Scared I've got ovarian cancer

[Jencs1983]

Hi, I'm hoping to hear from people with similar experiences to me.

Basically, I went to my GP about a month ago because I had a horrible period. It wasn't particularly painful, but it was extremely heavy, prolonged and the biggest clots I'd ever had in my life, and I'm 40 years old!

The GP prescribed me Norethisterone which was excellent, and referred me for an ultrasound (abdominal and transvaginal).

Fast forward to now, and my GP has said I have a large ovarian cyst. It measures 15cm x 10cm. She said as it's so big, I need a ca125 test to make sure it's not ovarian can. Now I am totally freaking out. Both the lady who did my scan and my GP say that the cyst doesn't look sinister, but I can't help thinking the worst!

I also look pregnant as I'm bloated (but I'm definitely not!), and I have niggling pelvic pains and constipation.

Please help if you can. Any stories or advice are appreciated!

I had a fibroid which was bigger than that with raised markers. I had a full hysterectomy and it was literally just a fibroid - no cancer. You are likely constipated because of the pressure of this on your bowels. Try not to worry.

Thank you so much for your reply - you have really helped me here.

Sorry you had to go through all of that. It must have been hard.

This sounds like a precautionary Ca125.
I know that this will still worry you until you have definitive results but the odds are very much in your favour.
Ovarian cysts are extremely common and ovarian ca at your age is not.

Just hold on in there I'm sure your results will be reassuring. Sending a hug because I would be worried too just because that's how I am, even though logically everything points to this being benign.

All will be well. Its just a cyst. Very common and my doctor is looking after me. Make that your mantra.

Thank you for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated.

Sonographer here, if the sono said it doesn’t look sinister then believe them. Ca125 test is just precautionary and we would recommend that for any large ovarian cyst. 15cm is pretty big though so you’ll get referred to gynaecology do doubt

Thank you, you really have helped ease my mind, as well as all the other replies I've had.

I am indeed being referred to gynaecology. My problem is that I'm a bit of a symptom googler!

Thanks again.

The other thing I would add is that when I went to the gynae they had a McMillan nurse in the room which I was not prepared for and made me freak out a bit! She was the liaison to make sure that my admission etc to hospital etc was all covered. This was the NHS. I also got a phone call 5 days after my op to say that all tests on what was removed was good.

I bet you were terrified. I know I would be.

Thanks for letting me know and sharing your experience with me.

Hopefully I can stop worrying now

Hi
I was wondering the outcome of your situation now as I am having the exact same symptoms. Except my cyst is 5cm.
hope everything is well for you
thanks

Hi and thanks for your message.

Unfortunately I am still none the wiser to be honest with you.

I've had an MRI scan, numerous cancer blood tests which came back normal and I am awaiting a hysteroscopy because endometrial tissue was found on my bowel. The MRI showed that I have endometriosis.

Gynaecology have gone a bit quiet with me since the cancer blood tests came back normal and they've recently cancelled an appointment that was booked for the end of this month.

I am sorry I can't be more help to you at the moment.

Have they said if your cyst looks normal?

Hi
thanks so much for replying. Sorry to hear of you needing a hysterectomy. That must be awful for you.
I just visited my gp and she assured me that the cyst was a simple cyst and the reason they want me to do the blood test is because it’s over 5cm. She also said that the cyst wouldn’t have caused the heavy period. And in the run up to the menopause women may experience the odd heavy period, which may become more frequent.
Was your heavy period a one off or have they continued to be heavy?

thanks xx

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry, I don't think I explained myself clearly.

I am awaiting a procedure called a hysteroscopy. It allows a surgeon to look more closely inside me to see what's going on and they will take a piece of endometrial tissue to test (I think they are trying to rule out cancer). I am not having a hysterectomy as yet.

Any persistent ovarian cyst above 5cm will be looked in to just to rule out anything sinister. But it is my understanding that most ovarian cysts are benign.

My cyst is very large but everyone I've seen about it says it looks simple in nature.

My periods have never been normal. Most of the time, I could go for months without having any. I have rarely had any heavy periods, so the one I had last year was pretty alarming. I was 40 at the time.

I haven't had any heavy periods since. Are yours heavy? It could be possible that you have endometriosis too. Mine showed up on an MRI scan last autumn.

I am not sure of your age, but if you are nearing the menopause, I know very strange things can happen with periods.

Has your GP offered you a Ca125 blood test at all? If not, it might be worth asking for one. It can be quite an unreliable test though, so some GPs might suggest waiting for now.

Hi
oh im so sorry, I didn’t read that properly. Phew!
yes they have asked me to do the blood test which was what scared me. I’ve always had regular normal periods and im 42 so not near menopause yet hopefully. The heavy period came out of the blue. Fingers crossed it was a one off
thanks for replying
hope everything gets sorted for you
x

I’ve had large cysts removed and they weren’t cancer but they do check as a matter of course. The cyst will be biopsied too to be certain. The way it looks on a scan is a good indication of whether it is cancer or not. I’d try not to worry - I know easier said than done.

If you've always had normal periods then everything is probably fine, but I understand your worry - I was terrified at one point

When I had the heavy period last year, I had been dieting and sometimes that can do strange things to periods because of hormones. I'm not sure if this applies to you but just thought I'd mention it.

Fingers crossed everything goes well for you x