Ovarian Cysts only 2 months after starting Tamoxifen?

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ForHisGlory
ForHisGlory Member Posts: 64
edited March 2015 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I have a history of Ovarian cysts all my life. I had my right ovary removed several years ago due to all the scar tissue and cysts through the years. I started Tamoxifen and last month no problems, this month around ovulation time I started feeling the twinges of a cyst on my left side. So at my MO appointment I mentioned it and she ordered a Pelvic ultrasound. I also have a small fibroid, and have had uterine ablation, so I am very interested in knowing my status with all these things early on into my Tamoxifen treatment. I am currently waiting the results of the ultrasound, but could see that there are at least two large cysts on my left ovary. The ultrasound tech would not let me see the screen very often and wouldn't tell me anything! I am just not excited to be dealing with these every month if they are caused by the Tamoxifen, but what are my alternatives? Ovarian suppression? Removing the Ovary (I have anesthesia complications which scare me to have more surgery) or just stop taking the Tamoxifen and live with that risk? UGH!!!!! Please share any personal experiences with cysts and what you all decided to do. I'm only 43 and am not really excited to jump into menopause! I start a new job next week, and would love to focus on that instead of all this! Thanks in advance!!


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  • scvmom65
    scvmom65 Member Posts: 88
    edited March 2015

    Hi Forhisglory,


    I took Tamoxifen for almost 2 years and had never had cysts before. However, 2 years before that I had a large fibroid that require my uterus to be removed because it was so large and on the outside. I started having uncomfortable pain so I went to the gyno and had an ultrasound. I had over 20 cysts between my 2 ovaries. For me, I did not get to make a decision. I was told by my gyno that I was having a side effect from Tamoxifen so they had to be removed. I was given the option after my DX to chose ovary removal or Tamox and I chose Tamox because I did not want another surgery and I was told the Tamox would help with bone loss. Hopefully you only have 2 cysts and maybe they can take a wait and see approach since it sounds like you don't do well with surgery.

    Anna

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  • Mabs
    Mabs Member Posts: 36
    edited March 2015

    I had ovarian cysts only 1 month after starting tamoxifen... It was a very dificult time because it was like a complex cyst ain the ultrasound, but in the end it was not (mri showed) and disapeared alone... Tamoxifen is growing my estradiol to very very hugh levels instead of lowering it... So I am changing to OS+aromasin... Afraid of menopause too...

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  • ForHisGlory
    ForHisGlory Member Posts: 64
    edited March 2015

    wow 20 cysts! scvmom65. And here I am grumbling from the pain of 2!

    mabs maybe my story will be like yours? I was told today that one cyst is complex and needs to be watched. My gynecologist recommended just repeating the ultrasound in 6 weeks and call if the pain gets severe, but my MO wants me to see a gynecology oncologist and make sure. So I will schedule that appointment. Apparently my ovary has doubled in size?

    I'm afraid the rest of our lives we will be ruling out cancer with every symptom, but better be safe than sorry!

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited March 2015

    I've had ovarian cysts prior to BC. Since starting tamoxifen, an ovarian cyst has been found twice on my routine US. I resolved both with wait & see approach. I have been offered "get everything out". Because I'm also a endometrial polyp grower. Just don't want another major surgery. I was never offered just an oomph

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  • Dancermom1999
    Dancermom1999 Member Posts: 122
    edited March 2015

    After 9 months on Tamoxifen I developed a 2cm cyst on left ovary, a 1 cm fibroid and uterine lining thickening to 1 cm - not good.  Had a laparascopic total hysterectomy in Oct. and it was the best decision I made.  Am now on anastrozole and no longer have the fear of ovarian or uterine cancer. 

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  • Mabs
    Mabs Member Posts: 36
    edited March 2015

    Forhisglory, it was exactly what happened to me... My ovary was 2x normal size... After 3 months it was gone... Hope it will be the same for you...

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