To: Cranky gg re: cyst & C-125

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/28/2002 10:07:00 PM Eastern Standard Time,

gschaumburg@... writes:

> EEEEECCCKKK!!!!!

> I was told that the C-125 test would tell if I had ovarian

> cancer.....perhaps I should research

> further.....my cyst is a baseball-sized " complex " cyst, according to the

> report. I jate to have to be

> so hyper-diligent about all this medical crap but the stats show that

> cranky, demanding patients do

> much better in terms of progneses. sigh and double sigh. gg

>

Dear gg:

I'm not 100% sure, but my recollection about the inaccuracy of C-125 is only

as it pertains to " false positives. " Many of us with fibroids and endo and

benign cysts, and maybe even adenoymyosis will have higher than normal C-125.

I know my reading was very high-- prior to my complex cyst surgery (for a

benign cyst).

The problem is that a higher than average number on C-125 can be indicative

of MANY different things, including-- BUT NOT LIMITED TO ovarian cancer.

If your result was normal (with a cyst and the presence of fibroids), this

should be reasonable, (if not absolute) reassurance that your cyst is NOT

malignant.

Yet most MDs suggest a complex ovarian cyst over 5 cm. be removed, no matter

what, because the likelihood of it going away on its own is remote. It's also

possible that the cyst may increase in size as time goes on, and become more

symptomatic for you.

Is your doctor suggesting you watch and wait with this baseball-sized cyst?

I think it's time to unleash some of that crankiness and do get a second

opinion!

-Roma