Not Diagnosed but have questions about symptoms

Fergy11

I am not sure if I am on the correct board but I was unable to find answers to my questions anywhere else. I am 54 years old and post menopausal, had a hysterectomy at age 32 for pelvic congestion, I had varicose veins coming from my left ovary, removing my uterus was the only way to stop the monthly pain. I started having flecks of that pain and some other issues last fall. I also had 2 1/2 years of cervical biopsies and cryosurgery for precancerous cells 8 yrs prior to the hysterectomy. I was never able to tolerate birth control pills so I never took them for any length of time. I only had one child when I was 21. My mother took DES when she was pregnant with me to prevent miscarriage.

In December I had a complete physical which included a pelvic exam at which time the doctor said my left ovary felt enlarged. He ordered an ultrasound and lots of blood work but no CA125. My estrogen levels were so low that he said he would call them negative. The ultrasound findings said:

The right ovary measures 2.4 x 1.3 x 2.0cm. The left ovary measures 3.8 x 1.4 x 2.2cm. It contains a small presumed cyst measuring 1.6 x 1.0 x 1.5cm. There is no evidence of an adnexal mass or free fluid.

My doctor suggested that I come back in 6 months and check it again. Since then I have had increasing pressure in my abdomen and aching in my lower back. Last month I had a horrible UTI that I finally got rid of with 7 days of CIPRO but I haven't had one in years so I was surprised. I have an appointment scheduled with my doctor for June 22nd at which time I am sure he will order another ultrasound.

My questions are: What are the chances of the cyst or ovary enlarging enough to cause discomfort in that short of time? Also what is the chances that it could be benign? I know with breast cancer it normally grows slow but I couldn't find anything about the growth speed of ovarian cancer.

Thank you for anything you can share to make me feel OK with waiting.

poopergirl14052

ovca is very agressive
Please ask you dr. for ca-125 blood test and a ct scan to rule out ovca. This disease is very fast growing and hard to dectect until it has spread through the abdomen and intestines. I know benight cysts are very painful but so is ca. val

kellyh33

Don't walk but
run back to the doctor. My Mom had a hysterectomy at 40 except her left ovary was left behind. At 66 she started having all kinds of problems such a tinkling in her pants which nobody thought was a big deal since both of my sisters had bladder lifts in their 40's. She also began to lose weight and throw up when she ate. The doctor ran all kinds of bloodtests and also an ultrasound and no CA125. The only thing that came back was that mom's iron level were a little low.
Finally another doctor ordered a CT scan once Mom began to bloat. The CT scan showed a small pocket of fluid in her right abdomen coming from her ovary. Two weeks later it was 9 cm.
I am not trying to scare you but you have to be incharge of your own healthcare. Ask for a CA 125 and a transvaginal ultrasound. My Mom does not fall into any of that at risk groups either and yet it got her.
Now all that being said ovarian cysts when they are bursting can be very painful. My 28 yr old neice has had them for years. Hers alternate from the left side back to right each and every month. They do not turn into cancer.
Please let us know how things turn out for you.

Fergy11

poopergirl14052 said:

ovca is very agressive
Please ask you dr. for ca-125 blood test and a ct scan to rule out ovca. This disease is very fast growing and hard to dectect until it has spread through the abdomen and intestines. I know benight cysts are very painful but so is ca. val

Thank you for such a quick
Thank you for such a quick response. I will call the doctor on Monday and get an appointment.

Fergy11

kellyh33 said:

Don't walk but
run back to the doctor. My Mom had a hysterectomy at 40 except her left ovary was left behind. At 66 she started having all kinds of problems such a tinkling in her pants which nobody thought was a big deal since both of my sisters had bladder lifts in their 40's. She also began to lose weight and throw up when she ate. The doctor ran all kinds of bloodtests and also an ultrasound and no CA125. The only thing that came back was that mom's iron level were a little low.
Finally another doctor ordered a CT scan once Mom began to bloat. The CT scan showed a small pocket of fluid in her right abdomen coming from her ovary. Two weeks later it was 9 cm.
I am not trying to scare you but you have to be incharge of your own healthcare. Ask for a CA 125 and a transvaginal ultrasound. My Mom does not fall into any of that at risk groups either and yet it got her.
Now all that being said ovarian cysts when they are bursting can be very painful. My 28 yr old neice has had them for years. Hers alternate from the left side back to right each and every month. They do not turn into cancer.
Please let us know how things turn out for you.

When I was menstruating I
When I was menstruating I used to have cyst burst on my ovaries too. I have a very high pain tolerance so for me to be "uncomfortable" is the same as someone being in extreme pain. The varicose veins that I had in my fallopian tubes were the size of my doctors finger on the day he did the laporascopy to see what was going on. He couldn't believe I had suffered with that pain for 1 1/2 years until he discovered it. Same reaction several years later from the doctor that did my emergency gall bladder surgery. It could be a benign cyst that is growing fast too right?

LaundryQueen

Fergy11 said:

When I was menstruating I
When I was menstruating I used to have cyst burst on my ovaries too. I have a very high pain tolerance so for me to be "uncomfortable" is the same as someone being in extreme pain. The varicose veins that I had in my fallopian tubes were the size of my doctors finger on the day he did the laporascopy to see what was going on. He couldn't believe I had suffered with that pain for 1 1/2 years until he discovered it. Same reaction several years later from the doctor that did my emergency gall bladder surgery. It could be a benign cyst that is growing fast too right?

You need to find a GYN/ONC asap
The "cysts" that I had on my left ovary grew super fast and turned out to be cancer that spread all over the place in a matter of weeks.

Please get the CA-125 blood test and take the result with the ultrasound report to a good GYN/ONC. Ovarian cancer is NOT a disease that whispers, it is a disease that no one listens to...your symptoms are suspicious and need to be followed up on sooner rather than later.

Please let us know how your test results turn out--I hope you have nothing to worry about.

Fergy11

LaundryQueen said:

You need to find a GYN/ONC asap
The "cysts" that I had on my left ovary grew super fast and turned out to be cancer that spread all over the place in a matter of weeks.

Please get the CA-125 blood test and take the result with the ultrasound report to a good GYN/ONC. Ovarian cancer is NOT a disease that whispers, it is a disease that no one listens to...your symptoms are suspicious and need to be followed up on sooner rather than later.

Please let us know how your test results turn out--I hope you have nothing to worry about.

Thanks for your concern
I will find a Gyn/Onc that is in my network on Monday and make an appointment. All it will cost me is a little time and a $45 co-pay. If it is nothing then it will just give me some peace of mind right? Thank you for your help.