Expert: Norman Solberg - 12/5/2011

Question
I'm 52, went through menopause last year and am currently taking HRT (Enjuvia daily w/Prometrium 12 days per month).

Two months ago I had a CT done for kidney stones and the findings included a 2.5-cm cystic appearing lesion right adnexa. My GYN ordered an ultrasound a month later. When I called for the results I was told that it appeared to be a simple cyst that had not gotten any larger and I am to return for a pelvic exam next May.

Of course my fear is that it might be cancer so I'm feeling a bit anxious. Are there any other tests that need to be done or is this just a case where one has to wait and see if it changes or goes away?

Thank you so very much for your time.

Answer
The only real test to make sure it's not cancer is to take it out surgically and look at it with a microscope.  Much unnecessary surgery has been done because of cysts found on various scans.  Since your cyst looks benign and didn't change over 1 month, it's almost certainly a benign cyst.  The only test that I might recommend would be another ultrasound in about 2 months, just to be sure it's not changing.  If that one looks the same, that would confirm that the cyst is benign.