Abd. Surgery for complex cyst on ovary

I am sitting here post abdominal surgery, by oncolo-gyn, for complex cysts on an ovary that was supposed to have been removed in 2004 during a complete vag. hysterectomy. According to blood work in 2007 I was never in menopause. Following surgery in 2004 I also developed hyperthyroidism(Graves).

I am still awaiting official path-biopsy report from latest surgery. I am thankful that so far there does not seem to be an indication of cancer.  One intern did tell me that during surgery that the ovary had a blood supply to it.  What does it mean that the ovary had blood supply to it? I was told an ovary can not grow back and that there is usually just tissue pieces if it is ORS.  I've been told by several that my first doctor may have missed something during the first surgery since the ovary they just removed was normal size.  However, the first Ob-Gyn's path report indicated ovary tissue from both ovaries.  Does any one have any answers about ovaries that can completely reform or grow back? If ovary did regrow what can keep it from growing back again? Is it possible that my ovary can regrow after this latest surgery?  I do fear ovarian cancer, due to history of cysts/ PCOS, and thought that surgically removing the ovaries would help prevent ovarian cancer.

[Denise L. Johnson, M.D.]

If you have a path report that says you had both ovaries removed, there should not be an ovarian cyst present.  Please sit down with your surgeon and ask for an explanation.

In terms of the abd swelling, that is very common after most surgical procedures in the abdomen, it should clear by 6 weeks.

[nyc lady]

Are you certain that the ovary was removed in 2004, do you have copies of the surgical reports.  A hysterectomy technically only refers to the removal of the uterus, an Oopherectomy/Salpingo is the removal of both the tube and the ovary.

I have what they believe is ORS.  I have had surgery to remove the right ovary/tube in 2000 - stage 1A Ovarian Cancer...and in 2004 they removed the left ovary/tube and uterus....most Ovarian Cysts are benign and a benign cyst will not turn to Ovarian Cancer....with Ovarian Cancer, which is different then other forms of cancer, a cyst, mass or tumor is either cancer or not, it will not change from benign to malignant.  I have a cyst that they have been watching now since March of 2006 to see if there ar any changes....for me, a 3rd surgery at this time isn't an option.  I plan on discussing BC pills with the doctor to see if that will shrink the cyst that I currently have.

I will be curious to see what the doctor on this forum has to say about ORS and surgeries....the more opinions the better we are in gaining knowledge about our bodies.

Best of luck to you.
Pam

[thankfulmom]

Thank you for responding.  Yes, I have copies of everything.  The doctor in 2004 said he removed both ovaries and immediately following surgery placed a hormone patch on me. The 2004 path report says the container that held the left ovary contained less tissue than the right ovary container.  Yes, I assume both Tubes were removed.  I spoke with pathologist this year and found out that he and my first doctor golf together so I hope he is not covering up some sort of mishap.  
I did not know that an ovarian cyst could not change from benign to malignant.  I had to have this last surgery so that they could be sure it was not malignant.  I think this surgery has been harder on me because I worry so about having to have another surgery if this is ORS.  However, I am glad so far they have not identified any malignant cells.  Is your cyst attached to the ovarian remnant?  I too hope that a doctor will come out and explain some of this for us.  I would like to know if I may be facing another surgery or if this ORS makes us more likely to develop Ovarian cancer.  

[thankfulmom]

If a doctor is watching this post I forgot to enter this in my first post- I need to know if it is normal for my stomach to appear larger than prior to surgery?  I think the doctor said I would be slightly swollen but I noticed by end of day I look 3-4 months pregnant.  It has been almost 4 weeks.

[nyc lady]

I have had many conversations with my GYN/ONC regarding having a higher risk for  OvCa with these "remnant cysts"....in my case, with a history of OvCa, the chances of the cyst being malgnant is higher then someone who has not had OvCa...and even then, the odds are low.  OvCa is relatively rare when you think of the number of women vs the number that are diagnosised with the disease.

They believe that my cysts is attached to or near the cervical stump.  The reason that they believe it is an ovarian remnant causing the cyst was because of the massive amount of scar tissue that I developed after my first surgery.  While the GYN/ONC had hoped it was all removed, just one cell can cause problems.

As for the "pregnant" look at the end of the day, you are probably overdoing.....it takes a while for you to heal internally.  I wouldn't worry about your belly being swollen, wait a few more weeks and see what  happens.

Good luck and feel free to post on the Ovarian Cancer, patient to patient forum...there are a lot of great women there, many that do not have cancer but issues with cysts.

Pam

[thankfulmom]

I just wanted to update after I spoke with gyn-onco.  First- I am very Happy and Thankful that there was no cancer this time.  However,  they did find part of the left ovary and fallop. tube that was left behind.  The path report said that it looked like I had a tubal ligat.  which I did not.  It seems like my 1st gyn. got in a hurry.  I hope this 2nd doctor did the job. I am healing slower than before but the only maor complaint I have is this e-coli infection I have in my bladder.

[TroubleMagnet]

A related discussion, ovaries, AGAIN? was started.