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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

OP here - yes, the polyps are an issue as well and radiologist talked about a hysteroscopy (I think) for that.

I just don't really know the order of things for testing and diagnosis of cancer or another condition. My non-medically trained thought is that if an ovarian cyst and uterine polyps could be cancerous or pre-cancerous, that you are going to need to biopsy the cyst and polyps, and that it might be easier and safer now and for the long run to just do a hysterectomy and oophorectomy.

Sounds like a pelvic MRI might be indicated for diagnostic reasons. I'll wait and see what the rest of the recommendations are.

[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.

hi op how did you know you had a cysts in the first place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

hi op how did you know you had a cysts in the first place?

I had to have a CT scan for something unrelated - the CT readout included that there was either endometriosis or a cyst on the ovary, hence the pelvic ultrasound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

hi op how did you know you had a cysts in the first place?

I had to have a CT scan for something unrelated - the CT readout included that there was either endometriosis or a cyst on the ovary, hence the pelvic ultrasound.

Was it with or without contrast?

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, I'm in a similar situation; 56 still regular but super heavy cycles/anemic. After ultrasound I was found to have an ovarian cyst, a polyp and a fibroid. The OB thought we could try an in-office hysteroscopy which I declined for a second opinion. (1. I want to be sedated as I've heard it's torture and 2. I want to have it done by a surgeon). So I've got an upcoming appointment soon--this has been going on for years so what's another 6 months. My original OB said most of these conditions are benign. Good luck and hope all works out for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

hi op how did you know you had a cysts in the first place?

I had to have a CT scan for something unrelated - the CT readout included that there was either endometriosis or a cyst on the ovary, hence the pelvic ultrasound.

Was it with or without contrast?

With contrast - this was the write up: 1. Fibroid uterus. Low-attenuation structure in the left adnexa, degenerating pedunculated fibroid versus complex left ovarian lesion, consider further evaluation with pelvic ultrasound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, I'm in a similar situation; 56 still regular but super heavy cycles/anemic. After ultrasound I was found to have an ovarian cyst, a polyp and a fibroid. The OB thought we could try an in-office hysteroscopy which I declined for a second opinion. (1. I want to be sedated as I've heard it's torture and 2. I want to have it done by a surgeon). So I've got an upcoming appointment soon--this has been going on for years so what's another 6 months. My original OB said most of these conditions are benign. Good luck and hope all works out for you.

Sorry you are dealing with this, but thank you for weighing in.

[Anonymous]

OP here with an update. I had my appointment today. It was somewhat reassuring. She said the cyst doesn't have indicators that would make her think it's cancerous - one indicator would be it looked like it had "fingers" projecting because it was trying to spread. I honestly can't remember the second reason. But they still want me to get the pelvic MRI and then a surgical consult. If the pelvic MRI results indicate the possibility of cancer then they will refer me to a gyn oncologist. I also had a blood test - OVA1.

I may talk to a gyn oncologist anyway if I can get in somewhere.

Bottom line is the cyst has to come out so surgery will happen.

On the uterine polyps, she recommended a hysteroscopy. This seemed like a secondary concern, or more accurately second in line.

Thanks to all the replied previously. It was very helpful and calmed me down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update. I had my appointment today. It was somewhat reassuring. She said the cyst doesn't have indicators that would make her think it's cancerous - one indicator would be it looked like it had "fingers" projecting because it was trying to spread. I honestly can't remember the second reason. But they still want me to get the pelvic MRI and then a surgical consult. If the pelvic MRI results indicate the possibility of cancer then they will refer me to a gyn oncologist. I also had a blood test - OVA1.

I may talk to a gyn oncologist anyway if I can get in somewhere.

Bottom line is the cyst has to come out so surgery will happen.

On the uterine polyps, she recommended a hysteroscopy. This seemed like a secondary concern, or more accurately second in line.

Thanks to all the replied previously. It was very helpful and calmed me down.

Thank you for the update. I hope the MRI provides more reassuring results.

[Anonymous]

I had a dermoid ovarian cyst years ago when I was pregnant with #1 that had to be removed surgically. Google it. It’s gross but a totally benign cyst and fairly easy surgery.

Hopefully this turns out to be nothing serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a dermoid ovarian cyst years ago when I was pregnant with #1 that had to be removed surgically. Google it. It’s gross but a totally benign cyst and fairly easy surgery.

Hopefully this turns out to be nothing serious.

I had this too! I wasn’t pregnant and a dr felt it and I had pain. I was sent all over for urgent mri and ct scan and sent to gyn oncologist. After these tests they also thought it was benign but couldn’t be sure. I had the surgery and it was dermoid. So gross but totally benign.

[Anonymous]

OP, how are you now? Any updates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, how are you now? Any updates?

Hi - I updated once in this thread: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1198306.page and am going to update again. Surgery for a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy is scheduled for May.