If you have an ovarian cyst, you may be wondering if it means you have cancer. The good news for the majority of women is that an ovarian cyst does not mean cancer. However, there are a few symptoms that make ovarian cancer slightly more likely.
The problem with ovarian cancer is that it is almost never detected until it is widespread. There are very few symptoms of ovarian cancer; those that do occur mimic other diseases. The first symptom in most cases is an irregular menstrual period. As the disease progresses, you develop abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes a mass you can feel.
That is why, when doctors discover a cyst that has certain characteristics, they almost always recommend surgery. These types of cysts include any cyst that is a solid or partially solid mass instead of fluid filled, or a cyst that is septated, or divided into different compartments. A surgical biopsy of the cyst is the only way to be absolutely sure that there is ovarian cancer. When a biopsy is done, only 1 out of a 1000 cases end up being cancer. However, there are a few tests that can indicate a higher chance of cancer, including a brand new blood test.
You should always ask your doctor to do these additional tests before you agree to surgery. You can get a test for CA-125. Higher levels of this chemical indicates a greater likelihood of ovarian cancer. You can also ask for an ultrasound using doppler technology, which allows a doctor to better see a cyst's makeup. There is also CT imaging, which allows the doctor to see if the cyst is spreading to other organs.
Just approved in September 2009, the OVA1 test measures five different proteins that change because of ovarian cancer. The blood test combines the results of all five into a score that indicates the likelihood of ovarian cancer. It's definitely a test you should ask for if you think your doctor thinks your cyst may be cancerous.
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