ca125 and ovarian cyst

[purplerain44]

Hi there. I had a pelvic ultrasound last week, and GP told me yesterday they saw a 2cm hemorrhagic (I think) cyst on my right ovary and also I've been diagnosed with adenomyosis. She said the cyst appeared "normal". (I was referred originally as I have some mid-cycle bleeding, but nothing more really than that apart from some back ache occasionally and some stomach pain - but not much really and I wouldn't have gone just for that).

The GP has sent me for an urgent ca125 blood test - she stressed that it's not because she thinks the cyst is malignant, but to check certain levels, markers of ovarian cancer. She marked it as urgent, and I'm worried that because of this, she has more suspicions than she let on. Or would it be just part of the course to send me on an urgent blood test, even if the cyst really looked benign?

Please could anyone let me know their experiences of this - I'm paranoid as my husband is currently having chemo for lymphoma and he was misdiagnosed for over a year - and now I'm panicking about ovarian cancer.

Thanks

Hemorrhagic cyst are mostly benign and if you suffer from endometriosis then they are fairly common too. I guess the GP is just making double sure which is actually good. If everything comes back normal then all you need is a repeat scan to keep an eye on the cyst.
The only issue is that you can have a raised ca125 level even when everything is benign in pre menopausal women so I don't know how your GP will assess the outcome. I guess she will refer you so I am telling you in advance that not to worry even if the levels are raised as that can happen.
Your mid cycle spotting could be the caused by adenomyosis. I suffer from adenomyosis and spotting and back pain is a regular occurrence. If everything goes normal and GP discharges you then include b6 in your daily routine. It will help with extra estrogen (common in adenomyosis) and spotting issues will go away.
For the time being, just relax and don't overthink.

Thanks for your reply, that’s all really useful. The GP has referred me to a gynaecologist for the adenomyosis now already. I’ll try not to overthink! Thanks again.

As literallyfedup says, you can have a raised ca125 for a variety of reasons, including cysts. I had a large normal cyst (but had to come out as so large) and my ca125 was raised. I suppose it is a bit of a routine thing, but my consultant did say they often don't look too much into the result, unless it is really sky high.

GP has sent me for an urgent ca125 blood test - she stressed that it's not because she thinks the cyst is malignant, but to check certain levels, markers of ovarian cancer

Your GP sounds confused.

The C125 test is for ovarian cancer but if she thinks the scan shows it's benign, she's surely contradicting herself? A benign cyst is not malignant. If you have OC it's because you have a malignant cyst.

As others have said, the C125 test is very unreliable anyway. It can show false positives and false negatives. It's 80% accurate in women with advanced OC.

The scan is the best way to determine what's wrong- if anything.

Try not to worry. I had a cyst (post menopause) and was scanned every 4 months for 2 years; this was privately. They were sure it was benign but just kept checking to be sure. In the end it went away.

I had an ultrasound that showed ovarian cysts and fibroids back in the summer. I had a CA125 test and referral to Gynaecology Oncology for the two week cancer pathway which is apparently standard for ovarian cysts. The CA125 levels were normal but a hysterectomy was recommended for cysts and fibroids because of the impact they were having on my bladder.

I had that at the start of this month and got a letter a few days ago confirming that no cancer was found when the uterus and ovaries were examined by Histology.

My mother was urgently referred for a scan and to see an oncologist after being blood tested twice. They suspected ovarian levels were high. My mum thought she’d had her ovaries removed 30 years previously. When they scanned they found no cancer and no ovaries. The oncologist said he had no idea why the GP had managed to get a positive test.