3 month follow-up ultrasound after MRI showed a 3.2 cm endometrioma on my ovary
So the background is, I went to urgent care back in March with stomach pains. Doctor thought it was a ruptured appendix, but sent me for a CT scan to verify. Turns out it was diverticulitis, but on the CT scan they noticed a complex cyst on my left ovary, however they couldn't be sure if it was just a fibroid or also a mass.
After an ultrasound, which was still not entirely conclusive, I had an MRI in June, It was there that they said it was a 3.2 cm endometrioma on my left ovary. I had a follow up with the OBGYN the following week who gave me the option of a laparoscopy or, since she thought the chance of cancer was low, a watch and wait scenario with a U/S every 3 months for the next year. If it stays the same or shrinks we can discontinue treatment. I opted for the watch and wait, but over the past 3 months have read so many stories of people who didn't show any signs, things were found as incidentals and after a lap were found to have cancer.
So last week I had my first follow up U/S and it showed the endo remaining the same size, but now there appears to be another one that is 2.9 cm on the right ovary. They also mention that these "communicate along the posterior margin of the uterus" so I'm guessing they somehow connect, which I don't understand if they are on each ovary.
The scan was 5 days ago and I got the results via the portal the following day. The results are marked abnormal and I always get a message from the doctor by at least the next day for abnormal results, but have heard nothing. Probably because several weeks ago I set up a phone appt with her but the earliest she could do that is late this week. Still, I would think she would reply with something.
Anyways, I am still unsure if I should go ahead with the lap. I mean the one remained the same size but now there's another. I have never had any pelvic pain and wouldn't have known about this if it hadn't been caught on the CT. I have had bowel issues since college, over 30 years ago, but have always chalked that up to lactose intolerance or the like. I also have had a lot of leg and lower back back over the past 5 years or so, but got x-rays for that which showed pinched nerves and had a couple of steroid shots which cured that for a couple of months, but now it's back. I know leg, back and bowel issues could be symptoms of endometriosis, but I just don't associate them with that.
So what do you think I should do? I almost feel silly asking for a lap with having no symptoms, but I don't know if they'd find anything more if they went in. I'm sure the OBGYN won't give me any direction and will say it's up to me.
Here are my latest results
Hi
. What a difficult situation. Unfortunately, the image appears so small here that it is unreadable (a problem on our end, not yours), but that is okay because we would not be able to give input about the results anyway. We are not medical experts, so that would be unsafe for you. I don't eny your position, especially since you are not experiencing symptoms, I can tell you, however, that pain levels often are misleading when it comes to endometriosis. Some people can be in stage four with adhesions on multiple organs and have no pain. Others can have only small amounts of endometrial tissue outside their uterus and suffer from debilitating pain. Surgery is still the only way to accurately diagnose endometriosis and assess the situation because the tissue does not always appear on ultrasounds and MRIs. So please do not feel like you are overreacting if you decide on surgery. My daughter's ultrasounds showed only an endometrioma (Hers had torqued the ovary and had landed her in the ER with excruiating pain that resolved when it released.), but the doctor found lots of other tissue during the surgery that might have caused more problems later on. Some people have difficultly recovering from surgery. She was up and walking (slowly and carefully) the next day. No one can tell you what is best for you, which is why the doctor will likely leave the decision in your hands. Maybe it would help to think 6 or 12 months down the road. Imagine yourself not having the surgery or having had the surgery. How do you think you will feel on an emotional level? I wish I could be more help, but feel free to vent here as to struggle with this decision. We are here for you. - Lori (Team Member)
