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Rather large 12cm complex cyst on left ovary - I am scared...

Honestly I don't really have a question.  I just need to talk to someone.  I found out today, the lump that has doubled in size over the last two months, is actually a 12cm complex cyst.  Top it off with the nausea, bloating, gas, and cramping I've been having and I am scared.  I need to stay away from google for a while because as I'm sure a lot of you know that only makes things worse.  Are there others here that have gone through this?  Can you give me some advice as to how things went for you.  This is a bit overwhelming for me, and would love to talk to some people who have been through it.
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Avatar universal
Hello I am feeling your anxiety as I am
Experiencing it myself.what is complex about yours?i had a ultra sound
In November showing enlarged ovary with heterogenous texture I had a follow up and gyno recommended a repeat ultrasound jan 13 th which I had,this showed same ovary showing 3 small cysts with irregular borders thick walls and increased blood flow to them.i am terrified.did they tell you what was complex about yours? I have gyno follow up Tuesday please message back take care Michelle xxx
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
Most ovarian cysts, even complex ones, are benign. Unfortunately, far too many women end up losing organs (one ovary, both ovaries, and even the uterus) unnecessarily. Hysterectomy and oophorectomy are two of the most overused surgeries. In other specialties, they remove the benign growths instead of the entire organ or body part.

I had a 9.5cm complex (somewhat suspicious looking) ovarian cyst. My gynecologist of 20 years used ovarian cancer scare tactics and rushed me into surgery. While in the operating room, he sent the cyst / ovary for frozen section and waited for the results. When it came back benign, he should have closed my incision and sent me to recovery. Instead, he proceeded to remove the rest of my female organs (other ovary, cervix, uterus, tubes). I am suffering from the loss of the life long functions of these organs.

We need our ovaries and uterus our whole lives. When a woman has all her parts, the ovaries produce health sustaining hormones her whole life. The uterus is also essential. It and its ligaments are an anchor for the entire pelvis keeping the bladder and bowel where they belong and functioning properly. They are also essential for the skeletal structure which is why women who have had hysterectomies gradually get a very thick and shortened midsection.

Cysts can be removed without removing the ovary (cystectomy) IF you have an ethical surgeon who also has good cystectomy skills. If there is truly a chance of ovarian cancer, you should see a gynecologic oncologist. But you still should not need to lose an ovary/ovaries if the frozen section biopsy is benign especially if you do not have a predisposition for ovarian cancer.

I hope this provides some clarity. Sometimes fear can take over making for bad decisions. That is part of what happened to me but I will say that most of the fear was instilled by my gyn and was unwarranted. My medical records showed some other unethical tactics but I won't go into that now.
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1701959 tn?1488551541
Are you feeling any better? I am going through this scare now as well with all these same symptoms.... Especially the pain in my lower left side. It's so frightening.
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1701959 tn?1488551541
Are you feeling any better? I am going through this scare now as well with all these same symptoms.... Especially the pain in my lower left side. It's so frightening.
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Avatar universal
I found my lump back in 2002, while I was doing my sit-ups.  I talked myself into the old "oh, it's just a hernia" excuse until, finally, I went in to see about it.  Turned out that, yes, we need to take care of this.  I had a complete hysterectomy.  My left ovary looked cancerous, my right one did not, but it came back cancerous, too.  The biggest blessing was the cancer had not spread to any of my other organs!  I had no chemo, no radiation.  I still get my CA125 test each year, with good results.  Knowledge is power.  Get your concerns checked out.  Listen to your doctor.  While I understand old_before_my_time's position (and my fiancé was also urging the less surgery route), I am so thankful for everything that happened.  All the best to you.
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Avatar universal
Thanks ladies.  I'd actually kind of forgotten I posted this.  Had my follow up with the doctor last monday, the cyst encompasses the majority of my ovary so they are planning on removing it, I guess they'll know more when they go in.  They plan on fully cutting me open.  Similar to my c-sections.  Doctor said there is only a slim chance it could be cancer since it seems to be somewhat mobile.  There are times I can feel it way down low on the left and other times the top can be felt a couple inches above my belly button.  Still waiting on my CA-125 test results.  I got a call earlier today and they left a message, I called back, and had to leave a message, so now I'm just waiting for them to call back again.  LOL  It's nice having Rochester Mayo so close but it is a pain to get a hold of anyone!  Anyways, my surgery is scheduled for next Friday.  I'm feeling better about the whole thing, well as long as what the doctor has to say when I finally hear back from them is good...  This will be my first official surgery.  So on top of everything else, I also have that to agonize over.  My biggest concern now is how it's all going to work after the surgery, I have two young boys, 1 & 4 who love to be held an cuddled by their mommy.  Plus I am the one who takes them to daycare in the morning since my husband works in another town in the other direction.  I can't care for them, and I can't get them in and out of the car myself (let alone drive while I'm still on pain meds.)  Our parents have stepped up and are planning to help us, but there is still going to be the time between daddy leaving the gparents getting there plus evenings.  The older one will hopefully understand, but I know my youngest is going to have a hard time at first.  I've created a "chore" chart for my 4 year old.  Things to do to help mommy, and what needs to be done to get ready in the morning and when going to bed.  He's such a sweet and caring boy, so I have no doubt he'll do great with helping us out.

And honestly if this does turn out to be cancerous, I'd probably want the organs gone anyways.  Less chance of it coming back.  I already have two amazing boys, while we'd like one more child, I'll take no cancer over another kid any day.
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Avatar universal
Well I'm going through this now with bloating and all, had an ultrasound thought cyst ,follow-up etc. However, today I've been referred to a gyro oncologist . I'm freaking out
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
What did the ultrasound show...size and type of cyst? Most ovarian cysts, even complex ones, are benign and resolve on their own in 2 to 3 cycles, no intervention needed. This site by a reputable gyn may be helpful to you - http://www.ovaryresearch.com/ovarian_cysts.htm. You may have been referred to a gyn oncologist just to "play it safe." This is not unusual and many of these referral cases are not cancer.

Since our ovaries are critical to LIFE LONG health, you don't want an ovary or ovaries removed unless it is necessary. Benign ovarian cysts can be removed leaving the ovary or enough of it for hormone production if you have a surgeon with good cystectomy skills. Ovarian cancer is rare with the average woman's lifetime risk being less than 2%, 1.3% to be exact per government stats here - http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/ovary.html.

My long-time gyn used cancer scare tactics and then over-treated me for a 9.5cm ovarian cyst (organs were removed) and my life and health quickly deteriorated. I was not given the necessary information about my condition nor the consequences of treatment.  

Please do your research and make sure you understand your condition and treatment options so you can make the best decision for your short and long-term health. Let us know what more you find out.
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