15 year old daughter w/softball size dermoid cyst

My daugher is 15.  For almost 2 months we thought she was suffering from a groin strain from drill team. We ran the gammit of doctors and ended up with a Sports Doctor who did and MRI since she wasn't healing.  The MRI detected a cyst on or in her right ovary.  Went to OB/GYN yesterday who did pelvic exam and said the cyst is about the size of a softball and most probably dermoid.  We go for sonogram on Friday morning.  I would just like some answers prior to going to the doctor.  If it is dermoid is the only treatment to have it surgically removed and can it be done with laproscopy or DNC or will it have to be traditional surgery?  Are there any other options I might discuss with the doctor? Due to the size of the cyst is there a possibility she could lose her ovary and if so would she still be able to have children with one ovary?  She has been ordered to continue to lay off dance and drill team until this is resolved.

[Casey06]

I am sorry your daughter has to experience this.

A dermoid, or mature teratoma, is a benign type of ovarian tumor. Dermoids are common, constituting about one-third of all benign ovarian tumors. They are often found in young women. Dermoids rarely become cancerous. Cancer occurs in only 1-2 percent of cases, usually in women over 40. There is a similar tumor called an immature teratoma that is cancerous but rare (accounting for 1 percent of all ovarian cancers). In roughly 10 percent of cases of dermoids, these cysts will be found in both ovaries.

Dermoids often cause no symptoms and are noted as an enlargement of the ovary on a routine pelvic exam. However, they may twist on themselves and cause severe pain, and occasionally they rupture, producing peritonitis, or irritation of the abdominal and pelvic cavity. In order to prevent these complications, it's best to remove dermoids when they are found. The surgery will involve removing the dermoid itself; unless it involves the entire ovary, the rest of the ovary is left behind. The surgeon may use either laparoscopy (surgery using miniature tools through tiny incisions) or an open approach, depending on the size and location of the dermoid as well as the surgeon's skill (this may be the case, since your daughters is quite large),

Removal of a dermoid should not affect her fertility. As long as she has some normal ovarian tissue left -- even if part of both ovaries are removed -- she will still ovulate, and can become pregnant.

Make sure you ahve a very skilled surgeon and I would suggest you consult a gynecologic incologist, not becuae this is cancerous, but becuase they are expert surgeons, especially with removing cysts and tumors. They have 4 more years of training and perform far more of these surgieries than a Ob/Gyn. Don't be afraid of offending your current Ob/Gyn, if they are any good they would agree with having her see a Gyn Onc.

Good luck

[chloe15]

hi i am i just turned 15 like 1 and a1/2 months ago i am a cheer leader and in tenth grade. I went in for a sports physical and they found a lump and i have ahad a cat scan and found it to be a 11 cm dermoid! they said about the size of a small cantalope. I have surgery in a couple weeks the said that they are going to try a lapascopy i hope it works and i am really scared!!

[dini41]

I just recently had a dermoid cyst removed laprascopacly.  I must of had this cyst for a while since I've been in pain for at least a year.  Thank G-d it was removed easily with a recovery period of about a week.  by the way, my cyst was pretty large and they were still able to save the ovary.  Good luck

[Radioz56]

I will keep you all in my prayers My gf had the same thing
God Bless you all hope all is well

sighned
concerned