Small Cancer 7mm found after Laparotomy

[gaby214]

Hi all, I posted this on another forum:
I have a question about the result of the biopsy. I just had laparotomy Mon April 5. I'm 34, w/ 3&4 yo kids,used to be 105 lbs, presurgery wt was 115lbs,now 103lbs again.The cyst was 7lb & 6oz,25cm x 24cm x 14cm.

Diagnosis:(Gross & Microscopic)

Left Ovary:
-Multifocal mucinous adenocarcinoma arising in borderline mucinous cystadenoma. Largest 7mm
-Margins of resection are clear

-Mature cystic teratoma composed of skin,skin appendages,well diffrentiated brain tissue,salivary gland,fat tissues, nerve bundles,well differentiated cartilage,smooth muscle,cyst lined by columnar ciliated epithelium,ganglia,tooth & one.

Gross Description:
Left Ovary: This consists of spheroidal, slightly bosselated mass which weights 4960 grams &it measures 25cmx24cm x 14cm in greates dimensions.On sectioning, 4700ml are expressed from the unilocular cyst which shows two dome-shaped lesions.The larger measures 6.5cm in greatest dimension.On sectioning,this contains brown hair,a tooth & a knobby area which measures 2.5cm in greates dimension.The second dome-shaped lesion measures 6.2x4.5x2.6cm in greates dimensions.On sectioning,this shows numberous cavities containing mucious material.The largest cyst hows a smooth wall and it measures 2 mm in thickness.

I just want to ask if anyone understands it. Sometimes I forget to ask the doctor questions.I talked to the doctor and she said it is a cancer but it is small.She scheduled a CT SCAN next week Monday.She mentioned Chemo depending on the results.She said most probably I might have a laparoscopy or laparotomy again for my right ovary.Is it normal for it not to be seen when I had laparotomy last week? I just find it redundant that I had to have another surgery when they could have done everything last week?Kindly explain whoever knows the proper procedure.Is it normal to have back to back surgeries whenever they found a cancer on one ovary? Thanks so much.

[gaby214]

Thank you so much for the reply and the explanantion. Yes, I still have the uterus and right ovary. That is why I was thinking maybe they should have removed the others might have any potential cancers of some sort.  

I have addition questions:

1. What is the possible causes of this type of tumor or cancer?  
2. What is exactly the type of tumor I have? It says "Multifocal mucinous adenocarcinoma arising in borderline mucinous cystadenoma" Are these 2 types of tumors? "Multifocal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma" and "Borderline Mucinous Cystadenoma"?  
3. When it metioned "Largest 7mm" does it mean their are more than just one?
4. When is Chemo needed?
5. Based on your experience on this type of tumor/cancer how many days,wks or months for it to grow to 7mm?
6.  Are there foods, drinks that I need to avoid? Soda, Red Meat etc?
7. Should I take birth control pills? And should I get worried whenever my period comes because it might be mking it worst?

I apologize for my many questions. This is just new to me, I still ask myself "So does this mean I do have cancer?" Because this is the type of thing that I only hear so many times but never really thought might happen to me. Thank you so much! I appreciate all the helpful advice that you can give.

[gaby214]

Thank you so much for the reply and the explanantion. Yes, I still have the uterus and right ovary. That is why I was thinking maybe they should have removed the others might have any potential cancers of some sort.  

I have addition questions:

1. What is the possible causes of this type of tumor or cancer?  
2. What is exactly the type of tumor I have? It says "Multifocal mucinous adenocarcinoma arising in borderline mucinous cystadenoma" Are these 2 types of tumors? "Multifocal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma" and "Borderline Mucinous Cystadenoma"?  
3. When it metioned "Largest 7mm" does it mean their are more than just one?
4. When is Chemo needed?
5. Based on your experience on this type of tumor/cancer how many days,wks or months for it to grow to 7mm?
6.  Are there foods, drinks that I need to avoid? Soda, Red Meat etc?
7. Should I take birth control pills? And should I get worried whenever my period comes because it might be mking it worst?

I apologize for my many questions. This is just new to me, I still ask myself "So does this mean I do have cancer?" Because this is the type of thing that I only hear so many times but never really thought might happen to me. Thank you so much! I appreciate all the helpful advice that you can give.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,


Thank you for the complete information about your pathology. So you only had your left ovary removed?
You still have your uterus and right ovary?

The report shows that you had a really  large tumor on the ovary. The majority of it was a benign tumor. Part of it was made up of a very common benign ovarian tumor called a dermoid cyst or a mature teratoma. Both terms are used for the same thing. It is a tumro that arises from an egg cell in the ovary. The egg cell can make all the normal tissues of the body such as brain, bone , hair and so on. The only treatmentfor this is surgical removal. There is about a 25% chance of making a dermoid cyst on the other ovary in your lifetime.


The second tumor you have in that ovary was a tumor coming from the surface lining of the ovary. The general category of this tumor is epithelial ovary neoplasm. Epithelial ovarian tumors can be benign, borderline, or malignant.

Borderline tumors are a very slow growing malignancy of the ovary. Invasive cancer is a faster growing maligancy. You have both in that ovary. Bordeline tumors are cured by surgery. Sometimes, the recommendation is to do a full hysterectomy removal of uterus, both ovaries and fallopian tubes, for very large borderline tumors.

For an invasive cancer, there is much more urgency to consideration of a second suregry to both remove the uterus and other ovary/tube but also to evaluate for spread by biopsies of lymph ndoes and the fatty tissue that is attached to the stomach called the omentum.

Depending on spread and the malignant properties of an invasive cancer, chemotherapy is sometimes recommended.

You need to consult a gynecologic oncologist and get their opinion about the next step. They will want to review the pathology and then decide if you need a second surgery.
best wishes