Complex Ovarian Cyst age 51 and waiting results

[NCgal51]

Hi everyone, I'm glad this forum is here. During a routine gyn exam about two months ago, my Dr. felt my right ovary and it was a bit tender so she sent me for an U/S. The U/S indicated a .3 cm cyst on my LEFT ovary (nothing on the right). At that time, they called it a functional cyst and ordered the procedure again in 7 weeks to see if it had resolved. I had the second procedure and they told me that it had grown and was complex. She (my doctor) referred me to a gyn (she was a general practitioner) and ordered the CA-125 blood test. I am now awaiting results. I have not entered menopause yet and, to the contrary, have had periods every 3 weeks for the last 3 periods. Now I realize this could be abdormal bleeding. Even before that, however, I had not stopped menstruation, even though it had become a bit more erratic the past year. I am very healthy and had no other symptoms except for the feeling of having to urinate frequently and some pressure in my lower abdomen for the past 2-3 months. I'm scared silly - I have a special needs child. I have always joked that I have to live to be 150 to make sure he's going to be OK! Anybody been through a similar experience? Does anybody know the true percentage of complex ovarian cysts being benign around age 50? What about the fact that they first said it was functional and then two months later call it complex? Oh, I should mention, the woman on the phone could not tell me how much it had grown and I haven't been to the Dr. yet.... Thanks for any support. I feel a bit alone right now.

[Sandymac]

Hi,
You might also like to post on the "Ovarian Cyst" forum. Lots of information there as well.. gals with lots of experience.. As one of the previous posters said, the CA-125 is not always a reliable tool. Many things can cause the numbers to be elevated.. Good luck

[CA25]

Amen!

[livertrans]

Usually the complex cysts are begnin.  They are doing the right thing monitoring it and how much it grows.  From what I have read the CA 125 does not help diagnosing in a case like yours. Just a starting marker.  About 5 years ago they started monitoring a complex cyst on me.  They found it on a routine ultrasound that I had every 6 months because, at the time, I was on a liver transplant list.  Over the next 18 months my cyst kept growing fairly rapidly.  The gyn/onc told me, finally, that it should come out.  She stressed that they are almost always begnin but that because of the fast growth they can turn malignant.  Mine was the size of a football by the time they took it out.  I was post menopause but had no indication to judge by since I had my uterus removed at 37 because of other problems.  Lucky me, no hot flashes.
Anyhow, it was begnin and other than problems I had post op I am doing fine.
Good luck.  I know they are not as fast to take ovaries out when you have not gone through menopause yet.  Oh ya.  Was removed from transplant list 2 1/2 years ago because my health had improved so much.  Yipppeeeee!

[doublek180]

thanks for your reply. also..let me know what the doctor tells you tomorrow! Ask her how big it is too, and how much its grown since last transvaginal ultrasound. Let the doctor know how scared you are and that you need some comforting insight from him/her..that way she/he will know to answer all the questions you have in such a way not to scare the crap out of you! maybe take a list of your questions with you tomorrow! or take a tape recorder so later you can play it back and know for certain what she/he told you. GOOD LUCK!

[NCgal51]

Hi-its good to connect. I am freaking like you. Trying to breathe. Don't know the results of the CA-125 but the gynecologist did have a cancellation for 9:00 tomorrow a.m. so I'll go in and see him and go from there. Reading these forums, you definitely don't feel as alone. I will ask about solid/sepatations. I have also gained a lot of knowledge in a short time reading these posts!

I don't know enough to make any medical comment, but will think good thoughts for your surgery!

[doublek180]

Hi ..i know how scared you are as im going through the same thing...im 46 and have a cyst/tumor for..get this..3 years now!! yes..the same cyst/tumor. it was 4.6cm three years ago and now its 8.6cm..it has fluid in center and solid around it..alot more solid! i have been scared for a while now..had lost insurance so now that i have it again after 3 years im getting a hysterectomy jan 8th.the doctor seems to think its a fibroma of the ovary since its more solid and has no septations...although they can still have septations and be benign too. now ive been soooo stressed about the surgery and have been bleeding for almost 3 weeks! so freaking about that too now!  *sigh*  getting an endometrium biopsy done this wed. i have been online searching for comfort...seems to freak me out more tho..lol. since i havent had a period for over a year now ( im thinking it due to this tumor) but my doc thinks im menopausal...dang..im only 46!  they tell me since i have had this cyst/tumor for sooo long and it hasnt grown that much its most likey benign..i PRAY it is benign!!!!   there are cyst/tumors that can really mess with your periods....keep us posted on how you are!! ..also ask your doc if its more solid and if there are any septations. GOOD LUCK...and try not to freak like me!  lol