Aa
New here - I have some questions
I am not quite sure where to post this, so here it goes.
A few weeks ago I had my yearly Pap test. This came back normal. My Gyn doctor sent me for a transvaginal because I've been complaining of constant stomach pain. Here are the results of my transvaginal :
The uterus measures about 9.4 cm in its greatest length. The endometrium measures 9 mm in thickness. There is a small, well circumscribed anechoic area in the region of uterine cervix measuring about 8.1 mm in its greatest dimension. It shows enhanced through transmission. No other masses are identified pertaining to myometrium.
The left ovary measures 5.56 cm x 3.42 cm x 4.15 cm. It also contains a well circumscribed oval shaped cyst within it. This cyst measures about 3.9 cm in its greatest dimension. It shows enhanced through transmission.
The right ovary measures 2.81 cm x 1.61 cm x 2.4 cm. It also contains a well circumscribed anechoic mass within it. It measures about 2.1 cm in its greatest dimension. It shows enhanced through transmission. No other adnexal masses are identified. There is no free fluid in pelvis.
My Gyn doctor discussed all of this with me, but I seem to be stumped on what to actually do. He gave me 3 options :
1) To have a D&C every 3 - 6 months and another transvaginal (also every 3 - 6 months).
2) Take BCP to shrink the cysts, but he said in the same sentence that this is really NOT an option for me because I have a history of blood clots.
3) To have a LAV hysterectomy - which would eliminate 'most' of my problems.
I am 46 years old and going through Peri-menopause. I've already had 2 children.
My question is this. I know it's a really dumb question to ask in a forum, but I am leaning towards a Hysto. What would your opinion on this be? I mean I am assuming there are others here that have had a Hysto. IF I decide, I don't want to take Estrogen. I will be taking nothing. I was wondering how other women feel (as in health wise) when not on HT?
I would also like to know - how to get screened for ovarian cancer? I have heard of the CA-125 blood test, but none of my doctors will do this. I did ask my Gyn when we were discussing the results if any of this could be ovarian cancer and he said no that I was checked for that. I am still NOT convinced. I don't believe a transvaginal can 'detect' cancer.
Oh! I did forget to mention what the doctor that read my results said about the cysts.
He said 1) Bilateral ovarian cysts as described. Whereas they may represent follicular cysts, the differential includes endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Clinical correlation is necessary.
So far I haven't been treated for any thing! I have no idea WHERE the PID came from - this is a mystery to me. Sorry, just venting about that one ;-)
Thanks
A few weeks ago I had my yearly Pap test. This came back normal. My Gyn doctor sent me for a transvaginal because I've been complaining of constant stomach pain. Here are the results of my transvaginal :
The uterus measures about 9.4 cm in its greatest length. The endometrium measures 9 mm in thickness. There is a small, well circumscribed anechoic area in the region of uterine cervix measuring about 8.1 mm in its greatest dimension. It shows enhanced through transmission. No other masses are identified pertaining to myometrium.
The left ovary measures 5.56 cm x 3.42 cm x 4.15 cm. It also contains a well circumscribed oval shaped cyst within it. This cyst measures about 3.9 cm in its greatest dimension. It shows enhanced through transmission.
The right ovary measures 2.81 cm x 1.61 cm x 2.4 cm. It also contains a well circumscribed anechoic mass within it. It measures about 2.1 cm in its greatest dimension. It shows enhanced through transmission. No other adnexal masses are identified. There is no free fluid in pelvis.
My Gyn doctor discussed all of this with me, but I seem to be stumped on what to actually do. He gave me 3 options :
1) To have a D&C every 3 - 6 months and another transvaginal (also every 3 - 6 months).
2) Take BCP to shrink the cysts, but he said in the same sentence that this is really NOT an option for me because I have a history of blood clots.
3) To have a LAV hysterectomy - which would eliminate 'most' of my problems.
I am 46 years old and going through Peri-menopause. I've already had 2 children.
My question is this. I know it's a really dumb question to ask in a forum, but I am leaning towards a Hysto. What would your opinion on this be? I mean I am assuming there are others here that have had a Hysto. IF I decide, I don't want to take Estrogen. I will be taking nothing. I was wondering how other women feel (as in health wise) when not on HT?
I would also like to know - how to get screened for ovarian cancer? I have heard of the CA-125 blood test, but none of my doctors will do this. I did ask my Gyn when we were discussing the results if any of this could be ovarian cancer and he said no that I was checked for that. I am still NOT convinced. I don't believe a transvaginal can 'detect' cancer.
Oh! I did forget to mention what the doctor that read my results said about the cysts.
He said 1) Bilateral ovarian cysts as described. Whereas they may represent follicular cysts, the differential includes endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Clinical correlation is necessary.
So far I haven't been treated for any thing! I have no idea WHERE the PID came from - this is a mystery to me. Sorry, just venting about that one ;-)
Thanks
Here in the UK, I am currently being tested to see if I carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. I have been told that it will take 2 months to carry out the test so I am expecting to hear the results just after Christmas.
Best wishes
Kate in the UK
Best wishes
Kate in the UK
Do you know how long after testing for the BRCA gene, how long it takes to get the results back?
I am concerned that your doctor is not giving you all of the proper information. You have a "high risk" of Ovarian Cancer.....have you been BRCA gene tested? That is the only way of knowing if you are at a higher risk of OvCa and then the risk increases by 40 percent and then the risk for breast cancer is also increased. Having a first line family relative (mother, father or sibling) that has been diagnosised with OvCa, Breast or Colon Cancer will only increase your risk by 10 percent. Also, Ovarian Cancer is different, a benign cyst will not turn cancerous...if it is benign, it will stay benign.
I know of many woman with Ovarian Cancer that have daughters, many of them BRCA gene tested, the GYN/ONC does not suggest a BSO for women that do not test BRCA positive. Many women that do test positive will then have BSOs and mastectomies because the risk is that much higher.
I get very passionate when I hear doctors not providing the proper information and counseling to patients regarding OvCa, it is the silent killer and so often does go mis-diagnosised because doctors, even OB/GYNs are not educated in this disease.
I am not suggesting not to remove your "good" ovary, that is a personal decision. I have gone thru two major sugeries, with a 9 1/2 inch vertical incision to prove it, twice because I was able to keep my "good" ovary for 3.5 years after being diagnosised with Stage 1A, they watched me very closely and at the first sign of any type of cyst or change in cyst I went for surger..for me it was worth the extra surgery. Our ovaries do serve a function.
If you are at a "high" risk for OvCa then you are probably at a high risk for Breast Cancer, assuming that the risk is based on BRCA gene mutations, then taking hormones can be a big deal. If you feel that you are at a higher risk for some reason then why not see a GYN/ONC and discuss all of this with them, family history, your risk, genetic testing, etc.
Ovarian Cancer is a rare disease, approximately 23,000 women will be diagnosised this year in the United States. It is a scary disease, and one that everyone needs to be educated on because education can lead to early detection and early detection is the best defense against this disease.
Good luck to you and everyone else with your surgeries, I just felt that being on an OvCa forum, you should be aware of the facts.
I know of many woman with Ovarian Cancer that have daughters, many of them BRCA gene tested, the GYN/ONC does not suggest a BSO for women that do not test BRCA positive. Many women that do test positive will then have BSOs and mastectomies because the risk is that much higher.
I get very passionate when I hear doctors not providing the proper information and counseling to patients regarding OvCa, it is the silent killer and so often does go mis-diagnosised because doctors, even OB/GYNs are not educated in this disease.
I am not suggesting not to remove your "good" ovary, that is a personal decision. I have gone thru two major sugeries, with a 9 1/2 inch vertical incision to prove it, twice because I was able to keep my "good" ovary for 3.5 years after being diagnosised with Stage 1A, they watched me very closely and at the first sign of any type of cyst or change in cyst I went for surger..for me it was worth the extra surgery. Our ovaries do serve a function.
If you are at a "high" risk for OvCa then you are probably at a high risk for Breast Cancer, assuming that the risk is based on BRCA gene mutations, then taking hormones can be a big deal. If you feel that you are at a higher risk for some reason then why not see a GYN/ONC and discuss all of this with them, family history, your risk, genetic testing, etc.
Ovarian Cancer is a rare disease, approximately 23,000 women will be diagnosised this year in the United States. It is a scary disease, and one that everyone needs to be educated on because education can lead to early detection and early detection is the best defense against this disease.
Good luck to you and everyone else with your surgeries, I just felt that being on an OvCa forum, you should be aware of the facts.
Sharon, When discussing the laparoscopy with my gyncologist, she said that if the other ovary had problems, she would take it out. and when I discussed the high risk of OC since it was in my family, she said even if the ovary was healthy, it would be my decision if I wanted her to take out the ovary. and after doing a LOT OF RESEARCH..lol...believe me, I've inquired, searched the internet, etc. and my conclusion, is this, take out the other ovary. I only have cysts, two of them, both on the left ovary. So far the right one is healthy unless she finds something when she goes in. But my research shows the probability is pretty high with another cyst forming later on the other ovary. So why do the laparoscopy again and also with the high family risk of OC, why chance it. I've never had any surgery yet and this will be my first. My family friend that is a general practictioner, who is very good, says that taking hormones is no big deal. So will probably go ahead and take the hormones to be on the safe side. I will email you later as I'm on the way to work. and we can keep in touch.
what the problem is is that most all of the posts are measured in centimeters cm yours are done in milli meters mm there are 10 mm in a cm so take 10 into each of your measurements and you can compare that way If the doctor is doing it by scope you can believe they are small enough to go through tiny 1 inch incisions.
...my doctor said she would have to make THREE incisions on my abdomen...two ABOVE the bikini line and one below, she never mentioned a vaginal removal..why is that??
I just submitted my first post called "do I have ovarian cancer??!!??" if anyone can help me on that one. But what REALLY prompted me to comment on this one is when you went into such detail about your ovary sizes etc. Compared to yours, mine are MONSTEROUS!! . My stats are as follows:
It's Length, Height, Width in MM the volume is in ML
Uterus................... 86.74mm...........46.73mm..........58.10mm........123.16ml
Left ovary.............. .39.51mm...........16.85mm..........21.48mm.........7.48 ml
Right ovary............. 46.59mm...........33.84mm..........45.20mm........37.27ml
Your thoughts? I'm actually pretty concerned now since mine are DOUBLE digits!!
It's Length, Height, Width in MM the volume is in ML
Uterus................... 86.74mm...........46.73mm..........58.10mm........123.16ml
Left ovary.............. .39.51mm...........16.85mm..........21.48mm.........7.48 ml
Right ovary............. 46.59mm...........33.84mm..........45.20mm........37.27ml
Your thoughts? I'm actually pretty concerned now since mine are DOUBLE digits!!
I really don't understand why they are so negative. One told me that I will end up with horrible hot flashes and will start losing bone density. The way I look at it is I will be going through Menopause in a couple of years anyways, so it will only be a couple of years sooner. I just don't understand them sometimes - at least they don't have any female problems like you or I or any other women in this forum.
My doctor wants to take it out vaginally as well. I heard it's a quicker recovery.
My doctor wants to take it out vaginally as well. I heard it's a quicker recovery.
It is a small world, isn't it! I don't understand why your doctor hasn't talked with you about that if you have a family history of ovarian cancer. I wonder what a gyno/onc would be recommending in your situation. Do you have cysts on both ovaries? My email address is the same name I use here with gmail.com. Please keep me posted as to how your surgery goes and I will do the same.
Twilight - I wonder why you have been met with the negative feedback regarding hystos - when they're medically necessary and you aren't wanting to have more children, then it only makes sense to have them removed if the risk outweighs the benefit. Know what I mean? When I had my uterus removed at age 28 I could not believe how good I felt afterward - I had lived with the pain forever and had assumed it was normal. Fortunately I had my 3 children and it was an easy choice for me. I had a laporoscopy first and the Dr. said it was abnormal - I went back in and he took it out vaginally and until now I haven't had any gyno problems.
Please keep me posted :-)
Twilight - I wonder why you have been met with the negative feedback regarding hystos - when they're medically necessary and you aren't wanting to have more children, then it only makes sense to have them removed if the risk outweighs the benefit. Know what I mean? When I had my uterus removed at age 28 I could not believe how good I felt afterward - I had lived with the pain forever and had assumed it was normal. Fortunately I had my 3 children and it was an easy choice for me. I had a laporoscopy first and the Dr. said it was abnormal - I went back in and he took it out vaginally and until now I haven't had any gyno problems.
Please keep me posted :-)
Good luck with your surgery! You and PDXSharon will be in my thoughts *hugs*
I am 45 and I am having a Laparoscopy to have my Left Ovary removed on Dec 6 also, same day as you, due to 2 very large cysts, one the size of a softball and the other size of a baseball. After doing research on here, I am thinking of telling my gynco when she does the surgery, to take the other ovary out, due to high risk of family history of ovarian cancer.
I think that is what I'll do is find a Gyn/Onc doctor. I live in a small town so I am not sure if I will find one close, but I will try.
To be honest with everyone, I am learning towards the Hysto simply because I don't want to take a chance at anything.
You would not believe the negative feedback I get from friends about a Hysto. I don't know why they are so against this :-(
To be honest with everyone, I am learning towards the Hysto simply because I don't want to take a chance at anything.
You would not believe the negative feedback I get from friends about a Hysto. I don't know why they are so against this :-(
The first thing I did after I found out I had these cysts was "Google" my symptoms and it brought me here. I didn't have an ob/gyn - I only had a GP all these years, and she said I needed to find a gynecologist. After landing here, sharing my story and reading the other stories, I learned quickly that the person I needed to find was a gyno/onc - and that is exactly what I did. He is prepared to handle anything he may find once he gets inside, and that is a comfort to me. He told me the only way to know what a mass is is to remove it. There is no 100% way to know with these things are without taking them out and having them examined. Now, of course you can play the odds and review all the test results and make an educated assumption, but in the end I found that even though the probability is slim that it's bad, it's a chance I'm not willing to take. Not at my age and not with these symptoms. He said surgery was more than reasonable and the only part he said was not reasonable was when I asked him to save at least one ovary...he said no to that idea and told me they would only cause me more problems in the future than they are worth at this age. So...we have a plan and I have a doctor I know can handle whatever it turns out to be. Please, if you are not satisfied with how things are happening with you - don't stop until you are. I will stay in touch. Let me know how things work out for you :-)
I don't understand why the D&C every 3 to 6 months? are you having heavy periods? You have a cyst in both ovaries, because you are peri-menopausal, that may be the reason they are not recommending the CA 125. Take yourself to a Gyn/Onc for a second opinion especially if you are not confident in your current Gyn. Good luck
Thank you so much Sharon! It is really nice to know I can get answers here :-)
Please let me know how the surgery goes!
Please let me know how the surgery goes!
I think he was going by finding no fluid in the pelvis. Which I don't believe this can always work because there are other reasons if fluid was found in the pelvis, such as a ruptured cyst? I also think he is determining this by the results and how the radiologist didn't say anything about characteristics of cancer.
My Gyn says he will do the surgery, but I am not really that confident with him doing it. He just seems to be not as concerned as I am.
My Gyn says he will do the surgery, but I am not really that confident with him doing it. He just seems to be not as concerned as I am.
I'm 47 and will be having my ovaries removed on December 6th, so I'll let you know how it goes :-) I'm currently having no symptoms of menopause whatsoever...and I don't want HRT either. I had my uterus removed at age 28 due to adenomyosis. I have a cyst on each ovary, one also has a solid mass. I'm sure many of the ladies here will know more about what your specific results mean than I would, and I'm sure you will find their input helpful. They have been instrumental in lighting my pathway through this stuff. Best to you!
Ask your doctor "Just how was I checked for ovarian cancer, and how in the world can you determine its not?" No one can tell you 100% for sure its not or is ovarian cancer without surgery and biopsy. TVUS can detect cysts and let the doctors know if it has characteristics of cancer. You would benefit seeing a gyn/oncologist. Not saying its cancer, but they are the best experienced for this situation.
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