ovarian cysts / ovarian cancer.....is there a link?

Mum2bellaandwilliam
Mum2bellaandwilliam Member Posts: 412
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I'm interested to know how many of you have had cysts prior to diagnosis.
I am asking because I have been missing periods on and for 6 months and now i am having them when i shouldn't,only had this once on my most recent cycle.
I went for an ultasound about 3 cycles and they said there was a cyst, but it looked normal.I am in the pill, so apparently I shouldnt really develop them!
I keep going back to the doctor everytime I miss a period or have one I shouldn't. I just keep getting fobbed off.My periods have always been as regular as clockwork.its been about 6 months now.
Just intersted to know how many of you had problems with cysts.

thanks Liz.

Comments

  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #2
    Cysts
    Only speaking from personal experience, I had problems with cysts, starting when I was 39, when I was diagnosed with endometriosis, and had a 9 cm cyst removed. I developed additional cysts thereafter, but did not have to have surgery for those. But cysts are normal. Everytime a woman ovulates, she gets what is called a simple cyst. These tend to be about 2 cm in size.
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
    #3
    Tethys41 said:

    Cysts
    Only speaking from personal experience, I had problems with cysts, starting when I was 39, when I was diagnosed with endometriosis, and had a 9 cm cyst removed. I developed additional cysts thereafter, but did not have to have surgery for those. But cysts are normal. Everytime a woman ovulates, she gets what is called a simple cyst. These tend to be about 2 cm in size.

    I had a "cyst"
    When I felt that I had a mass in my pelvis, I had an ultrasound done--there report said that there was a complex cyst that was 5cm in diameter and an enlarged left ovary. I was already menopausal at the time...so I probably had that cyst for a while and eventually, I think it just turned into cancer.

    You might have what is called a follicular cyst--like Tethy41 said, simple ovarian cysts are part of the normal process of ovulation. However, you are on the pill and therefore NOT ovulating. Technically speaking, what you describe is called breakthrough bleeding--it's a real nuisance, too.

    Maybe you need to be on a different birth control pill--or see a different gyn doctor. Because of your family history, you are not being unreasonable in wanting answers. On the other hand, ovarian cysts are really common and usually go away on their own. I would want to get a transvaginal ultrasound every 6 months if I were you.

    Good luck getting this sorted out,

    LQ
  • BrittanyC
    BrittanyC Member Posts: 100
    #4
    LaundryQueen said:

    I had a "cyst"
    When I felt that I had a mass in my pelvis, I had an ultrasound done--there report said that there was a complex cyst that was 5cm in diameter and an enlarged left ovary. I was already menopausal at the time...so I probably had that cyst for a while and eventually, I think it just turned into cancer.

    You might have what is called a follicular cyst--like Tethy41 said, simple ovarian cysts are part of the normal process of ovulation. However, you are on the pill and therefore NOT ovulating. Technically speaking, what you describe is called breakthrough bleeding--it's a real nuisance, too.

    Maybe you need to be on a different birth control pill--or see a different gyn doctor. Because of your family history, you are not being unreasonable in wanting answers. On the other hand, ovarian cysts are really common and usually go away on their own. I would want to get a transvaginal ultrasound every 6 months if I were you.

    Good luck getting this sorted out,

    LQ

    I'm 24 and I have been on
    I'm 24 and I have been on the patch, Orthoevra for nearly 6 years. I've developed a painful cyst and an ultrasound was done. My doctor told me that every woman, on birth control or not, do develop cysts. We just may or may not feel them.


    I hope you can find an alternative that will work best with you :)
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #5
    BrittanyC said:

    I'm 24 and I have been on
    I'm 24 and I have been on the patch, Orthoevra for nearly 6 years. I've developed a painful cyst and an ultrasound was done. My doctor told me that every woman, on birth control or not, do develop cysts. We just may or may not feel them.


    I hope you can find an alternative that will work best with you :)

    I had PCOS when I was very
    I had PCOS when I was very young, and was told that BC pills had contributed to the condition. I had multiple cysts that would not dissolve with meds and had to be surgically removed.

    Carlene
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    #6
    I had endometriosis and the
    I had endometriosis and the "chocolate" cysts associated with that when I was in my 30s. My OVCA was in the ovary that had the cysts.
  • Mum2bellaandwilliam
    Mum2bellaandwilliam Member Posts: 412
    #7
    srwruns said:

    I had endometriosis and the
    I had endometriosis and the "chocolate" cysts associated with that when I was in my 30s. My OVCA was in the ovary that had the cysts.

    hi they said it was a corpus
    hi they said it was a corpus luteum cyst, which is normal , the doc changed my pill but it has now started making bleed when I shouldnt!I have had this pill now for 2 months I went back to tell them this and he said give it a few months to settle down.
    A year ago I wouldnt have been so worried about all this , I have now been to the doctors about 4 times and just keep getting fobbed off.they did do transvaginal when they scanned me , so I don't think I have got anything to worry about.But I want an answer! regular as clockwork for all those years and now missing periods and having them when I shouldn't
    I even booked myself in for a smear test, but because it hasnt been three years since my last one the lab just sent it back !!! gggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #8
    Mum2bellaandwilliam said:

    hi they said it was a corpus
    hi they said it was a corpus luteum cyst, which is normal , the doc changed my pill but it has now started making bleed when I shouldnt!I have had this pill now for 2 months I went back to tell them this and he said give it a few months to settle down.
    A year ago I wouldnt have been so worried about all this , I have now been to the doctors about 4 times and just keep getting fobbed off.they did do transvaginal when they scanned me , so I don't think I have got anything to worry about.But I want an answer! regular as clockwork for all those years and now missing periods and having them when I shouldn't
    I even booked myself in for a smear test, but because it hasnt been three years since my last one the lab just sent it back !!! gggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

    Bella you are gorgeous and I would be proactive too
    knowing what you have learned about the disease. Keep yourself well and get answers. Follow your instincts ..val
  • lindachris
    lindachris Member Posts: 173
    #9
    Ovarian cysts
    When I met my wife Linda we were 23 and 22 years old. 2 months into the relationship she had two rather large ovarian cysts removed. I vividly recall visiting her in the hospital where she peeled down her gown to show me the "bikini cut" ...and I thought, "Well, this must be a serious relationship if we're going through this." I also admittedly thought at the time, "What does it mean to have ovarian cysts?"

    I'm not some chauvinist who was thinking "Can she have kids" or anything like that. I was just hyper healthy athletic at the time and did not know what it meant.

    Fast forward from 1981 to 2005 when a new cyst showed up on her ovary. I had chased my wife to the gynecologist because she didn't have one and was having troubles with heavy periods. Remembering the cysts, I thought it prudent to get checked. But we were with an HMO at the time and doctor choice was limited, and she didn't want to go to some butcher.

    The woman gynecologist did a thorough job in ordering an ultrasound for my wife's ovaries upon hearing her history. The cyst was found and the gynecologist did laproscopic removal of the cyst. Bad idea. She broke it up whle taking it out and then told us the test of the tissue showed that Linda had ovarian cancer. (the cancer did spread a little then).

    We were absolutely floored. 8 chemos and three interperitoneal treatments later we thought we had it licked. It came back in 2007. That almost wiped Linda out emotionally. Very scary for this husband. More chemo. Yet it came back in 2010. More chemo. And it's back again in 2011. And probably more chemo. Linda's just pissed this time? Disgusted? Disappointed? Resolute? Hard to tell.

    So it is a persistent disease but the earlier you catch it the better chance you stand of preventing it from taking over your life. I think Linda was staged IIc but it was labeled an "aggressive" form. The history speaks for itself.

    We're much calmer this time around however. Figuring out what we need to do. It's been a long trip with two great kids in between. We're spending the day with them tomorrow in the city of Chicago before all the chemo or whatever starts up again.
  • Mum2bellaandwilliam
    Mum2bellaandwilliam Member Posts: 412
    #10
    lindachris said:

    Ovarian cysts
    When I met my wife Linda we were 23 and 22 years old. 2 months into the relationship she had two rather large ovarian cysts removed. I vividly recall visiting her in the hospital where she peeled down her gown to show me the "bikini cut" ...and I thought, "Well, this must be a serious relationship if we're going through this." I also admittedly thought at the time, "What does it mean to have ovarian cysts?"

    I'm not some chauvinist who was thinking "Can she have kids" or anything like that. I was just hyper healthy athletic at the time and did not know what it meant.

    Fast forward from 1981 to 2005 when a new cyst showed up on her ovary. I had chased my wife to the gynecologist because she didn't have one and was having troubles with heavy periods. Remembering the cysts, I thought it prudent to get checked. But we were with an HMO at the time and doctor choice was limited, and she didn't want to go to some butcher.

    The woman gynecologist did a thorough job in ordering an ultrasound for my wife's ovaries upon hearing her history. The cyst was found and the gynecologist did laproscopic removal of the cyst. Bad idea. She broke it up whle taking it out and then told us the test of the tissue showed that Linda had ovarian cancer. (the cancer did spread a little then).

    We were absolutely floored. 8 chemos and three interperitoneal treatments later we thought we had it licked. It came back in 2007. That almost wiped Linda out emotionally. Very scary for this husband. More chemo. Yet it came back in 2010. More chemo. And it's back again in 2011. And probably more chemo. Linda's just pissed this time? Disgusted? Disappointed? Resolute? Hard to tell.

    So it is a persistent disease but the earlier you catch it the better chance you stand of preventing it from taking over your life. I think Linda was staged IIc but it was labeled an "aggressive" form. The history speaks for itself.

    We're much calmer this time around however. Figuring out what we need to do. It's been a long trip with two great kids in between. We're spending the day with them tomorrow in the city of Chicago before all the chemo or whatever starts up again.

    thanks for all your
    thanks for all your responses, Christ linda's story sucks , bless her , will the beast never just give in and go away?
    My mum is now on her second line the first line failed, well it reduced it enough to operate , the surgeon removed all visible traces and then the b*****d grew again, so she is now straight on to doxil, which is working for now.
    Its just so scary , as i said earlier a year ago I wouldn't have thought much of it, yes I think I would have gone to the docs by now, but knowing what I know now I want answers!!!!
    I am going to make another appointment and demand a smear test, I am due for one really soon anyway, so they can just bring it forward a bit.If that comes back clear , then I will demand another ultrasound to make sure this cyst has gone , because something is not right.If that is clear , well I suppose I am just going to have to live with it!!! ggggrrrrrrr

    Liz xx
  • Radioactive34
    Radioactive34 Member Posts: 391 Member
    #11
    I had PCOS. I was diagnosed
    I had PCOS. I was diagnosed at 12. I had gotten my 1st period at 11. Then nothing for 6 months, and again nothing for 6 months. Needless to say my mother was concerned. We went to see a couple of doctors. I vividly remember the 1st ob/gyn was young and had trouble dealing with my fear of exams. I was 12....pelvics were really scary. He ended up screaming at me and my mom over my fear. Needless to say we did not get a pelvic and/or go back to his office.

    The 2nd doctor, was an older gentleman. He was able to deal with my fear. He said it was polycystic ovarian syndrome. He wanted to give me a full hysterectomy at 12. He said this was just not going to get any better for me. I remember thinking, "Hell, no I want kids." My mother said I was way to young for a hysterectomy.

    Since then, things really did not get better. I could not have kids. OMG, fertility treatments were the worst and I only did a bit of them. I could not tolerate birth control pills. Thankfully after I gave up trying to have kids. I did find a birth control pill that worked for a few years.

    It was a hell of a preexisting condition. Unless I was continually covered health insurances would not take cover me. As far as health insurance is concerned...PCOS is considered a precancerous condition.
  • BrittanyC
    BrittanyC Member Posts: 100
    #12
    Radioactive34 said:

    I had PCOS. I was diagnosed
    I had PCOS. I was diagnosed at 12. I had gotten my 1st period at 11. Then nothing for 6 months, and again nothing for 6 months. Needless to say my mother was concerned. We went to see a couple of doctors. I vividly remember the 1st ob/gyn was young and had trouble dealing with my fear of exams. I was 12....pelvics were really scary. He ended up screaming at me and my mom over my fear. Needless to say we did not get a pelvic and/or go back to his office.

    The 2nd doctor, was an older gentleman. He was able to deal with my fear. He said it was polycystic ovarian syndrome. He wanted to give me a full hysterectomy at 12. He said this was just not going to get any better for me. I remember thinking, "Hell, no I want kids." My mother said I was way to young for a hysterectomy.

    Since then, things really did not get better. I could not have kids. OMG, fertility treatments were the worst and I only did a bit of them. I could not tolerate birth control pills. Thankfully after I gave up trying to have kids. I did find a birth control pill that worked for a few years.

    It was a hell of a preexisting condition. Unless I was continually covered health insurances would not take cover me. As far as health insurance is concerned...PCOS is considered a precancerous condition.

    Liz,
    Have you tried possibly
    Liz,

    Have you tried possibly getting another doctor or a second opinion? There is nothing more that makes me angry than doctors not taking young people seriously. :( I hope that you get answers!
  • lauripiper
    lauripiper Member Posts: 28
    #13
    BrittanyC said:

    Liz,
    Have you tried possibly
    Liz,

    Have you tried possibly getting another doctor or a second opinion? There is nothing more that makes me angry than doctors not taking young people seriously. :( I hope that you get answers!

    cysts/ova cancer
    Any cancer can run in families. Have you had genetic testing done for BRCA? Even if you don't have the gene, I don't, family members are more at risk. My oncologist told me that my sister should get screened every 6 months with ultrasound and CA125. Definitely push your dr. now and in the future to keep cancer in mind and look for it. Most cancers are curable if caught in stage 1, even ovarian cancer.
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #14
    lauripiper said:

    cysts/ova cancer
    Any cancer can run in families. Have you had genetic testing done for BRCA? Even if you don't have the gene, I don't, family members are more at risk. My oncologist told me that my sister should get screened every 6 months with ultrasound and CA125. Definitely push your dr. now and in the future to keep cancer in mind and look for it. Most cancers are curable if caught in stage 1, even ovarian cancer.

    Me too
    I also had a cyst the size of a grapefruit on my right ovary while going through menopause. I have to wonder now if I had had it taken out if Maybe i would not have gotten cancer, guess i will never know. How ironic that is the ovary that had the most cancer.
  • Mum2bellaandwilliam
    Mum2bellaandwilliam Member Posts: 412
    #15
    azgrandma said:

    Me too
    I also had a cyst the size of a grapefruit on my right ovary while going through menopause. I have to wonder now if I had had it taken out if Maybe i would not have gotten cancer, guess i will never know. How ironic that is the ovary that had the most cancer.

    @lauripiper.
    I don't know if I have the BRCA gene, because mum is the only ovarian cancer case in our family we would have to pay to have the test done.It is several thousand pounds in the UK.To be honest I am now so aware of the symptons, that I don't feel it is worth it , it wouldn't change anything, I will either get it or I won't!!!!!!!!I did consider it when mum was first diagnosed, but now well it's the chance I take!!!!!!!
    Liz xxxx
  • lauriejw
    lauriejw Member Posts: 7
    #16
    Mum2bellaandwilliam said:

    @lauripiper.
    I don't know if I have the BRCA gene, because mum is the only ovarian cancer case in our family we would have to pay to have the test done.It is several thousand pounds in the UK.To be honest I am now so aware of the symptons, that I don't feel it is worth it , it wouldn't change anything, I will either get it or I won't!!!!!!!!I did consider it when mum was first diagnosed, but now well it's the chance I take!!!!!!!
    Liz xxxx

    I went to a gyn for a cyst
    I went to a gyn for a cyst that was found on ct scan. He told me after a transvaginal ultrasound he was 90% sure it was an endometrioma. Even when he took it out he still thought it was an endometrioma but pathology confirmed it to be cancer several days later. If I had it to do over I would have seen a gyn/oncologist from the first and had things done properly. My care was compromised because i didn't.

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