Ovarian cysts genetic
Common Questions and Answers about Ovarian cysts genetic
ovarian-cysts
Although these traits can occur with cancer, they can also occur with benign cysts. And most cysts are benign. The average woman's lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is very low at 1.3%. So if you do not have a genetic predisposition / family history of ovarian cancer then the odds are greatly in your favor that they are benign.
Is your doctor monitoring them for now with periodic ultrasounds?
I have a long history of ovarian cysts that usually go away,but also a family history of cancer. They came across a larger than usuall one on my left side and started to watch it, as of now it has continued to grow and they're now considering it complex. My question is they tested my Alpha-Fetoprotein levels and they are elevated, is this common with ovarian cysts or does this mean I need to be concerned with cancer? Any and all information would be appreciated.
From what I have read most ovarian cysts, even in post-menopausal women, are benign and don't require intervention. This website by a reputable ob/gyn addresses this at the bottom of the webpage with the heading "Can an ovarian cyst form after menopause."
http://www.ovaryresearch.com/ovarian_cysts.htm
Absent a genetic predisposition for ovarian cancer such as BRCA1+ or BRCA2+, a woman's lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is less than 2%, 1.
I have a history of complex ovarian cysts and fibroids. Had a benign cyst removed in 1990 and CA 125 was in the single digits. Continue with cysts and fibroids which have been monitored with TV ultrasound - they remained stable so no concern. CA 125 in 2003 was 7. Now about a month ago I had lumpectomy for stage 1 breast cancer - no node involvement. Plan to start radiation soon. Had my cysts checked and new CA125 is 56! Is there a good chance I now have ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is quite rare in women who do not have a genetic predisposition (less than 2% chance). Ovarian cysts are VERY common and most go away on their own. They can cause irregular bleeding. So the typical recommendation for most cysts is to monitor via periodic ultrasounds or just do another ultrasound if symptoms do not resolve.
I am sorry to hear you had breast cancer and now have an ovarian cyst. Most ovarian cysts are benign (non-cancerous) regardless of the woman's age. However, I believe the risk of ovarian cancer increases after menopause. But even still, a woman without a family history of OC or a genetic link has a VERY LOW lifetime risk (less than 2%).
There are many women who get breast cancer that is not hereditary. But women without a hereditary risk of ovarian cancer rarely get it.
Ultrasound of ovarian cysts is not an exact science. Most ovarian cysts are benign and most go away in 2 to 3 cycles / months. Yours is still small which is also good. If you do not have a family history / genetic predisposition for ovarian cancer then your lifetime risk is less than 2% (1.3% per government statistics).
If there is a concern about malignancy, you will want to see a gynecologic oncologist.
should i request certain tests or go with the wait and see option? my understanding is also that bilateral cysts are fairly uncommon and genetic, does this have any relation to the BRCA gene?
I would appreciate any help you can give me on what direction I should go next and a realistic idea of the importance of this issue. (I don't know if my dr.
I always say to people, tell the gyn it hurts when you ovulate or where your ovaries are so that they will at least do a sonogram to see and make sure that there are no cysts of any types.....most cysts, over 90 percent are benign, but, the doctors can watch these cysts for changes if they know that they are there.
Thanks for taking the time in trying to better understand the disease.
Best of luck to you.
I went to my primary who thought it was appendicitis on examination even though I mentioned a history of ovarian cysts in my mother, and my aunt died of cancer. The doctor sent me to the emergency room. I underwent a CT scan (which was "normal") and an ultrasound. (I never got the reports.) The ultrasound tech said that it was difficult to "see anything." She said that there was so much contrast from the CT that she could not see my ovaries.
Most ovarian cysts, even complex ones, are benign especially if you do not have a genetic predisposition for ovarian cancer. A woman's lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is less than 2% (1.3% per U.S. government statistics).
MANY women lose an ovary or ovaries unnecessarily for ovarian cysts. Surgeons who have good cystectomy skills are almost always able to remove cysts leaving the ovary or a good amount of ovarian tissue intact as explained here http://ovaryresearch.com/ovarian_cysts.htm.
By far, most ovarian cysts are benign even complex ones. Most cysts resolve on their own in 3 cycles or so but complex ones are less apt to resolve. Since removal of even one ovary can impair fertility and even lifelong health (since the ovaries produce hormones a woman's whole life), it is best to have just the cyst removed (cystectomy) versus the ovary (oophorectomy).
I have PCOS and a history of ovarian cysts. I also carry the genetic marker for ovarian cancer. My greatgrandmother had ovarian cancer at 36, my gma was 41, my great aunt was 43. My mother and her sisters all had hysterectomies in their early 30s. I have a bicarnate (sp?) uterus and it is partially attached to my bladder. This hasn't caused me issues except when I've had uterine fibroids when I was younger.
At this point I have scheduled surgery for April 1.
Sorry you are dealing with this! MOST ovarian cysts are benign including ones that look suspicious. If you do not have a genetic predisposition for ovarian cancer then your lifetime chances of getting it are very slim (less than 2%).
I had a similar cyst although mine was larger - 9.5cm. It had some solid matter and some septations. Characteristics that are concerning are thick walls, thick septations, solid components, "finger-like" projections, ascites.
s DX, scared to death I came home for a week, had a transvaginal doppler, and was found to have a large fibroid tumor and 3 ovarian cysts. For regular people without the family HX, they usually wait to see if on the next menstrual cycle if the cysts resovle on their own. I ended up asking numerous times and demanded for a CA 125 to be run. Mine was elevated to 53. With the cysts and fibroid, I said yes to total hysterectomy with oopherectomy-removal of the ovaries...everything came out in July.
You want a transvaginal ultrasound and a CA-125 bloodtest to rule out ovarian cancer. I know nothing about ovarian cysts, but they are much more plentiful than ovarian cancers -- and almost always benign -- so try to "think positive."
If, after examination, your gynecologist suggests that surgery might be in order (even for cysts), please be sure you get a gynecological oncologist (who will have several years more training and is a specialist in gyn surgery) for the surgery.
Hi There,
There are definitely situations where there are several possible approaches. For young women with pain and ovarian cysts, the most common approach is watchful waiting so as not to do unnecessary surgery.
Commonly, one would consider adding a medical intervention to suppress ovarian cycling such as the birth control pill or even inducing artificial menopause with something like lupron. If the pain and cysts go away, then it is usually reasonable to continue on the pill.
A woman who does not have the BRCA genetic mutaion has a 1.4% of ovarian cancer in her life time. The statistics are smaller at your age. 98 or more of ovarian cysts or tumors are benign. A transvaginal ultra sound can show a lot. The symptoms you describe could just be from the cyst. Pap smears do not show ovarian cancer. Ultra sounds and CT scans are the only way to see the ovaries. Ovarian cancer at least at first has no symptoms.
A woman without the BRCA mutation ( a genetic mutation which runs in families and causes ovarian cancer) has a 1.4% of getting ovarian cancer in a life time. The odds are very low it is ovarian cancer.
2. It is rarer still to get ovarian cancer before the age of 40.
3. By the time you have symptoms for ovarian cancer it would probably show up on a CT scan. Women do not have symptoms for ovarian cancer until they have had it awhile.
4.
Development of cysts is a normal part of the menstrual cycle. But sometimes the cysts grow and hang around longer than normal which can cause symptoms. Typically, these cysts resolve on their own within three cycles / months which is why the standard of care is to just give them time and then recheck. Pain can sometimes be felt throughout the pelvis, not just on the side that has the cyst.
Ovarian cancer is rare in women who do not have a genetic predisposition / family history.
Chances are slim that this could be ovarian cancer especially if you don't have a genetic predisposition for it. Most ovarian cysts resolve on their own and 2cm is very small. Imaging is not exact so what appears to be "solid" could be something like a hemorrhagic (blood filled) cyst. You may want to call your gynecologist to get clarification or her opinion. Let us know what you find out.
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