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Original poster

Please talk to me about ovarian cysts

12 replies

shantishanti · 08/03/2011 18:02

Any medical people around? I could do with some info...rubbish at asking enough in appointments!

I've just seen my consultant for a routine follow up to a previous condition (cancer) - I had an MRI a few weeks ago and this was the appointment to get the results.
He said that it was 'clear', but that I have an ovarian cyst. I wasn't surprised by this as I have some pain and discomfort around one side of my lower abdomen.
He said that if I wanted, he would do another MRI in a few weeks to see if it had grown or shrunk, but made my next appointment for 4 months time and said he'd just write to me about the MRI.
He said that even if the cyst had grown he probably wouldn't do anything about it as they normally go down on their own.

I don't know much about ovarian cysts other than that there are a few kinds, most benigh but that they can be cancerous. I also don't know how much the MRI would have told him about what kind of cyst it is...I know I should have asked but I'm so awful at doing that, I just nod and say 'ok' Blush

He didn't seem worried, so I guess he thinks its not cancerous, but obviously I'm still a bit anxious about it.

So, can anyone give me any more info?

OP posts:
cupofcoffee · 08/03/2011 19:49

What sort of consultant did you see? If this is a gynae consultant or an oncologist then I'm sure they would be pretty clued up about what is concerning in terms of ovarian cysts. If however it is a different specialty this person works in then maybe it's not their field and if the cyst is growing they will refer on to someone else.

cabbageroses · 08/03/2011 19:50

Can i ask what cancer you had previously?

Most cysts are benign and checking it every 4 months is standard. I had a benign cyst for 2 years and was checked every 4-5 months- this was privately.

I was at slightly higher risk being older (50s) but from what they could see on the scan they were 99% sure it was okay.

Ovarian cancer is linked with breast cancer and other female cancers, so without knowing more, i can't say if your dr is being thorough or not.

it depends on how big, shape, size etc etc. Under 5 cms they tend to leave alone and watch- over cms they are more concerned but size is not all that matters!

crystalglasses · 08/03/2011 19:54

I'm not a medic but if I had an ovarian cyst and also had a history of cancer I would insist it was removed pronto.

Original poster
shantishanti · 09/03/2011 08:49

I had cervical cancer, so its a gynae oncologist. TBH I don't really doubt that he's doing the right thing, I just don't think I asked enough for my own peace of mind!

OP posts:
cabbageroses · 09/03/2011 12:46

can you not phone and ask for another appt before the one in 4 months time?

lookbutdonttouch · 09/03/2011 17:39

Hi
If you are in pain and perhaps having other symptoms then 4 months is too long. He cannot know what kind of cysts it is can he?!?

Appreciate that leaping to an MRI scan may seem a little drastic but no reason why he cant refer you for an ultrasound and if the scanner person feels it necessary they can do the internal one, then, the results get sent to the consultant. However based on what he said his appointment to see you is in about 4 months and your appointment for MRI is in the meantime?

If it were me I would be either calling his secretary and getting back in or (being a bit of a wuss myself) I would go to GP and ask for a referral for an ultrasound scan - they are much quicker than the MRI and would be reassuring for you.

You dont say what kind of cancer it was but if it was ovarian then please do push them for your own peace of mind.

Ovarian cysts come in all shapes and sizes. Some do go away and shrink of their own accord and lots of ladies dont realise they are there but if you have pain then get it checked.

I am on my second dermoid and having it removed soon - cant come quick enough. Dermoids are the ones that have hard icky things in them that they like to remove in case they twist - prob why it hurts.

Please push and get the reassurance you want..

Good luck

cabbageroses · 09/03/2011 20:16

as above- you don't need an MRI to check a cyst- a TV scan can see a lot in 5 minutes.

If your cervical cancer was localsied and treated successfully it is highly unlikely to be a cancerous ovarian cyst, but to be on the safe side I'd not wait 4 months- ask for another appt sooner for a normal scan.

BelaLugosiinStripes · 09/03/2011 22:03

Hi
I think there's a policy of (regular) observation if cysts are of certain types and under a certain size. If it's the gynae onco you've seen for follow-up then they usually look after women with ovarian ca too, so they are usu clued up on these things. Did you have a gynae oncology nurse specialist assigned to you when you had the treatment for cervical ca, as they could be a good person to call and discuss the recent appointment with them?

crystalglasses · 09/03/2011 22:46

I had an ovarian cyst many years ago as a result of fertility treatment. It was wipped out as soon as it was discovered. I have been in a lot of pain.

If you're expereincing pain i'm surprised your consuiltant is leaving it. Maybe he didn't hear that part of your consultation. Why don't you phone his secretary and ask for an earlier appointment because of the pain?

crystalglasses · 09/03/2011 22:48

Sorry -too many typs. Should be 'whipped' and 'I had been in a lot of pain'.

glammanana · 10/03/2011 13:54

please please have your GP refer you for a scan and
do not wait for four months,even if it only gives
you peace of mind insist on it,my GP thought i may
have been pregnant when i first complained of the
swelling and feeling uncomfortable and i was sent
for test,it came back neg.and i was then referred
for non-urgent scan,the date was four weeks later,
not wanting to wait that long my DH and i decided
to see consultant at local Bupa hos,at our own
expense,when i saw him 3 days after preg.test he
confirmed that i had cysts on both overies and
needed treatment asap,i was operated on 3 days
later and a 7 and 121b cysts where removed,my
consultant explained to me that if i had waited
for the scan that was booked it would have been a
totally differant outcome,the testing for cancer
was positive and i underwent treatment for five
years,but continued with my job and lifestyle and
am now 20 years on and everything is good,so please
please do something asap.

MorticiaAddams · 11/03/2011 23:59

I wouldn't wait for four months with your history.

They wouldn't necessarily be able to see whether it was benign or malignant with an MRI scan so it seems pointless to wait all that time when it could be growing and spreading.

Phone your CNS on Monday and make a big fuss. Explain how upset you are and that you can't possibly wait that long, you mentally can't take it. If you must have a scan then they can get one in a week or so when they need to but I would be insisting on having it removed.

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