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Simple Borderline Ovarian Cyst?

TimberTwig
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Hi,

 

Hoping for some help/clarificantion. After suffering pelvic pain, I was sent for an US. The techinician said I would be called back for a follow up appointment, as there was a cyst of c.5cm, but not to worry. They would send the diagnosis to my GP who would be in touch.

The following week the GP reception called to say my GP was on holiday for a few weeks and left a note saying I had a Simple Ovarian Cyst of 5cm, but it was borderline. I took that to mean that as it was only 5cm, it was borderline as to whether or not it was worth following up with another US. Didn't realise at the time that there was such a thing as a 'borderline cyst'.

As my GP is not back for another week, does anyone know if you can have a simple borderline cyst? Looking online, they tend to be complex. Also, if it were borderline, wouldn't I have been referred straight to a gyno rather than another scan in 6-8wks? So the GP might have just used a poor choice of words...?

Google is both a blessing and a curse at times like this!

 

Thanks

TT x

Parents

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    There are a few different types of cysts and most will not be due to cancer.

    A simple cyst refers to a cyst that does not have any worrying features. A borderline cyst is abnormal but is not cancer. It looks like the report could have said that your simple ovarian cyst could be borderline.  

    I do think if there was a concern that this could be a cancer then you would have been referred to the gynaecologist and not have to wait to have a scan done in a few weeks.  For cysts that are not worrying then repeating the scan in a few weeks allows enough time to see if it is still there ( many cysts go away) or if it has got larger.

    In the meantime if you are concerned then you can speak to your GP or another one about this report and what it says.  Also if your symptoms get worse ( even if they do this still does not mean you necessarily have cancer) then do let a GP at your practice know.   

    The NHS has some useful information about ovarian cysts, what they are and how they are treated (if it is needed), you can see it on their website here 

    I hope you will be okay. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline 

Reply

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    There are a few different types of cysts and most will not be due to cancer.

    A simple cyst refers to a cyst that does not have any worrying features. A borderline cyst is abnormal but is not cancer. It looks like the report could have said that your simple ovarian cyst could be borderline.  

    I do think if there was a concern that this could be a cancer then you would have been referred to the gynaecologist and not have to wait to have a scan done in a few weeks.  For cysts that are not worrying then repeating the scan in a few weeks allows enough time to see if it is still there ( many cysts go away) or if it has got larger.

    In the meantime if you are concerned then you can speak to your GP or another one about this report and what it says.  Also if your symptoms get worse ( even if they do this still does not mean you necessarily have cancer) then do let a GP at your practice know.   

    The NHS has some useful information about ovarian cysts, what they are and how they are treated (if it is needed), you can see it on their website here 

    I hope you will be okay. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline 

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