Questions about ovarian cyst

melm
melm Member Posts: 104
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Last week had my follow up scans after 6 mos. of chemo (bilateral mast. in Dec) and was told they were clear but that they did find a cyst on my right ovary. My onco recommennded a gyno and I visited him yesterday. Turns out this cyst is a "complex mass associated with the right ovary" and is 5cmm in size ( size of a chicken egg!). He asked me if they had told me that and I said no. He explained that "complex" means it is not a fluid filled cyst...there is something solid in it. Anyway, he did a quick exam ( which was a bit painful when he probed my ovary) and told me there were no techs available to do an ultrasound so I must return to his office on Tuesday for an ultrasound. He was giving off this air of urgency and it really scared me . Said that he would definitely want to use a surgical method but not to worry until Tuesday. Well, on Friday I will have my tissue expanders removed and replaced with implants. I asked him if this would interfere with my scheduled surgery and he said that they may be able to work it out to do both surgeries at the same time. After questioning my onco nurse, I found out that this cyst was visible on the scans in Jan. after surgery and before chemo. Why didn't anyone tell me?? Does this sound like something I need to be afraid of??? Last week I felt so relieved and now I find myself very scared. Thank you for any help on this.
Mel in Arkansas

Comments

  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #2
    Hi Mel! Don't jump to any conclusions until you have a definitive Dx. I know, easier said than done,but we all work ourselves up way before we really know if we should be worried.I would look into why you wern't told about this when it was first noticed.Sounds like someone should have said something. We've all had scares of one sort since initial Dx. but we all seem to be dealing. I have my first mammo since Dx. last July' tomorrow,and I'm scared but know I shouldn't worry till there's something to worry about. Sounds good but very difficult. Good luck at the MDs. Keep in touch. I'm praying for you. HUGS!!! Cathy
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398 Member
    #3
    Mel some of us are very cystic and especially it seems after cancer. I had many cysts that formed in the healthy breast that were benign. Not all cysts will be cancer, remember that. Often times doctors are concerned about the cancer raging in our bodies and that becmes the priority. I think they believe that chemo is taking care of the cancer end of it so will deal with the removal after. People often get chemo before sugery to limit the risks with removal of the tumor. I am just doing the ultrasound thing because of possibility of there being a growth. I haven't got my results back and can't spend my time fretting about it. Keep on Keeping on.
    24242Tara
  • melm
    melm Member Posts: 104
    #4
    cruf said:

    Hi Mel! Don't jump to any conclusions until you have a definitive Dx. I know, easier said than done,but we all work ourselves up way before we really know if we should be worried.I would look into why you wern't told about this when it was first noticed.Sounds like someone should have said something. We've all had scares of one sort since initial Dx. but we all seem to be dealing. I have my first mammo since Dx. last July' tomorrow,and I'm scared but know I shouldn't worry till there's something to worry about. Sounds good but very difficult. Good luck at the MDs. Keep in touch. I'm praying for you. HUGS!!! Cathy

    Thank you, Cathy. I guess fear is just going to be a normal part of this deal. Being able to log on to this network and ask questions helps so much. My prayers will be with you tomorrow. I know with God's grace he will provide us strength to deal with each hurdle! You are right about questioning the onco as to why I wasn't told about this before. Just seems a little strange. Oh, well, that will be a worry for Tuesday, right? Thank you so much for your response. Keep us posted on your results.
    Love and prayers-
    Mel
  • sharon_buck
    sharon_buck Member Posts: 62
    #5
    HI MEL WHEN I HAD MY SCANS THEY FOUND SMALL CYCTS ON EACH OF MY OVARIES THEY ALSO TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY SOME ARE NORMAL I SEE MY ONCO. THIS FRI. AND SINCE I HAVE DONE THE 6 MONTHS OF CHEMO AND RADIATION I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES. I HAVE BEEN ON TAMOXIFIN FOR 3 WEEKS AND UNDERSTAND THIS ALSO CAUSES CHANGES.ALWAYS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU TOMORROW. SHARON
  • sharon_buck
    sharon_buck Member Posts: 62
    #6
    ANOTHER CHANGE OF SUBJECT SORRY ABOUT YOUR TISSUE EXPANDERS I HAVE THEM ALSO AND SEE MY PLASTIC SURGEON THE 27TH HOPING I WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOO. VERY CURIOUS ABOUT THIS IT HAS BEEN THAT 3 WEEK PERIOD SO FAR AFTER RADIATION AND I ALWAYS FEEL TO SEE IF I CAN TELL IF MY SKIN HAS THICKENED LIKE IT MIGHT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IF IT DOES THAT CAN REMOVE SOME OF IT AND PROCEDE. LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE OUT COME ON FRI. WILL THINK OF YOU THEN ALSO. SHARON

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