Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

[Anonymous]

I had a pelvic/TV ultrasound this past week and I've got an ovarian cyst. It's not the "good" kind. I'm 52 and in menopause/peri-menopause. It's 6cm and the radiologist said it "could" be benign. I have been fixating on the word "could" all week. I also have some uterine polyps and fibroids. The fibroids are not a surprise. I am seeing my GYN on Tuesday. My primary care doctor has recommended a pelvic MRI, but not on an immediate basis.

I am generally not a person with health anxiety, but I am kind of freaking out. I debated even posting this because I don't want people telling me it's really bad. But I do want to be somewhat prepared for what I could hear at this GYN appointment.

If you had a situation like this, what were next steps? I guess I'm hoping that three doctors being aware of the ultrasound results and not going into panic/emergency mode is a somewhat good sign?

I am also wondering if a hysterectomy will be mentioned or suggested? I resisted having one for fibroids years ago, but at this point my uterus and ovaries have done their work and are shutting down production anyway. Do I need to do an MRI or could we just take the offending organs out?

Any positive advice or prep you can give would be appreciated. I don't have blinders on but am just trying to go into this appointment with a rational mindset so I can ask good questions. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Were you having any symptoms that prompted the us? Have they done any bloodwork? If they do recommend an oophorectomy, I would see a specialist, not a general surgeon. Are you in the DC area? Dr Jeffrey Lin did mine and I highly recommend him.

[Anonymous]

Could it be an endometriosis cyst? Not the best news because it should probably be removed laproscopically but also not cancer. They could remove the cyst but leave the rest of the ovary. I would look at the Mayo Clinic website--they usually have good info including a list of questions to ask your dr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could it be an endometriosis cyst? Not the best news because it should probably be removed laproscopically but also not cancer. They could remove the cyst but leave the rest of the ovary. I would look at the Mayo Clinic website--they usually have good info including a list of questions to ask your dr.

Dp. They can usually tell if it’s an endometrial cyst by doing a Doppler us and checking for blood flow. Lack of blood flow indicates an endometrial cyst.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like a bad case if endometriosis which requires the removal of it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a pelvic/TV ultrasound this past week and I've got an ovarian cyst. It's not the "good" kind. I'm 52 and in menopause/peri-menopause. It's 6cm and the radiologist said it "could" be benign. I have been fixating on the word "could" all week. I also have some uterine polyps and fibroids. The fibroids are not a surprise. I am seeing my GYN on Tuesday. My primary care doctor has recommended a pelvic MRI, but not on an immediate basis.

I am generally not a person with health anxiety, but I am kind of freaking out. I debated even posting this because I don't want people telling me it's really bad. But I do want to be somewhat prepared for what I could hear at this GYN appointment.

If you had a situation like this, what were next steps? I guess I'm hoping that three doctors being aware of the ultrasound results and not going into panic/emergency mode is a somewhat good sign?

I am also wondering if a hysterectomy will be mentioned or suggested? I resisted having one for fibroids years ago, but at this point my uterus and ovaries have done their work and are shutting down production anyway. Do I need to do an MRI or could we just take the offending organs out?

Any positive advice or prep you can give would be appreciated. I don't have blinders on but am just trying to go into this appointment with a rational mindset so I can ask good questions. Thank you.

I would absolutely do the MRI with and without contrast. That's the best way to know exactly what all you have going on. Your gyn may order it, too, or may gives their rec based on the u/s. Hysterectomy is typically the rec for your age and for recurrance of fibroids. When I was going through similar, I consulted with a gyn oncologist, who gave me more options than my gyn. Depending on the type of cyst, they may want to remove your ovary. A gyn oncologist will be more skilled and experienced with any type of surgery you opt for.

[Anonymous]

I think they often cannot tell on an ultrasound. I had this: they said it was a complex cyst. And scheduled me to have it removed along with that ovary. Jeffrey Lin did it. Turned out it was ok; looked bigger on the ultrasound than it really was. But that rather than a hysterectomy might be the next step, unless there is more imaging they can do.

[Anonymous]

I had the same exact thing, OP. Told it could be a complex benign cyst or something more serious. I had to wait six weeks and have another ultrasound. It was gone - it had been a cyst. That’s the more common scenario, sending you good vibes for the same outcome.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. These responses make me feel much calmer than I was.

Sounds like I should wait and see after my appointment, but that this isn't totally dire. I figured there would be surgery recommended. I'm hoping that will resolve it. Thank you everyone.

[Anonymous]

If they can tell it’s a cyst, that means it’s not solid, it’s fluid filled, and should be benign, right? I’m sorry, OP, that this is stressing you out and I hope it’s nothing.

[Anonymous]

Does not sound good. Sounds like they are not telling you the truth TBH.

[Anonymous]

I just went through this. 15 cm "cyst" on my ovary that they were "cautiously optimistic" that it would be benign. I'm 46. I was really nervous about it. They did surgery with the plan that they would get in there and do some preliminary biopsy and decide during surgery what to do. Hoping that it was just a benign cyst and they could remove it and do a full hysterectomy (which is what I wanted). Good news is that is was benign and the cyst and hysterectomy was done robotically. The surgery recovery was not too bad - I had 4 small incisions around my upper waist. Obviously the instant menopause was a little tough, but it hasn't been too bad.

I'm hopeful that your experience will be the same! I think they always have to say there is a risk of cancer when there is a growth in the body, but I don't think they'd be willing to start with surgery unless there's a good chance it's benign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just went through this. 15 cm "cyst" on my ovary that they were "cautiously optimistic" that it would be benign. I'm 46. I was really nervous about it. They did surgery with the plan that they would get in there and do some preliminary biopsy and decide during surgery what to do. Hoping that it was just a benign cyst and they could remove it and do a full hysterectomy (which is what I wanted). Good news is that is was benign and the cyst and hysterectomy was done robotically. The surgery recovery was not too bad - I had 4 small incisions around my upper waist. Obviously the instant menopause was a little tough, but it hasn't been too bad.

I'm hopeful that your experience will be the same! I think they always have to say there is a risk of cancer when there is a growth in the body, but I don't think they'd be willing to start with surgery unless there's a good chance it's benign.

Wanted to add that this was all done based on ultrasound - no MRI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they can tell it’s a cyst, that means it’s not solid, it’s fluid filled, and should be benign, right? I’m sorry, OP, that this is stressing you out and I hope it’s nothing.

They’ll refer to growths on ovaries as cysts, even if they’re solid.

[Anonymous]

I'd recommend looking up a Nook surgeon near you. They specialize in endometriosis. I don't think you should ignore the polyps they see too.