Ovarian Cyst - f**k!!

[Sexonlegs]

I have had an internal scan today (always a joy!) and they have said I have an ovarian cyst.

What they haven't said is what type etc etc. She was quite evasive and said I should talk to my GP.

I am now shitting myself.

I have seen on MN that a fair few people have had these, but can anyone tell me what happens next? How do they figure out what type it is to then know how to treat it?

Thank you :)

A cyst is likely to be a collection of fluid. There are other cysts called dermoid cysts which contain fluid and cells. They do normally go without needing any treatment so if it was a small one then they won't usually do anything but they may wish to scan you again in a few months or so to see if it's still there/shrunk/grown. They are very common and alot of women have them.

Thank you Belle.

I just wonder how they determine what type it is then? She said it wasn't clear from the scan...

Also, any idea how long it takes for the GP to get the info through from the hospital?

Trying to stay calm :)

No advice but am bumping in case anyone else out there.

Your GP should get a report in about 12 days but it depends on the turnover. On an ultrasound a fluid cyst normally shows up slightly different then a dermoid cyst. You will probably need another scan at some point.

Hi there, the GP just called and has said it is about 6 cm, but they are referring me to the gynae as it is a strange shape.

I am so bloody scared :(

It's likely to be a dermoid cyst if it's irregular, it does sound quite large though. Try not to worry, let them sort it out.

Hey!

I just wanted to let you know that not all cysts are bad news. I had one removed at the beginning of the year that was 9cm and the woman in the bed across from me at the hospital had one that was a whopping 23cm.

We both had surgery the same day to remove it and while mine has regrown and has to be removed again, the other lady who I'm still in contact with is having blast and has had no further problems :)

The only scary part in my mind was the fact that they automatically test for cancerous cells. Waiting for those results was way more nerve-wracking than the cyst removal.

The Gynaecologist I saw said that the majority of cysts are pretty harmless and can be removed easily enough with no further problems.

Anyway, I hope that helps reassure you somewhat :)

Thanks Alaya,

I am v worried about cancer. My Mum has advanced bowel cancer which has spread to her lungs and liver, so it is a real fear.

We have no family history of ov cancer.

You are right, it is the fear of the unknown. Surgery I can cope with.

I am sorry to hear yours has grown back. When are you having it removed?
Was it keyhole surgery you had?

Thanks again to both of you.

We have a family history of cancer too so I know where you're coming from with that.

My orginal cyst removal was keyhole surgery and I actually spent more time in the recovery room than I did in theatre. The op was only half an hour long but the recovery was a couple of hours. Apparently when I was coming round I got into a sulk with the nurse because she wouldn't let me have a coffee and a cigarette in there with me but as I was still out of it, I can pretend it didn't happen

All they do while you're under is drain the cyst and remove any cyst tissue and then stitch you back up so it's very straightforward. I only got mad when I got back to the ward because the horrible nurses made me move from the recovery room bed to the ward bed and I really did not want to move at that point

Now I actually have two cysts and I don't know what's going on with them yet because it's only just been referred back to the gynaecologist but as it's been marked as urgent, I'll probably find out fairly soon. I'm assuming it will be keyhole again, probably because it's the easiest way to remove a cyst.

Just remember that afterwards you have to rest and chill out unlike idiot me who thought that chasing the kids was a great idea and then spent two months trying to get better

I'm assuming that you will have a surgical procedure too as my gynae said to me last time that any cyst over 4cm is less likely to go down with pills than a smaller one would so it's easier to give knockout drops and remove it that way.

Anyway, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask :)

Thank you v much. Made me laugh your request for coffee and ciggies :)

Should get an appt with the gynae within 2 weeks and then take it from there.

This is all mixed in with us moving house in 2 weeks time, so stress levels are running high

I hope you get some answers soon too. Will you keep posting and we can keep up to date with each other's progress?

My DW had ovarian cancer 13 years ago and a benign cyst removed 6 weeks ago.

What happens next is you will undergo further tests. You will probably have a C125 blood test which detects ovarian cancer antigens. It is not a perfect test but a score below 30 is regarded as safe.

You may have a laparoscopy to further examine the cyst. You may have a biopsy of the cyst so an oncologist can check what type it is but the results will take several weeks to come back. You may have a further abdominal CT scan plus further ultrasound.

The treatment options depend on the results, your age and whether you want any further children.

Do remember the vast majority of cysts are benign.

Sure thing :) It's good to have someone to talk to who's going through it too and we can argue over who has the hottest surgeon cough

Thank you BeenBeta :) Glad your wife is doing well.

Alaya, thanks again :)

Sexonlegs, please don't worry. Most cysts are harmless. I have had a couple of them and of course the first thing you worry about it cancer. They are really quite common though and some are just left without needing any treatment. I had a laparoscopy done when they found mine and both times had them removed.

Yours sounds big enough to remove though, so your will be referred to gynae who will tell you what they are going to do and probably book you in for an op to remove it. The op is usually quite straight forward and may even just be a day case op so you don't have to stay in overnight, but you do need to make sure you rest afterwards until you recover. I was quite sore for a few days.

Hi again.

Love your name kucking!! Thanks for your post.

Well, I am already booked to see the gynae on Monday morning - things are moving fast which terrifies me. I know it is good to get things sorted but as much as I am trying to stay calm, I am phyically shaking with nerves:(

Hey!

I just got my appointment for the gynae today as well. You're moving a little faster than I am but I suspect that's just different NHS trusts at work heh. Mine is on the 13th December, eep!

Honestly, just try and do other things to take your mind off of it, go play online games, annoy people just because you can, watch movies, anything!

Don't allow the 'what ifs?' to creep in because it just makes you feel ten times as bad as you already do.

I personally am refusing to think the worst of this until I'm actually told otherwise. I know that's a bit head in the sand but if I do start dwelling on it, I'll get depressed and be no good to anybody.

Have a ((hug)) and a on me :)

Hi there. Glad you got an appt too albeit a bit later on.

I am trying not to dwell on it, and just get on. I think it just shook me that I had the phone call half an hour ago and it is all so quick. I know this is a good thing, but I can't help thinking that it must be bad if they are moving so quick!

Grrrr. Never coming back as a woman!!

I had a scan for bleeding which incidentally picked up a cyst. I think it was 10cm. I was referred, saw the consultant who said we could watch it and rescan in 6 months but he also asked when I was thinking of having children as if they were planning to remove it he would want me to wait a bit before ttc. I opted to have it out. I had a general and a caesarian type scar. They actually found 3 dermoid cysts when they opened me up. The op was fine much less invasive than a caesarian. Try not to worry most cysts are benign and ovarian cysts are very common.

grins

I'm going to come back as a man, purely because I want to see what it's like on the other side of the fence! Besides, men don't have to worry about cysts

If I can't come back as a man, I'll be a nasty 'ole tomcat and attack men when they least expect it, like when they're fresh from the shower....

:)

I am quite up for getting a complete hysterectomy tbh - get rid of all those troublesome bits!!

I would come back as a cat too, but one that is a real lap cat!

Got some pain today as its ovulation time.

Sexonlegs - my DW had a full hysterectomy 6 weeks ago today.

She says she did feel somewhat railroaded into it but because of her history it was inevitably going to be the best advice.

Apparently, hysterectomy is far more common in the UK than in many other coutries (eg France). My DW would strongly advise taking time to consider the options. Dont rush or be rushed into things.

Sorry to hijack but what are the symptoms of an ovarian cyst as I am scared to google? I am fairly convinced I have something going on. OP - glad that you are coping well.

There may be no symptoms and even if there are symptoms they can be diverse and quite non specific but this is a safe non frightening place to read a simple list.

You really need to go and have tests though because the symptoms are so similar for so many other conditions including IBS.

Hi HonestyBox, hope you are ok.

I had been having some pain at about ovulation time, which seemed to last longer than the "normal" according to literature I had read - for a few days. I also had low back ache and just felt really tired.

I also noticed I was a bit bloated looking, but not all the time.

I put it down to having 2 children, a part time job, and family illness stressing me.

A couple of months ago, I had a bit of bloody discharge - just streaked pink, and that was want sent me to the GP.

She has been great and things are moving quickly.

If you have any concerns, I would really urge you to go to the GP. What symptoms , if any are you having?

Hi HonestyBox :)

For me, I started with discomfort during sex that was always on the lower right side, near my hip and went away after about an hour or so. Then it moved to being a bit longer until it became a constant ache.

My periods also became extremely erratic, anything from 16 day cycles through to my record 68 days. I kept going to the docs but they ignored me....for two years ,said I was making it up because I wanted a sterilisation reversal and that they thought I was trying to get a freebie on the NHS (like the £1000 in my bank account that I'd saved for it was just for a laugh) Me? Bitter? Nah [innocent emoticon]

Then one day while doing a temp job, I just doubled over and collapsed in pain in the office and got sent home. Next day I went to the docs and was rushed in for a scan and the rest is history.

SoL, I hope the pain gets easier for you, it sucks when it hits hard :( Just kick back some painkillers and shove some trash on TV :)

I'm lucky at the minute, past the ovulation stage but not come on (5 days late and counting!) so no pain for me right now