Anonymous
Post 04/23/2024 21:06     Subject: Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2024 02:30     Subject: Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

OP, how are you now? Any updates?
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2024 15:23     Subject: Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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
Post 03/06/2024 08:36     Subject: Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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
Post 03/06/2024 08:24     Subject: Re:Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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
Post 03/05/2024 21:13     Subject: Re:Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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
Post 03/03/2024 18:28     Subject: Re:Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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
Post 03/03/2024 18:27     Subject: Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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
Post 03/03/2024 14:26     Subject: Re:Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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
Post 03/03/2024 14:14     Subject: Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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
Post 03/03/2024 13:49     Subject: Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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
Post 03/03/2024 12:13     Subject: Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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
Post 03/03/2024 12:08     Subject: Ovarian cyst that seems bad - what should I prepare for?

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.