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MedHelp Member's Question

Biopsy without laparotomy?

by will-not-treat, Jul 20, 2003 12:00AM

Tags: biopsy, laparotomy, ovarian, Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Life, ovaries

There is a very good chance that I have ovarian CA. I have decided not to treat it, however, I would like to know if it is indeed present so that I can get motivated to get my affairs in order and know how to plan the remainder of my life. But it is very important to me not to be opened up completely as I do not want to be healing from an incision during what may be the last months of my life. Is there any way I can get a needle biopsy, or a laparoscopic biopsy? I haven't been able to find any doctor who is willing to do this without opening me. They are all frantic to do an exploratory, and don't understand my position.

Member Comments (6)

by feg918, Jul 20, 2003 12:00AM

I am having both ovaries removed on Thursday 7/24/03,and exploratory surgery, as my gynecologic oncologist suspects a mass I have on my right ovary may be cancer. I would rather face the loss of my ovaries than my life. Perhaps with treatment, you may recover to live a long life. Did your doctor lead you to believe you are terminal? If that is the case, I can see why you don't want to put yourself through surgery needlessly. I would want to know what my chances are with and without surgery. Good luck.

by will-not-treat, Jul 20, 2003 12:00AM

I think it's different for everyone; it depends on your values, on where you're at. In my case, regardless of whether I have ovarian CA or not, and regardless of stage, I simply don't want to spend time recuperating from surgery and definitely don't want to undergo chemotherapy. My lifestyle/mindset doesn't support this kind of medical intervention. I know myself well and I know that I will not be able to deal with living under that kind of stress. I do not fear death, but I most certainly reject the life changes and stresses that would come with extreme intervention. It's not so much "losing the ovaries" as it is the post-interventional lifestyle I would be subjected to. I will choose palliative care when and if the time comes.

by will-not-treat, Jul 20, 2003 12:00AM

I just reread your comment and see that your surgery is in four days. Best of luck to you and my hopes and thoughts are with you for an excellent outcome.

by Patann, Jul 20, 2003 12:00AM

To: Will-not-treat � feg918

I had both chemotherapy and surgery (in Feb. '03) -- eight chemotherapies, and it was hard. But I think both the chemo and the surgery were worth it -- I had a high CA125 and the cancer had spread -- I am now in remission. My doctor had not thought I would go into remission, but I somehow knew I would. I wish you both luck. My time in the hospital was what my surgeon had predicted and I healed rapidly from the surgery. It wasn't all roses and cupcakes by any means. I'm not suggesting that. But for me it has been worth the struggle. The best to you both as you make these decisions.

by will-not-treat, Jul 21, 2003 12:00AM

I may finally get my laparoscopy and/or tap -- I had a CT today and am "filled" with bloody ascitic fluid, HU of 25, from the pelvis up into the abdomen. The left ovarian complex cyst appeared smaller than it did on other imaging modalities a few months ago, so it probably burst. Everything else looked completely normal, except for my enlarged uterus with fibroid. The radiologist who read the CT thinks the fluid can be tapped, so this may give me some information. He also thinks I can get my laparoscopic biopsy, so hopefully I'm getting somewhere now.

by nurse12hr, Jul 22, 2003 12:00AM

To: will-not-treat

Hello

My heart goes out to you, and I am not judging you in any way.

We must all make the best decisions for ourselves that we can.

I pray that you will get the information that you need, and come to peace with what you find.

(I had breast cancer at age 34.  I have recovered well, and live a full, happy life now 10 years later).

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