Suspected dermoid cyst

Hi,

An ultrasound scan revealed a 10cm mass covering my right ovary. They’re not exactly sure where it comes from. The radiologist’s report says a suspected dermoid cyst. It’s pretty solid and without vascularisation. There are no ascites and my CA125 is 13.

I was originally quite reassured by all this. However, when I saw the specialist he didn’t really say much about the ultrasound and has referred me for an MRI and further blood tests.

Has anyone else had a similar diagnoses from an ultrasound? Do you know how accurate they are? I’m panicking so much about the MRI and waiting for results.

[Liseeloo]

Hi Frenchy80

Following on from my appointment, I think an MRI is the normal route to follow if the consultant is not quite sure of the origin of the cyst. Your low Ca125 is a positive, 0-35 is normal I understand. Also no vascularities or ascities is also positive.

My Ca125 is high and I have septations in the cyst, but my consultant was pretty positive about a good outcome following removal. I know nothing is certain in life but hold on to those positives and try to not read into what is not said by your consultant. I think they see this sort of thing day in and day out and probably have a good understanding of what is suspicious or not. I have my MRI this Friday and follow up with cons next week where I fully expect to have a surgery plan put in place. I know it's scary, God knows my anxiety was terrible and sky high before I saw my consultant last week, but even after a pretty horrid biopsy and exam, I came away so much more positive by his encouraging words. I don't think they mince their words on something like this, so fingers crossed your consultant is being very thorough in his/her plan. Don't forget, you won't get MRI results the same day. It takes time to read and examine the pictures, so try not to stress about it and take the time in the machine to relax as otherwise they may not get clear pictures.

Keep in touch, let us know how you get on. Try to look on the positives you have because they are positives and potentially very treatable. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Liseeloo]

Hi Lisseeloo,

Been wondering how you got on but didn't like to message. I have to admit i'm not coping at all and feel very anxious- have been given tablets from doctor to help which is making a bit of a difference.

I must say it does help to know people are in the same boat although I'm obviously very sorry for anyone who is going through this.

So you had a biopsy? I saw a specialist but he only asked me questions and felt my stomach as well as referred me for MRI and did more bloods.

I didn't feel like I came away with anymore information or an understanding of what he thinks it may be.

Did you manage to get any further information? Are you worried about the MRI at all- think that may also freak me out a it!

[Liseeloo in reply to Hidden]

Hi Frenchy80

I don't mind you asking at all, don't worry about it. I am a midwife so guess I'm a bit de-sensitised to some medical things and tend to take info in my stride. But I completely get why you are so worried. Like I said I was very anxious last week but am more 'relaxed' about it this week.

I think I had a biopsy because of my very heavy periods and Consultant wants to rule out Endometrial Ca. The Cyst could be causing the bleeding but more likely it's the fibroid they found on the scan. I wonder if I didn't have the heavy bleeding would they have done the biopsy? What it does say is that every case is unique so it might not be appropriate for you to have one too. Ask your consultant when you see him next.

I'm not concerned about the MRI, it doesnt hurt and I'm looking on it as 1/2 hour I can chill lol! Sorry, Dont mean to be flippant, but it's just how I deal with things 😊

I'm not sure if you are the sort of person to do research, but you could ask your Cons/GP for info on Dermoid Cysts. From what I understand, Dermoids can be treated and on the whole have a good outcome, but everyone is different. Ask your GP to explain it some more. Don't be afraid to ask questions, it's your body and you are entitled to know what is going on or suspected. I'm glad you got some medication to help to you relax. Nothing wrong in that.

Push for appointments to discuss results and further care plans. I hope you get more answers soon. Keep in touch xx

[January-2016-UK]

Following my diagnosis my sister got checked out and it was discovered she had a dermis cyst. The normal procedure would hav ebeen to remove just the cyst but because of my diagnosis they removed the ovaries as well. But why was 66 at the time so was spared the surgical menopause symptoms.

It's good your medical team are investigating further. If the new scans still give room for doubt, a biopsy is likely the next step. I had a biopsy as although it seemed clear I had ovarian cancer with a CA-125 of 1250 it wasn't clear what type. Your team will want to be as sure as possible before they make a plan of action.

Good luck. An MRI isn't as bad as it might seem.

[Caravangirl1]

Hi Frenchy, I had an ultrasound in Dec 17 and they picked up a 9cm cyst. I had blood tests which were normal and I had a CT scan followed by an MRI. I had surgery to remove the cyst, an ovary and a tube in July last year and it turned out to be a dermoid cyst. I had some issues with mine and I'm getting monitored every 6 months.

[Hidden in reply to Caravangirl1]

Thank you for your reply.

Do you mind me asking what symptoms you has that made you go in for an ultrasound?

[Caravangirl1]

Ask away lol. I had no symptoms at all. One night i just took a crippling pain in my right side, it was terrible. I went to a&e and they said it was a kidney stone. I sat there vomitting all night and once the pain subsided, they sent me for a CT to see if the stone had passed .. then all hell broke lose because they realised it was a twisted cyst. Fast forward to after surgery and it was a dermoid cyst. Fot it removed with no issues.

[Hidden]

Thank you - did that mean that your surgery happened pretty quickly? Did they suspect a dermoid before the surgery?

[Caravangirl1 in reply to Hidden]

The blood tests were ok so they didn't rush surgery, it was about 6 months later.

[Maus123]

Hi Frenchy. An MRI sounds like a good next step. That said... I get the impression that sometimes, even the medical professionals can't tell the exact nature of such a mass until they operate and send the tissue off to the lab for a detailed analysis.

I hope you learn soon what it is. So far, all the signs seem to be good. All the best. Maus.

[Hidden in reply to Maus123]

Thanks Maus123 - I am prepared (i think) that they may say they don't know what it is/can't be 100% and I know that they sometimes get it wrong.

I am a big worrier by nature and always think the worst so this situation just plays on all my worst fears. I wish that I could be the sort of person who takes things in their stride and thinks about the positives rather than the negatives!