Ovarian lesion cyst or something else?

[Hollyluigi72]

Hello,
I'm not sure where to get some advice so I'm trying this forum. A little background on my issues:
1. Innumerable uterine fibroids which I had fibroid embolization for last January. Very heavy bleeds being the reason I sought treatment.
2. Endometrial biopsy in December and pap both normal.

Since the endometrial biopsy, I had constant pain in the right side. Started my period on December 18th. Period seemed relatively normal. Everyday since I have spotted or had mucus discharge that is pink, red or brown. Went to my Gyne, he said elevated wbc in my smear and that my right side felt bigger than normal. Had a TV ultrasound a couple days ago and here's the results:
REASON FOR EXAM: Pelvic pain. Vaginal bleeding. History of fibroids

Uterus measures 10.3 x 10.6 x 7.4 cm. Endometrium measures 11.9 mm in
thickness. The 10.3 cm measurement does not include the pedunculated
uterine masses
Right ovary measures 5.3 x 4.3 x 3.8 cm. Left ovary measures 3.4 x 2.7
x 2.5 cm.
Heterogeneous myometrium is noted. Multiple fibroids are seen. The 4
largest fibroids measure 5.5, 5.3, 4.8, and 4.9 cm in maximum
diameter.
Physiological cysts are seen in the left ovary with the largest
measuring 1.5 cm.
A complex cyst lesion is noted in close proximity to the right ovary
measuring 3.4 x 3.8 x 4.7 cm. This may represent a complex right
ovarian cyst. Possibility of a degenerated pedunculated fibroid
cannot be excluded.

IMPRESSION:

Large heterogeneous uterus with multiple large fibroids. No
significant interval change since 6/18/2012.

3.4 x 3.8 x 4.7 cm complex lesion in the right side of the pelvis.
Consider a complex cyst. Cannot exclude a pedunculated degenerated
fibroid. Consider followup ultrasound or followup MRI.

My concern is that in October I had a TV ultrasound and ovaries were normal. I'm super scared and could really use some advice and opinions on what to do and could this be cancer? Could there be torsion that they're not seeing? Everyday I have pain in my right side that radiates to my back and leg. Nausea, heartburn, fatigue. Thanks for reading and sorry for the lengthy post.

[old_before_my_time]

Yes, gynecologic surgery especially hysterectomy and oophorectomy are grossly overused and are very profitable. Yet only about 2% of them are done for a cancer diagnosis. The use of robotics (da Vinci) seems to be the latest marketing gimmick with promises of smaller incisions and shorter recoveries. But the after effects of hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy are long-term and progressive regardless of the method used.

The female sex organs have life long, non-reproductive functions. There is never a time when they are disposable. Of course, if a biopsy shows cancer, then that is different story. But very few women who lose organs have a gynecologic cancer since those cancers are rare as shown by U.S. government statistics on cancer.gov.

[HVAC]

  I would also get a second opinion. I wished I had gotten a second opinion. It would have not changed my surgery but the doctor and hospital a chose were so much worse than another local hospital. Both were high ranking teaching hospitals. I ended up switching in the middle of chemo. The worse hospital was also more expensive. I never saw my doctor after my initial visit. Not the day of surgery or my six days in the hospital or during my chemo. I had no doctor only a nurse and interns. The doctor was not going to see me for six months. The care I got was awful. The surgery did go okay. They just did not care how sick I was.

I love my new doctor and hospital they take good care of me. I see a doctor all the time. I also like having

My main problem now is it ruined my sex life. It is hard on me and my husband. I could not have changed the surgery because I had cancer in 8 places. I just wish I had known. They do everything to try to help save men's sexuality with prostate surgery but they do not care about women.

I always get a second opinion for anything big now.

Alex

[Hollyluigi72]

Thank you so much for your response. The doctors office called today and said "you need a hysterectomy" so you are right about how quickly they jump to surgery. They gave me NO other explanations or options. I am sorry you are going through such a hard time with them taking your girly parts. Hugs to you and I will update you with what happens next ;)  

[old_before_my_time]

For one, degenerating fibroids can be quite painful. And having had UFE for all those fibroids, they are probably in the degeneration stage. Ovarian cysts can also cause pain. MOST cysts, even complex ones, are benign (non-cancerous). And most resolve on their own over time although not sure what percentage of complex cysts go away versus need surgical removal. It seems I read that ovarian torsion is typically not a concern until a cyst gets to be over about 7cm. So if yours is not particularly suspicious looking (based on certain traits) and you do not have a family history of ovarian cancer, they should be able to just monitor it. Unfortunately, many gynecologists are too quick to do surgery since that is how they make most of their money. And even more concerning is that there is a VERY HIGH RATE of unnecessary female organ removal (ovary/ies, uterus, tubes) when removal of just the growth is all that is warranted (cystectomy, myomectomy).

I had a 9.5cm complex ovarian cyst. A gynecologist who has good cystectomy skills and practices ethical medicine would most likely have removed just the cyst. Instead I lost ALL my sex organs - both ovaries, uterus, and tubes. I have aged horrifically fast and every aspect of my life has been negatively affected.

An INTACT woman's ovaries produce hormones into her 80's for good health. Studies show that removal of any part of the female sex organ / "reproductive" system can wreak havoc on the endocrine system which increases risk for a number of health issues as well as quality of life.

Hope this helps! Let us know what more you find out and how you are doing.