Cancer Research UK main site

Waiting

Fantail
Offline

I’m 32, recently had an ultrasound as part of fertility investigations and they found a complex cyst which was mobile (I wasn’t given any more information than that). I had the ca125 test which came back as 48 (out of normal range but not particularly high). Next step is an MRI, I’m a braca1 carrier hence why I think things are being taken so seriously.

What is a pelvic MRI like? Is it likely to show conclusive results? I’m pretty anxious and although it’s only a 2 week wait for the scan I don’t know if I can deal with more waiting after that. Thank you for listening! 

I should add that I’ve been having ongoing abdominal pain/ ibs symptoms for some time but always put it down to stress and ignored it.

 

 

  • Offline

    Hi, fantail. 

    I am 22 and this winter I ve had two cysts on my left ovary. Actually, the first doctor said they were two, but then my gyn did an ultrasound too and said it was only one. Both of them are good doctors so this is very annoying, because you can get different opinions, and I do not blame either of them. What I wanted to say was that both of them said it was probably a hemorrhagic cyst, which is a non functional one and a complex cyst, and it requires treatment. Surgery or anticonceptionals to prevent other cysts appearing. My ob gyn put me on AC and said to go back in three months, and if the cyst was still there I should undergo surgery. Mine was almost 5 cm. What made me go to the consult was the fact that my menstruation became irregulary and went crazy. In one month the cyst was gone, turned out to be a functional one! My point is even doctors can be wrong. I didn t have ca125 test but i don t know if you know that this can be raised when you have cysts too. Also, my ob gyn said i was close to endometriosis which can Also cause raised lvls of ca125 (obviously this wasn t the case because mine solved itself).

    Cysts are very common especially in women menstruating. Many of us probably had at least one during our life time and didn t even notice.

    Just wait for further tests and do not jump to any conculsions, especially in this case. And for your question, only surgery/biopsy can give you a concret answer. But most of them resolve within 2 menstruations.

    Let us know what is going on! 

    All the best

  • Offline

    Hi Fantail

    Waiting is very difficult and a stressful time, there’s no doubt about that! I’m having a pelvic MRI on Thursday this week and as I’ve had one before I can let you know what it’s like. First thing is...it’s noisy, very noisy! But you will be given headphones which help. I am claustrophobic, but a pelvic mri doesn’t involve your whole body being in the machine. Your head will be outside of it, and I was offered an eye mask, which I did use. It took about 30 minutes, and the radiographers can talk to you while you’re having it done/ check that you’re ok.  They can hear you if you speak too. I felt the table sort of thud at one point in the process for a few minutes which was a weird sensation.

    You need to lie still which can be a little uncomfortable after a while as you can get stiff,  but I tried to think of other, more pleasant things like being on a beach somewhere warm! Hope you find it all ok and don’t have too long to wait for your results. 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.