Complex ovarian cysts surgery
Common Questions and Answers about Complex ovarian cysts surgery
ovarian-cysts
Hi Marisa, You've had a tough time and I'm sorry. 95% of all ovarian cysts are benign. Complex cysts raise a little bit more of a red flag but can still be benign. Somewhere on this page ( I think Sharon just posted it again) is a wonderful pamphlet that will explain in great detail about cysts. Hopefully, it will help you understand your situation. If you trust your doctor, I would follow his or her advice about surgery.
I can not say that this is always true with complex ovarian cysts. As for testing for them, you can talk to your doctor about your concerns and see if he thinks that a C-125 test should be done. Most likely they will say no due to your age, but after surgery is performed, the cysts are sent out for biopsies to test for cancer.
How large is the ovarian cyst? Ovarian cysts that are 5cm or greater, and are complex (like yours with a solid element) are usually treated with surgery. They have a greater chance of being malignant than smaller, simple cysts. Sometimes, doctors watch and wait smaller cysts and sometimes they choose to operate. Still, most cysts (even larger and complex ones) turn out to be benign.
but it seems like you have had many scans and a consistent problem with cysts. Ovarian cancer would not get smaller like your cysts have done. But, with endo and a family history of ovarian cancer, I am not sure about the Lupron and birth control pills. Have you ever had a CT scan? Perhaps this would shed more light on the type of cysts you are dealing with. It doesn't sound like you have confidence in your doctor and a second opinion never hurts. Trust your intuition.
They are the best qualified to deal with ovarian cysts, even those that turn out to be benign. If you do end up having surgery, have it done by a gyn. oncologist, or at least ensure that they are present at the surgery. In the unlikely event that it would be cancer, you definitely want a gyn. oncologist to be the one handling the staging during surgery.
Believe me, I know that staying calm and not thinking the worst is easier said than done.
Welcome to the community. Most ovarian cysts, even complex ones, are benign (non-cancerous). Most cysts resolve on their own in 2 to 3 cycles although this is less apt to happen with complex cysts. If you do not have a family history of ovarian cancer then your lifetime risk is very low, 1.3% per the National Cancer Institute.
If you do need surgery and there is a possibility of cancer, it is best that a gynecologic oncologist do the surgery as they are the experts.
At such a young age it can eb dermoid cyst which is a type of complex ovarian cyst and is the most common type and develops during the childbearing age. Complex ovarian cysts are generally benign. The risk of malignancy is generally higher among postmenopausal women.
Most ovarian cysts disappear in 8 to 12 weeks. If they persist then before going in for surgery we can try the birth control pills also.
I am sorry you have to go threw this it is very stressfull to have this hanging over your head. Keep in mind most cysts are benign!! Since your transvaginal sonogram(TV) showed complex cysts on your ovary warrants a very thourough work up to rule out any other potential issues.
My wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010 and I know what it feels like to not know what the next step is. Here is a quick overview.
Cysts larger than 5cm and that are complex are worrisome for ovarian cancer. But, the only way to know for sure is to have the mass removed and biopsied. Also, cysts or masses in postmenopausal women are more worrisome for cancer than ones in younger women. I have a neighbor friend who had an 8cm complex mass in her 60's and it was benign. Yet, I had a 6cm, complex mass in my 30's and it was malignant. Ovarian cancer is tricky because it is different for everyone.
Complex cysts need to be investigated to rule out cancer. Not saying it is, mind you. It is rare, but more likely with complex cysts than with other types.
For piece of mind, and since you are in the USA in a city that should have this type of specialist: ask to be referred to a gynecologist/oncologist.
If surgery is required, this is the only doctor you want to have performing it.
The radiologist sent a copy of the results to my doctor as well as the specialist which stated I had bilateral complex ovarian cysts the right measuring 5.7 x 4.2 cm and left 3.9 x 3.4 cm. The specialist office called and I will be seeing him next week and my doctor called me through the week and have seen her today. My doctor thinks the cysts are nothing it is normal and the pain I have is back related.
Anechoic cysts tend to be filled with fluid so that is a good sign. Cysts related to ovarian cancer tend to be complex (with solid parts) and grow larger than 5cm. Most cysts (even complex ones) turn out to be benign. It is the general recommendation to watch and wait cysts that are simple and under 5cm. But, since your cyst is already 4.1 cm., I can see why your doctor has mentioned surgery as a possibility. It is possible for your cyst to go away on its own in time.
After months of imaging and blood test I finally have a surgery date of September 11. My bloodwork done back in June all came back negative but I've heard that that isn't an exact science . I am 57 years old postmenopausal the complex systems 4 x 7 on my right ovary . Because the ultrasound report stated that ovarian neoplasm cannot be omitted an oncologist looked over all of my paperwork he felt that he did not have to be present that the GYN could take care of it on her own.
I have just be diagnosed of having a complex ovarian cyst. I have been having lower back pain for a week and half. I went to the doctor and she did a CT thinking that I had kidney stones. BUT they found a complex ovarian cyst. I then had a sonagram. My question is how serious and what about cancer??
At such a young age it can eb dermoid cyst which is a type of complex ovarian cyst and is the most common type and develops during the childbearing age. Complex ovarian cysts are generally benign. The risk of malignancy is generally higher among postmenopausal women.
Most ovarian cysts disappear in 8 to 12 weeks. If they persist then before going in for surgery we can try the birth control pills also.
I do know that chances of ovarian cancer increase with age and also with family history. A complex cyst does not necessarily mean cancer, there are many types of complex cysts that can be benign. However, it's my understanding that complex cysts are more "suspicious" than simple cysts. You may want to go to the gynecologist's office prepared with a list of questions.
Thank you for your reply.
I read some of the Health Pages but didn't find anything on Complex Cysts.....I did find info on other types of cysts....Maybe Complex Cyst is one of those?
My gyn did mention Laparoscopy, if at all possible, but could end up with open surgery.
I'll just keep positive thoughts this cyst will shrink or disolve and then I won't have to deal with thinking about surgery! (smile)
Have a great day!
I would imagine that with the inflammation of ulcerative colitis that perhaps it could impact laparoscopic surgery. I hadn't thought of that before. There were lots of issues around my surgery because of my J-Pouch. My gyn brought in a general surgeon as well in case there were problems around my pouch and intestines. I am most worried about the stress of surgery and hoping it doesn't result in a flare up for you.
t just do cancer but complex surgery. Many will just take one or both ovaries because it is easier than removing cysts. Or you can get a second opinion with another Gyn. You have time.
I have late stage ovarian cancer and I would not tell you this if I thought your doctor was not a good doctor. We need more doctors like yours. Most doctors will send you to an oncologist in a heart beat if they suspect ovarian cancer. You can ask your doctor why she thinks it is not cancer.
At such a young age it can be dermoid cyst which is a type of complex ovarian cyst and is the most common type and develops during the childbearing age. Complex ovarian cysts are generally benign. The risk of malignancy is generally higher among postmenopausal women.
Most ovarian cysts disappear in 8 to 12 weeks. If they persist then before going in for surgery we can try the birth control pills also.
I am 49 and have a long history of simple ovarian cysts which cause a lot of pain. I had one of these in early May. When I went back for another vaginal ultrasound 6 weeks later, the cyst on the right was gone, but there was now a 4.7 cm, irregularly shaped septated cyst on the left ovary. I am having another ultrasound tomorrow, but am very worried because I have been experiencing almost all of the typical symptoms of oc. I need honest insight into the situation. Thanks!
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