An Ultra Sound Scan showed I have a large cyst 12.6x16x10cm with a number of other smaller cysts, this is to the left side of my ovaries on the top. I have been told by my GP that I will have to have a full hysterectomy.
I have middle and lower back pain and pelvic pain but that could be the fibroids I have in my uterus as well.
Today I have had blood tests to test for CA-125 and CEA CA-199 which I know are cancer tests and have a CT scan on Thursday with a clinic appointment to see the Gynecologist 1st April. From all these tests will they be able to give me a diagnosis?
I am worrying because I am a single parent with a 16yr old son about to take his GCSE's and I know bad news will devastate him.
That is a big cyst, but not all that unusual - my daughter had one 16 cm by 10cm, removed by laparotomy a month ago today. She is back at school and coping well. I'm not a medic but just wonder if it might be worth asking why your GP is opting for a full hysterectomy, when there's no concrete evidence as yet to support something so relatively drastic?
Yes, those tests do measure for cancer, but they are routine for all large ovarian cysts - my daughter had the same tests & sh3 is only 16. They are not conclusive, so even if your CA-125 comes back elevated, that does not mean it is cancer.
Yes, you will certainly get a diagnosis from the tests, but it might be tentative - as in, it's possibly not benign but we are going to act as if it is not, just to be sure. I wish you all the best - try not to worry too much, I've been there and I know how things can magnify themselves.
Why are they giving you a hysterectomy. Many people I know have had cysts on both sides , even larger than yours but they just remove them. A hysterectomy is ususlly not advised unless it is cancer which they wont be able yo see until they have it out and examined. X
I have got a cyst of a similar size at the moment, it was 12cm by 9cm the last time that it was measured on March 3rd, but it seems to me as if it has grown a lot since then. It is a complex cyst like yours and is mostly fluid but with some solid parts.
I have had my CA125 tests and they were slightly elevated but my GP says that that test is notoriously unreliable as even where you are in your cycle can affect the result. If it is elevated it does not mean it is cancer either so try not to worry too much about whatever it is that they say.
I am going for an MRI tomorrow so hope that I will have some more clear answers soon....
There are some really lovely ladies on here and I have found talking to people on here and hearing stories is so nice! It helps to know you are not the only one
Hi Victoria, am guessing because I have a number of fibroids in my uterus and have had erratic periods for as long as I can remember. It is nice to hear that there have been cysts larger than mine.
Hi Mel, Thanks for your reply. You are quite correct I have let things magnify to the point I had to take a couple of days of work but intend to go back tomorrow. The large cyst I am told is possibly a vascular cyst with veins and arteries making it complex so am guessing that is another reason for the full hysterectomy.
I haven't had a CT scan no. I had my first proper scan on March 3rd and since then I met with the gynae on 13th and had all my bloods done etc and going for the MRI tomorrow.
I am only 27 so apparently low risk but I still feel like I am being rushed around and it is so scary. The fact that it is "complex" also frightens me as the word is very ominous!
How do you feel in yourself? Have you had many symptoms? Is your stomach swollen? xx
Try not to worry about being 'rushed around.' My daughter was diagnosed with a cyst on a Thursday, had the scan on Friday, blood tests on the following Monday, and the surgery ten days after that.
Yeah stomach swollen........I am classed as higher risk I suppose because I am 45. I also have lower back pain, pelvic pain.....I have loose stools, and am trumping and burping a lot but am not sure if that is because of the size of the cyst, apart from the fibroids my uterus is fairly normal for a woman of my age and weight ( I am over weight probably about 2 and half stone)
In my self I just feel rough but am not sure if that is just anxiety about the whole situation. xx
I am not actually 100% on this but I am pretty sure "high risk" is post menopausal so try not to worry too much about that.
I have lower back pain, some stabbing feelings in my lower abdomen, I trump quite a bit too so you are not alone on that one....
I get nauseous in waves and also cant eat much. Its a bit of a pain as I think it is just squashing us all up.
Are your fibroids painful? It sounds like you are having a rough time of it with everything going on down there! Perhaps that is why they recommended a full hystorectamy? It may be just easier for you if you are having so many problems
How do they know that it has all of its own veins etc?
When I initially went to see my GP with the swollen abdomen they made me do a pregnancy test!! :O
In the past they have put the pelvic pain down to degenerating fibroids, that's where they get too big and cut off their own blood supply so they then get smaller and then grow again .
The veins etc showed up on the USS am told.....my GP read to me the analysis from the hospital.
I am not eating much just trying little and often......feel like I permanently have a lump in my throat
Yes when I first went to the Drs I was diagnosed as 5 months pregnant! I nearly fell off my chair! hahaha
You poor thing. That sounds so uncomfortable! Maybe it would be best just to have everything out for you? No more fibroid issues, no more pain! Although it will be a longer recovery at least you will feel better in the long run?
I know how you feel, it is constant worry. I am due to go on holiday on April 8th and I of course will cancel if there is any chance that there could be anything sinister but I am so worried about letting everyone down on top of the worries on my health.
How long before your ultrasound did you notice your cyst?? Have they offered you a date for surgery yet? xx
To be honest Beccy my tummy has been swelling up and down for a while but more recently probably 3 or 4 months has just been getting bigger. I personally first felt the mass about 4 or 5 weeks ago and my USS was just a week ago now. I don't normally feel my abdomen but just felt I needed to when I did.
I initially went to the GP because I had been spotting every day since about the end of January, with my history I thought they would just automatically check my tummy but I had to ask them to do it.....am glad I did now. I had been trying to get an appointment with the doctor who I had been seeing before but it took me ages to get an appointment with him so eventually went with a female doctor who referred me for the Urgent USS. The results of that they said are inconclusive as to whether it was cancer or not hence the tests and CT scan now I guess.
No surgery date yet am guessing they will wait for the blood and CT Scan results and on the 1st April we should know what we are dealing with ........ a constant worry yes
I suppose with the fibroids you must be used to that? I have not had them myself but I read quite a lot up on them as they also suspected that when I first went to the GP.
Do you feel like to has gotten bigger since you first noticed? I think sometimes they can be really slow until you point something out....almost like they're just going through the motions rather than properly looking at your case!
I am sure that you will be ok on the c word front. Although I know that that is of little comfort as lots of people keep saying that to me. If there is anything at all that they dont like the look of I am sure that you will be whisked in in no time!!!
Did they say what the difference was between having an MRI vs a CT Scan? I don't know why one would be more preferable than the other! I am completely freaked out just by the thought of that let alone surgery!
Victoria, I have had some pain under my ribs little sharp short pains when taking in a big deep breath not really associated with eating though, just not eating a lot.xx
Just got this off NetDoctor.....................The difference between normal and abnormal tissue is often clearer on the MRI scan than on the CT scan, because the anatomical differences between these types of tissues is seen more clearly.
Sounds like you are getting a better deal than me......MRI is also more costly.xx
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