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I have large ovarian cysts with a slightly elevated CA19-9. Should I be worried?

6 years ago I had a molar pregnancy.  About a year ago, I was diagnosed with CKD, Stage 2 due to high blood pressure.  I was placed on blood pressure medications and my birth control was changed by OBGYN.  Fast forward a year later, and I now have 2 large cysts on one ovary, and 1 large of 119mm cyst on the other.  CBC, CMP are all pretty normal ranges.  But, my CA19-9 level is slightly elevated.  I'm in the waiting period to go have the cysts surgically removed, and have a tubal ligation, but what does this CA19-9 mean?
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This is the first I heard of CA 19-9 so I looked it up. Although an elevated result can be associated with some malignancies it can also be associated with some benign conditions including benign lesions which it seems could include ovarian cysts.

The large majority of ovarian cysts are benign. And most resolve on their own. Although yours, at least the 119mm one, is unlikely to resolve due to the size. I had read awhile back that ovarian cancer rarely presents in both ovaries at once so that makes this even less likely to be cancer.

Since you are having your tubes tied during the cyst surgery, it sounds like your surgeon plans to remove just the cyst(s) versus one or both ovaries. That is good since it is critical to good health to keep ALL our parts. Be aware that tubals can also cause problems such as heavier periods and can also impair ovarian function which is associated with increased health risks and can cause severe menopause type symptoms even without cessation of periods. There are a number of articles about this syndrome termed post tubal ligation or post sterilization syndrome dating back decades. Here is a recent today.com article that cites some sources. Just thought you would want to know.

Keep us posted on what more you find out and how surgery goes. I hope it goes well.
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Thank you for your information, and the article.   Very interesting to know that the sterilization can cause menopause symptoms too.  An update for me here, I'm currently about 2.5 months post the cystoscopy now, the surgery went well, 4.5 hours under and she did great at not having to slice me wide open and kept it laparoscopic.  About a month after the procedure, I started having more pains, and I was sent for a CT scan of the abd and pelvis with oral and IV contrast, and it showed that there was just pretty much empty spaces where the large ovarian cysts were previously.  and more than likely I was experiencing my organs adjusting back to their spaces.  Per OBGYN who did the surgery, to check on how things have been after the couple months, I just went for an ultrasound.  What the report reads now, and being compared to the previous ultrasound prior to cyst removal, states this:

Uterus heterogeneous in echo pattern without focal abnormality and measures 57.0 x 50.0 x 41.0 mm.

Endometrium 3.0mm

Right ovary measures 30.0 x 27.0 x 19.0 mm; with a 15.0 mm complex cyst.

Left ovary enlarged 63.0 x 43.0 x 34.0 mm; with 35.0 mm simple, 19.0 mm simple and 15.0 mm complex cysts. No free fluid.

IMPRESSION:
1.  BILATERAL OVARIAN CYSTS.



Looks like I'm back to more surgery.....
Your cysts are very small and will likely resolve on their own, no intervention / surgery needed. Did your gynecologist tell you they had to be removed?
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