Can you just leave a cyst alone?

[AnnKr]

Hi everyone,
I've posted before but I need some advice. I was diagnosed last year with a cyst on my ovary along with a fibroid.  I have no symptoms at all.  Was found during an annual exam.  Cyst was 5cms last September.  Went down to under 2cms last November.  I went last month and it is the same... 1.9 cms. One doctor said take out the cyst with the ovary.  I went for a second opinion and she said it is fine and all hormonal... nothing to worry about and no need for surgery.  She can't even justify surgery since according to the radiologist report it is most likely an endometrioma.  She will check it every six months.  Hmmm... now I don't know what to do.  I had a ca-125 last year and it was normal.  Last month it was elevated to 50 but every doctor gyn so far said this test is definitely not accurate.  (I asked my regular doctor to give ime the ca-125 and she said, "Sure, why not?"  I am 46 with normal periods and have no symptoms whatsoever.  Am I safe in waiting or do I go and get a third opinion?????

[AnnKr]

Thanks so much for your information.  It really helped and you as well as the others here will remain in my prayers always.

The reason I am so concerned is that about ten years ago, I read the book, "It's Always Something" by Gilda Radner.  She was misdiagnosed for a very long period of time until it was too late for her.  That plus the fact that the first doctor said to me, "We never will know for sure until it is removed and do a biopsy."  Those things haunt me.  Every ovarian cyst that turns serious most likely started out very tiny and innocent.  I will definitely look at the bright side as I do many of the things you mentioned.  I am the president of an all breed dog rescue and I also teach special education.  My life is very rewarding and I have been blessed many times over. I never forget that and am constantly giving thanks.  Since I have had two opinions that are so totally different, I think I need to get the third to see where that doctors opinion lands.  I go in early October.  My cousin who is a pathologist looked at the radiology reports and didn't see anything that "put up a red flag."  I guess I am a natural worry wort.

You have certainly been through a lot and I wish you all the best things in life.

Again thanks for your support.

Ann

[Jan214]

Dear Ann,

I have read some of your other posts and I am not really sure why you are still so concerned.  The Dr who wants to take out the cyst with your ovary is overreacting.  If you look it up you'll find most Drs won't even remove a cyst that is under 5cm & that, only after watching it for some time.  They especially won't remove a healthy ovary just because it has a teeny tiny cyst on it.  Your other Dr said wait and see which is the best advice.  Didn't you say on another post that you showed your scan to a friend or relative who is a pathologist and  they even said you shouldn't operate.  Surely you trust that they have your best interest at heart. Your cyst has been shrinking so it must be nothing.  Believe me if it were something it would keep growing.  My ovaries were 11 & 14 cms by  time I had my surgery so...  Belive me, if they thought you had any kind of life threatening situation you would be reeling from the sudden flurry of tests and Drs and presurgery rounds.  When they found my cancer that is what happened.  I was numb and just showed up where they told me.

You should count your blessings, take a deep breath, and reassess this situation.  The reality is every woman on the cancer forum would love to trade places with you (figuratively speaking, we wouldn't want to give you this monster) and would be throwing celebratory parades to find out it was all a big whopping mistake and all we had was a miniscule 1.9 cm functional cyst.  

We are fixing to come into fall and you live in one of the most beautiful states to be in this time of year.  Make a new fall wreath, go collect pinecones to scent with cinnamon to throw in your fireplace, read some good books, have a cup of warm apple cider.  Plan something fun Ann and just live your life.  Don't let something like this consume you.  That is no life.  

I hope you never have to face anything truly horrific, because I think you would just stress yourself right into  a heart attack.  There is no need for all of this worry.  Please try to let this go and just keep an eye on it.  I agree that every 3 mths might be best to help alleviate your fears. In between checkups live your life and don't throw any of it away on needless worry.  There are way to many other fun and productive things to do.

I know you don't know me, but I have been on here for a long time.  I have had 5 operations of one kind or another for serious ovarian cysts but never did they remove anything that small. Also, if I thought for ONE MINUTE that you weren't getting good advice or the proper treatment I would be the first one to tell you to keep screaming, but given your situation I even think the 3rd opinion is a waste of your time money and worry.
Good luck to you
Jan

[Sandymac]

Dear Ann,
    You are making yourself nuts..I understand your fears, but you need to calm down a little.. You've had 2 opinions and fortunately are having a third. We've tried to rest your fears regarding the ca-125 and you've checked it out yourself. I hope, as we suggested, you checked out the "Health Pages" at the top right of this page. And let me say this again.. cysts are very , very , very common in premenopausal women.. And again--- Cysts are 95% benign!.
     Now, please try to put it out of your mind until you see the Dr. There is just no reason to panic yourself ..

Let us know
Sandy

[cirella]

Hi Ann,
It's normal to worry.  There's something in your body causing problems.  The good news is that your cyst has shrunk a bit and you've had the CA several times.  You can believe what you're reading about the CA being unreliable for pre-menopausal women.  I would see the 3rd Doc for confirmation and to help put your mind at ease.

I agree with Sandy about monitoring every 3 months.  I kept a little journal of my pain and symptoms.  Maybe you could do that to either comfort you or encourage you to see your Doc b/c things seem different.

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

[AnnKr]

Thanks Sandy.  I actually did make an appointment for a third opinion.  I guess I am just being paranoid but better safe I suppose.  This is so stressful.  I wish there were a medication to make it go away completely.  I have checked out a lot of info on the ca-125 and everything says it is never used for a screening method anymore since it is totally unreliable.  I guess in the back of my mind though I keep wondering.  

Thanks for the help though.

Ann

[Sandymac]

The cyst appears to be shrinking even a little bit. The usual treatment is to monitor which is what they are doing .. I would ask though that it be monitored every 3 months rather than 6 months. If you'd like to get a 3rd opinion, you are certainly permitted to do so .

I think we talked before about the CA-125 test. It isn't reliable as a screening tool. Did you check out the American Cancer Society's findings on that? And, also, don't forget to check out the Health Pages top right of this page.

Again, good luck,
Sandy