three months ago.  I had a large cyst (about 15 cm) and a smaller one removed by laparotomy.  Everything turned out to be benign and I'm feeling almost 100% healed from surgery.  I am wondering if complex masses like the ones I had can be indicators of a higher risk factor for ovarian cancer in the future.  My surgeon has requested that I get a colonoscopy for cautionary purposes (although I'm only 28) because there is colon cancer on both sides of my family.  From what I understand, the gene that carries colon cancer is the same gene as ovarian cancer ... I don't want to be a ridiculous worry-wart, but I guess I am wondering - did my recent medical situation indicate a higher proclivity for ovarian cancer?  If so, how should I monitor this?

[LindaF]

From what I learned from John's Hopkins, no, your previous benign cyst does not put you at risk for ovarian cancer. It's true though that colon cancer (in 1st degree relatives especially) puts you at risk for both ovarian and colon cancer. Would I worry about it all the time? No because you can get preventative testing to help catch anything VERY early. I would do the colonoscopy and you might want to ask you gyno to add a yearly ultrasound as a precaution.

L.

[janewb]

Thank you!

[lactac1224]

I would also ask your doc to add a yearly CA 125.  It is not always accurate, but it can't hurt!