Ovarian cysts, tamoxifen, ovarian cancer?

Do you mean your cyst was 2cm? A 20cm cyst is approximately the same as a baby about half way in pregnancy. It was my understanding that tamoxifen may cause endometrial thickening and slight increase in uterine cancer. I was not aware that there was any correlation to ovarian issues with tamoxifen. But my GYN onc told me that when you start Tamoxifen the ovaries go through an estrogen flare. But that surge happens only in the beginning and I assume you have been on tamoxifen for a while. How did they find the cysts, were they giving you any symptoms?

The other thing to think about is that many women have cyclical ovarian cysts that develop and resolve without any symptoms and are unaware of them because there was no need to do any imaging of the area.

If your doc is one to do regular checks while you are on Tamoxifen (my gyn does not for pre-menopaual women unless there are unusual symptoms), then you might be more likely to find things that may have been there all along and are not necessarily due to the Tamoxifen.

Yes Annette, I think you are absolutely right. These things are probably going on in regular women without BC history and Tamoxifen and why go poking around looking for trouble unless you have a very good reason to poke around. I need my ovaries out since I'm BRCA1 and got the process started with the GYN onc but he made me wait until I finished breast reconstruction, but I was surprised that he did not even send me for any tests, he only told me to come back sooner if I develop any symptoms. He only asked when my last pap was and if I had a baseline US.

I had ovarian cysts problems prior to Tamoxifen. They always come & go. I had fibroids prior to tamoxifen. They remain unchanged. The reason I get ultrasounds & further tests is because of thickened lining & funky uterine bleeding. I keep growing polyps & that is believed to be the cause. Lo & behold, they find one of those pesky cysts. 20 cm is a very large. My largest was 12cm before BC  & it resolved on it's own. After BC my largest has been 4.5cm & it also resolved on it's own.

The GYN brought up the idea of a hysterectomy after my 2nd hysteroscopy/polypectomy/D&C. My main reason for not doing a hysterectomy is that the hysteroscopy/polypectomy/D&C is an easy surgery for me. No real down time. A hysterectomy will require time in the hospital & time to heal.

I saw a urologist last week & asked her about hysterectomy caused bladder problems I read about. She said the incidence of the bladder dropping(cystocele) is 10% following a hysterectomy. She said if it were her she "wouldn't do it".

It's possible that precancerous or cancerous changes will happen in my uterus & that will force the issue. Perhaps I'll kick myself for not getting the hysterectomy sooner.