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Cancer > Cervical Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Forum > Should I be concerned about cancer?
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Q: Should I be concerned about cancer?
asked by: DoctorQuestion on September 6th, 2006
I have HPV and i have had my cervix froze once last year. My abnormal cells are back and i am being frozen again. I also have ovarian cysts. I have been on birth control for the past year. about 16 weeks ago i started showing symptoms of ovarian cysts. I have regular periods and in May i started getting cramps about two weeks before my period and i have had them everyday since. My doctor took me off the pill to see if that helped. it hasn't and my pain is getting worse. Now i have swelling in my legs for about a month and a half. my other symptoms include: diahrrea at least 3 times a week up until about a month ago when i started taking a vitamin and it causes me to be constipated for two day then i have diahrrea when i finally go, the edema in both of my legs from toes to hips and moving up my abdomin, bloated, cramps, lower back pain, fatigue. Please help me. Should i be concerned i have cancer?


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Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD
replied on September 11th, 2006
Ovarian Cancer Answer A1476
According to the symptoms and laboratory reports you mention ( HPV , abnormal Pap-test(?), ovarian cysts, cramps, legs swelling, diarrhea, bloated abdomen, lower back pain, fatigue…) it is really hard to say precisely what the problem is. You might be experiencing a few conditions simultaneously that may be or may not be connected to one another.


An abnormal Pap-test and HPV-infection should be taken very seriously because dysplasion may turn into cancer. You have to perform a colposcopy with a cervical biopsy for further evaluation of the cervical lesion.


An ovarian cyst can also cause cycle irregularity , but only if it is hormonally active. Sometimes an ovarian cyst can rupture and then a very urgent condition occurs. The rupture of an ovarian cyst manifests primarily with severe abdominal pain (an “acute abdomen”). Surgical intervention is absolutely necessary in that case. At your age (26), ovarian cysts are usually functional (follicular or luthein) and they usually disappear spontaneously after your period comes. If an ovarian cyst is smaller than 5cm in diameter and doesn’t disappear after 2 menstrual cycles, a laparoscopy is indicated, with a possible laparotomy after that. If an ovarian cyst is larger than 5cm in diameter, surgical removal (laparotomy) is indicated immediately.


Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation and bloated abdomen suggest that you might be experiencing some kind of gastro-intestinal disorder. An abdominal ultrasound and blood analyses (standard blood test plus liver and renal status) may provide us with valuable data for establishing the correct diagnosis.


Swollen legs and lower back pain could indicate anything and I won’t speculate about that before further diagnostic procedures are done.





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