Ovarian tumour mucinous borderline

The pathology report on the 9cm ovarian tumour removed by my gynaecologist via laparoscopy says:-

"MACROSCOPIC:-
Right ovary:  The specimen consists of a fragmented cystic ovary submitted as a large irregular membranous fragment of cyst wall measuring 170 x up to 30 x 5 mm and solid areas of multioculated mucinous tissue measuring 35 and 40 mm in diameter.  On the large fragment a segment of distorted fallopian tube measuring 40 x 5 mm is included.

MICROSCOPIC:
Sections show a mucinous cystic tumour with quite a prominent microcystic architecture.  The tumour is lined by a mixture of intestinal type and endocervical columnar type mucin secretory epithelium and there are focal areas showing nuclear stratification, small tuffs of epithelium a few of which are detacted and mild nuclear atypia.  Only occasional mitoses are present.  Despite the complicated architecture no definite stromal invasion is identified.  The changes indicate a mucinous ovarian tumour of borderline malignant potential.  The fallopian tube appears unremarkable.  Cystic follicles located in small fragments of ovarian tissue are also included.

Before surgery it was assumed to be a dermoid cyst so no staging was done and my appendix was left in place. Nothing more has been done except my doctor has asked me to get 6 monthly vaginal ultrasounds and CA125 and CASA tests for the rest of my life.

If these tumours have such a great survival rate, I don't see why I have to have these continued tests and I'm not sure why I don't need to have my appendix removed as well.  Please give me your advice.

[samantha_2003]

Hi Jeanius,

What was in your u/s report? Why you choosed a gyn-oncologist.

I have a solid complex cyst too in my left ovary. I am going to visit a RE today. I am not sure .... Gyn-RE or Gyn-oncologist i need!

My u/s report saying.... complex solid mass... probably endo.
What was in your report? What was your CA-125 test result before surgary?

I have heard (may be in am not sure) if there is any cancer or tumar risk... don't don't want to do laparoscopy. But i am happy to do that, you did your surgery with laparoscopy. Any advice from your experience please.

Thanks

Samantha

[amber101nz]

I have also had mucinous borderline tumor on my left ovary which was removed.  The tumor was the size of a basketball.  Iam also required to have checkups every 3 months which I've unfortunately not committed to.  I guess just in fear that it would come back with unwanted results.  I to am confused as to why such frequent visits are required if the likely hood of the tumor coming back is small.  Im just looking for support with my experience and anyone who may have had the same medical issue.  I had open surgery not laparscopy but I would think if the tumor is small enough laparscopy would be safe.  Ive had laparscopy with other health issues.  And if I had choice would prefer laparscopy to open surgery, but in my case with my tumor was just to big to do laparscopy and they also wanted to do exploratory surgery because my tumor was so big.  My appendix was also left in place as well.  I guess if it has not spread to any other organs no reason to remove.  Iam 28 years old and if i had to do all over again I would of had them remove both ovaries because of fear of it coming back and having to do surgery again haunts me.  

[Casey06]

Hi Amber. I was dx with borderline mucinous tumor this past August and doctor was a gyn onc and treated it like full malignant and removed everything (both ovaries, tubes, uterus, appendix, omentum and sampled lymph nodes). Mine was contained to left ovary and small in comparison to yours. Going in I agreed to full everything, because I am 45 and fertility wasn't an issue. My original gyn onc wanted only yearly checkup, but I had read every 4 to 6 months is the standard, so I saw new gyn onc who agreed with this. The reason she gave for wanting to do close follow-up is because in the rare instance of recurrance (about 20%) it can often be full malignant, so I recommend you do follow-up every 6 months minimum.

Good luck.

[amber101nz]

Hi Casey.  Thanks for all the info.  I wonder why they removed everything with you and it was so small.  Yet mine was so big and they only removed the one ovary.  It makes me think maybe my Dr. was not proactive enough.  I dont know.  So its only 20% chance of return?  I think my Dr. had told me about 5% chance of returning.  Who knows.  I guess I'am going to make an appointment soon.  Good luck with you I hope everything is going well