Ovarian Complications

[jenn888]

I am a 29 year old Female. I had my uterus removed in 2005. This past February, I had a 10.5 cm complex ovarian tumor removed. The gyno/onc told me that it was benign but a borderline case. The tumor was attached to everything (bladder, colon, both ovaries, vaginal cuff). Both ovaries were removed. Back in June, I started having some cramping on my left side again. When I asked my gyno/onc if my tumor could come back, he told me I had a type that can, and it can be cancerous if it comes back. He ordered a CT scan. I got the results for my CT in late July when visiting his office. My doc was seeing 43 patients that day and told me the CT was normal- that it showed several cyst but they are normal after surgery. My symptoms have been increasing. I am having sharp menstrual like cramping on the left side, change in bowl habits, nausea, lower back pain, sometimes pain with intercourse, water retention and weakness. I have kidney stone problems, so I went to the urologist for my annual visit and he pulled my CT scan. He printed it off for me. It showed two cyst one on each ovary. One is 2.5 cm and the other 3.5 cm. Both of my ovaries were removed back in February. I went back to my regular gyno, and he has ordered a vaginal ultrasound which I am having on Wed. He is wanting me to go back the gyno/onc. I do not feel comfortable doing this because of the way the doctor acts. Everytime I try and tell him my symptoms he tells me I am too young to have ovarian cancer and accuses me of being on the internet too much (by the way this is the FIRST time I have tried to research anything). Should I be worried? What kind of doctor do I need to see? I am told a gasterologist, etc. I feel like I keep trying to be pushed off onto the next person. I am ready to give up except when I am cramping it hurts really bad. When the gyno did a pelvic exam on Friday, he said he did not feel any masses. Can I have ovarian cyst without ovaries? What kind of doctor should I be seeing?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Jenn

This  can be very complicated. You have been through alot and had alot of surgery.  There is something called ovarian remnant syndrome. The ovaries have been removed but a few microscopic cells left behind grow back into painful cysts. At your age checking hormone levels will determine if you have ovarian tissue. t is also important to check CA 125 level as well.
If you are frustrated with your gynonc , you have 2 options: find someone new or reschedule an apt with him. bring a friend.And tell him how you feel. Alot of times we (doctors ) need feedback.We get busy and rushed.I am always grateful when someone has the courage to give me feedback. It helps me do a better job
best wishes

[jenn888]

Thank you so much for your advice! It is very frustrating and discouraging when the doctors start making you feel like you are wasting their time. The gyno oncologist I have been seeing never really explains anything in detail. I feel like I just get bits and pieces along the way. The only thing I know about the orginial tumor is that the radiologist report from the utlra sound showed every indicator for malignancy. When I got to the gyno-onc, he blew the radiologist report off by saying radiologist over react, and again my age makes it okay. After removing it, as I stated before, it was attached and had to be cut away from other organs (colon, bladder, etc). The path report said it was benign, but the doctor said that the pathologist would never say 100% that it was benign; that I had a tumor that could come back and be malignant. He did admit that it was more serious than he anticipated. However, now I feel like he is blowing me off. Is it normal to have cyst after a surgery? Is it possible to have ovarian cyst with no ovaries? The regular gyno said that the CT didn't show the cyst there now to be complex ones. Now he is sending me for the ultra sound. Is an ultra sound more percise than a CT?