24 cm Ovarian cyst

[Indiangirl7]

Hello,

I was recently diagnosed with a 24 cms Ovarian cyst. I am yet to get a MRI done. My doctor has told that I need to go for a surgical treatment but has not told me any details on this. He says he does not know whether it is benign or malignant. He has not discussed any more details on this and the wait is scaring me.
Can anyone let me know if they had this big Ovarian cyst and what was the treatment they have received? Is this malignant? Can it be Ovarian Cancer?

Thank you.

[lavender2]

My cyst was 17 cm and turned out to be malignant.  Fortunately I had been referred to a gynecological oncologist for the surgery.  Please insist on it.  A gynecological oncologist will go a "complete staging" if it is malignant - making sure every necessary is removed and tested.  That will give you the best prognosis if it is malignant.  

That waiting period is very hard.  I waited about six weeks from learning about the cyst to surgery, and it was a very difficult time.

I recommend pestering your doctor about the details, and for an immediate referral to a gynecological oncologist.   You are your own best advocate.  

[WildFlower84]

My tumor was 12 cm and I was told because of the size it had to come out...They had to perform a laparotomy (which was a bikini cut that was about 8 inches long) on me due to the size. They didn't know whether mine was malignant or benign until the day of my surgery. My tumor turned out to be borderline malignant.

They also performed a CA-125 blood test on me.

I did not see a gynecologist oncologist until 1 month after my surgery...from my experience I recommend you see a gynecologist oncologist and have them perform your surgery. This will give them the opportunity to take a better look at everything!

I hope this has helped! I know how you must feel...there is a lot of waiting! I am the most impatient person and it has been a battle waiting for my phone to ring!  I am sending you good thoughts and prayers your way!

Wildflower

[Plonanon]

My tumor was 9 cm. and I was told that it had to come out, whether it was benign or malignant. That is because it was so large. If yours is 24 cm. then it will definitely have to come out because of its size.

Before my surgery I had several ultrasounds, and they were unable to tell from the ultrasounds whether it was cancer or not. During surgery they did a biopsy (frozen section, it is called) and it turned out to be malignant.

Where are you located? You should have a gynecologic oncologist do the surgery. These are doctors trained in both gynecology and oncology, and they are the only doctors who are trained to operate on women who have--or who may have--cancer. How long will it be until your surgery?