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Septated Cystic Structure
Hi! I'm new to this site, but thought I would ask for other similar experiences. I'm 35 years old and have 2 healthy kids. I've never had any issues before with my period but my last one was last October. My husband and I could have sworn we were pregnant but after 5 HPT and 1 blood test, found out that I was not. I still had all the symptoms though, severe headaches for weeks on end, cramping, nausea, lower back pain. My right side of my abdomen was killing me a week later I ended up in the er with severe pain and bleeding. An inner and outer US showed a 6.8cm separated cystic structure and ovarian lesion. I was told to followup with my OBGYN. Which I did. She said to wait 6-8 weeks and do a repeat US. Well I was referred to a new dr. since my old obgyn retired from that practice. The new dr. has been much more sympathetic. I saw her last friday 1/8 and she ordered more blood tests (Ca-125, Ova-1, Estradiol. Inhibin A and B) and an inner/outer US. Just finished that all today and now is the waiting game. I've had good days and bad days with pain. Pain is now all over abodomen, but right lower back and now upper thigh is hurting. Anyone else have anything that they can share similar to this? The waiting is not fun! Thank you!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Welcome to the community. The odds are in your favor that this cyst is benign especially if you do not have a family history of ovarian cancer (women with average risk have a 1.3% lifetime risk of OC). Although many cysts resolve on their own in 2 to 3 cycles, some never will. Even most suspicious looking adnexal masses / lesions are not cancerous.
Hemorrhagic cysts, endometriomas, and dermoid (mature teratoma) cysts are all benign and can get quite large. Most complex cysts are benign despite some concerning characteristics. Any large cyst (over 7cm or so) puts you at risk for ovarian torsion which is why you don't want to let them get too large. But you don't want to have surgery unnecessarily either.
Unfortunately, scans are not always specific enough to tell the type of cyst. And some radiologists have more experience than others with ovarian cysts or masses.
If you do need surgery, it is best to have just the cyst removed (cystectomy) if the frozen section done while you are in the operating room shows it is benign. Removal of even one ovary can permanently disrupt the hormonal / endocrine system (the ovaries are endocrine glands) and have permanent negative effects on every aspect of health. A woman's ovaries never shut down. They just switch "gears" from reproductive functions to purely endocrine functions after menopause. They are shown to produce hormones our whole lives for good health and well-being. Far too many women with benign cysts / masses / lesions lose an ovary or ovaries when all that should be removed is the cyst / mass. Ditto for the uterus. Why not remove the fibroids or polyps versus the organ so that women can keep the anatomical, structural / skeletal, sexual, and hormonal functions of their uterus? At the most 10% of hysterectomies are necessary. And the majority of ovary removals are likewise unwarranted. So if you need surgery, be sure you have a surgeon who has the skills and ethics to remove just the cyst if it is benign.
Hope this helps!
Hemorrhagic cysts, endometriomas, and dermoid (mature teratoma) cysts are all benign and can get quite large. Most complex cysts are benign despite some concerning characteristics. Any large cyst (over 7cm or so) puts you at risk for ovarian torsion which is why you don't want to let them get too large. But you don't want to have surgery unnecessarily either.
Unfortunately, scans are not always specific enough to tell the type of cyst. And some radiologists have more experience than others with ovarian cysts or masses.
If you do need surgery, it is best to have just the cyst removed (cystectomy) if the frozen section done while you are in the operating room shows it is benign. Removal of even one ovary can permanently disrupt the hormonal / endocrine system (the ovaries are endocrine glands) and have permanent negative effects on every aspect of health. A woman's ovaries never shut down. They just switch "gears" from reproductive functions to purely endocrine functions after menopause. They are shown to produce hormones our whole lives for good health and well-being. Far too many women with benign cysts / masses / lesions lose an ovary or ovaries when all that should be removed is the cyst / mass. Ditto for the uterus. Why not remove the fibroids or polyps versus the organ so that women can keep the anatomical, structural / skeletal, sexual, and hormonal functions of their uterus? At the most 10% of hysterectomies are necessary. And the majority of ovary removals are likewise unwarranted. So if you need surgery, be sure you have a surgeon who has the skills and ethics to remove just the cyst if it is benign.
Hope this helps!
Oh and I forgot to mention that it was also referred to as an adnexal mass. Not sure what that means!
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