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Ovarian Cancer (Expert Forum)
A number of female issues
Answered by
Annekathryn Goodman, M.D. - Gynecologic Cancers, Complex Gynecologic, Surgeries, Palliative Care, Acupuncture
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding ovarian cancer issues, such as: Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, Genetics, Hysterectomy,Immunotherapy, Ovarian Cancer Types, Radiation Therapy, Risk Factors, Screening, Staging, Surgery.
A number of female issues
by HELPME0101, Jun 18, 2007 12:00AM
I am 23 years old and I would say the issues started when I was 16. 3 years ago I had my first Laparoscopy and they told me I had endometriosis and re occuring ovarian cysts. The endometriosis was removed and I was alright after that surgery. In 2006 I had twins, which were naturally conceived (no IVF). Then a couple of monthes after I had them I had another Laparoscopy because of abdominal pain. This one showed the endometriosis and they removed it once again. I was alright for about a month or so after this surgery. Then I started having REALLY bad pelvic pain once again. So I decided to go get another opinion as to what is going on. This doctor wanted to do another laparoscopy to see what was going on. This one was done about 6 monthes after the last one. In this one she had found an ovarian cyst double the size of my ovary, a hole in the bottom part of my uterius and endometriosis. Everything was fixed and she had also tied my tubes. I was never pain free after this surgery.
Doctor's Answer
by Annekathryn Goodman, M.D., Jun 18, 2007 12:00AM
, Jun 18, 2007 12:00AM
Hi there,
If your pain is all from endometriosis, there are two options:
medical - go on Lupron to shut off your ovaries and see f the pain improves
or surgical : remove the uterus and ovaries to remove the source of endometriosis.
I would recommend option one just to make sure that your pain is from endometriosis. If you still have pain after 3 months of lupron, your pain is not from endometriosis. then you need to be evaluated for what other reasons there are for your pain such such, infection, scar tissue, bladder or bowel problems
take care
If your pain is all from endometriosis, there are two options:
medical - go on Lupron to shut off your ovaries and see f the pain improves
or surgical : remove the uterus and ovaries to remove the source of endometriosis.
I would recommend option one just to make sure that your pain is from endometriosis. If you still have pain after 3 months of lupron, your pain is not from endometriosis. then you need to be evaluated for what other reasons there are for your pain such such, infection, scar tissue, bladder or bowel problems
take care
You are very young to consider a hysterectomy. I think it is really important for your doctor to understand what is causing the pain.
As i said before, if it is endometriosis, trying lupron will help. lupron is a medication that shuts down the ovarian production of hormones. it is the estrogen that stimulates the growth of endometriosis.. Lupron will also stop the periods. if lupron works, then you can be shifted over to the birth control pill which will keep your periods light.
You should also ask your doctor about how to manage pain. if you have sever pain and it is not from endometriosis, it will be important top explore options for managing pain. tehre are many options aside of pain medicine including biofeedback and acupucnture.
best wishes