Aa
Ovarian cyst-recurrent cancer, surgery and gyn cancer questions
Hello. I am 27 yrs old and had a 13cm tumor removed and a RSO in October of 2005, 3 1/2 months after my son was born. The surgery was done by an OBGYN and an oncologist. The closest gyn/onc is over 1 1/2 hours away and I realized they existed prior to surgery. After surgery, I consulted with several gyn/onc and had several different path. opinions. Immature teratoma Stage 3A Some path. said all was grade 1, others said grade 2. Some gyn/onc recommended chemo, others said monitoring would be okay. I chose not to do chemo. I have been going to the OBGYN who did the surgery for follow-up, but consult w/ gyn/onc, too. Last Feb. I had a 6cm cyst on my ovary that shrunk and eventually dissolved by May w/ no intervention. In Sept. they found a 2cm cyst and a high grade cervical lesion. My CA-125 was normal, but CA-19.9 was at 40. Both were at 295 at the time of my surgery. I had another tv u/s in Oct. and the cyst had slightly shrunk. My CA-125 was normal and the CA-19.9 was 32. I had a LEEP procedure almost a month ago. I just had another tv u/s. It now shows 2 cysts. The largest being 4.1cm, but both together measure over 7cm. CA-125 is at 10, but CA-19.9 is at 38. My OBGYN wants me to have laproscopic surgery. Should I let him do the surgery, or should I have a gyn/onc do it? Likeliness of cancer? Why do I develop cysts on bc pills? Why do I seem to be susceptible to gyn cancers? My husband and I have only ever slept w/ each other, yet I have HPV. I really want more children. How can I get my ovary healthy to conceive again?Is it safe to wait to see if this cyst shrinks? Thanks
Thank you for bringing some clarity to me. I do want to point out that after re-reading what I typed, I meant to say that I didn't realize gyn/oncs existed prior to my surgery instead of that I realized they existed prior to my surgery. Obviously if I knew they existed, I would have had one do my first surgery. My husband complains that my doctor always recommends surgery for me and now at least I can tell him that it's more than just one doctor recommending that I have surgery. I will make an appt. with a gyn/onc. Thank you for doing what you do to help people like me. God bless you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Glenda,
You have experienced two separate and unrelated gyn problems:
-an ovarian malignancy
-a precancerous change of the surface skin of the cervix
You had a stage 3a immature teratoma that has been graded between a 1 and a 2.
Stage 3a means that the cancer spread from the ovary and microscopically involved the omentum. The omentum is an apron of fat that is attached to the stomach and a part of the larger intestine called the transverse colon.
immature teratoma means that this cancer developed from the egg cell of the ovary. The general category of malignancy is "germ cell tumors" of the ovary. A "germ cell" is another word for egg or sperm. Malignant germ cell tumors are rapidly growing tumors that were usually fatal prior to the discovery that chemotherapy cured the majority of these cancers.
immature teratomas are graded as 1, 2 , or 3. Grade is the most important prognostic factor. The 5 year survival rates of grade 1 tumors (all stages) is 82%, grade 2 tumors 62%, and grade 3 tumors is 30%. Some people would argue that immature teratomas that have spread off the ovary should be given chemotherapy regardless of the grade. But as you point out, there are varying opinions.
In answer to your first question: I would strongly encourage you to see a gynecologic oncologist for your surgery. I do agree that you should have at least a laparoscopy. Cysts that develop while taking the birth control pill are usually unrelated to ovulation.
Your second issue is a high grade cervical lesion which means a precancerous condition of the cervix. It sounds like you have had the appropriate treatment for that. It is a very common condition.
Your ability to get pregnant will depend on the nature of the new cysts that you have.
It sounds like there is alot going on for you!
best wishes
You have experienced two separate and unrelated gyn problems:
-an ovarian malignancy
-a precancerous change of the surface skin of the cervix
You had a stage 3a immature teratoma that has been graded between a 1 and a 2.
Stage 3a means that the cancer spread from the ovary and microscopically involved the omentum. The omentum is an apron of fat that is attached to the stomach and a part of the larger intestine called the transverse colon.
immature teratoma means that this cancer developed from the egg cell of the ovary. The general category of malignancy is "germ cell tumors" of the ovary. A "germ cell" is another word for egg or sperm. Malignant germ cell tumors are rapidly growing tumors that were usually fatal prior to the discovery that chemotherapy cured the majority of these cancers.
immature teratomas are graded as 1, 2 , or 3. Grade is the most important prognostic factor. The 5 year survival rates of grade 1 tumors (all stages) is 82%, grade 2 tumors 62%, and grade 3 tumors is 30%. Some people would argue that immature teratomas that have spread off the ovary should be given chemotherapy regardless of the grade. But as you point out, there are varying opinions.
In answer to your first question: I would strongly encourage you to see a gynecologic oncologist for your surgery. I do agree that you should have at least a laparoscopy. Cysts that develop while taking the birth control pill are usually unrelated to ovulation.
Your second issue is a high grade cervical lesion which means a precancerous condition of the cervix. It sounds like you have had the appropriate treatment for that. It is a very common condition.
Your ability to get pregnant will depend on the nature of the new cysts that you have.
It sounds like there is alot going on for you!
best wishes
You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cancer Forum
Learn how to spot the warning signs of this “silent killer.”
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
