Surgery Finally Scheduled for Complex Cyst

Well, finally my surgery is scheduled for Feb. 5.  The last ultrasound showed a 5.4cm complex cyst with septations & papillary excrescences. My CA-125 was 45. Just had that done again a few days ago, but don't yet know the results. Naturally, I'm scared to death it's malignant, though I know most are benign. Still, it's so hard not to worry! I'm having both ovaries and uterus removed, and They are going to try to do it laparoscopically, though obviously if anything looks suspicious they'll switch to a laparotomy. So, I won't know till I wake up what kind of surgery I had or what they found. All the uncertainty is just adding to my anxiety. I still have no symptoms other thasn a vague "sensation" in the area of my right ovary. It's not painful, just a strange feeling as if I can "feel" my ovary is not right :-)  Hopefully, the lack of any other symptoms, such as fluid, pain, bloating, etc is a good sign, but nothing is certain until they do the surgery. Everyone here has been very helpful and supportive, and I know you'll all be there for me no metter what happens. So,, here I sit waiting and trying not to worry too much.

Karen

[casper1991]

Just out of curiosity......how long did it take to get the surgery scheduled? How long have you been dealing with this?

I have been going thru all kinds of stuff since March 2006. With the CT confirming what I had expected in November 2006. Blood work now finished and ordered to see OBGYN this tues. Of course things have gotten WAY WORSE since last march.

Just wondering if there is going to months more of this, or like my family dr(who found this)wants me in surgery within the week.

Thanks :)

[Cagney2712]

Actually I've been dealing with this for months as well. A CT scan done for something else in May, 2006 showed what was described as an enlarged ovary. A follow-up ultrasound showed a cyst; it was about 4.3cm then. The doctor felt it safe to wait a few months and see what happens. Another ultrasound in Nov. showed it was now a little bigger, and now was considered "complex"cyst with septations. I then saw a gyn. oncologist, who said she saw no need to rush into surgery, and thought one more month of 'waiting and watching" was fine.  By December the cyst now showed what could be papillary excrescences. Still the onc. didn't seem overly concerned, but I said I didn't want to just keep waiting, it was time to get that sucker out!! Since I had asked about a possible laparoscopy, that meant more waiting until I could see the gyn who specializes in minimally invasive surgery to see if that was an option. Saw him I believe it was Jan 9., and we decided to go ahead and try laparoscopy. That meant that both he and the gyn oncologist had to "coordinate" their schedules so they could both be in on the surgery. I insisted that I wanted it doen asap, but Feb 5 was the 1st date they could get together.

Yes, I certainly wonder if all this waiting around just gave the cyst time to "go bad" !! I guess I was somewhat reassured when the gyn oncologist didn't seem to think it was "urgent." Of course, it's not her life that's at stake!! So, I'm sure the next 2 weeks are going to seem endless. As much as I want it to just be over, I'm scared about the surgery, and what they might find, and having to wait 2 more weeks just gives me more time to worry . One minute I feel certain it's going to be ok, and the next I'm just about in tears thinking it's definitely cancer! I'm sure everyone goes through that though.

[Cagney2712]

I never heard of the DHEA test until I read about it here. No one has mentioned that to me, not even the gyn. oncologist, so I don't believe I've had that one done. My CA-125 in Dec. was 45; I should get the results of the latest one tomorrow. I know that this time they did do another "tumor marker" test in addition to the CA-125, but I forget what it was. I'll find that out tomorrow too. I'm anxious, and scared, to see if the CA-125 has gone up.  I read about all of the symptoms many of the women here have had, from bad pain, to bowel problems, to bad bloating, and I feel lucky I haven't had any of that. I sure hope that's a good sign!!

[casper1991]

WOW!! You almost sound like you've been thru everything I have.

I am just now hoping I will not have to wait much longer. I see a regular OBGYN this Tues. I'm going to ask to go see a OB/ONC. My standard dr says its not something to wait on as the "tumor" is leaking and causing my blood to go completely out of wack. I had a CA125 run Thursday and get the results of that tomarrow.

By chance did you ever have a DHEA blood drawn? I have been asking many people and NO ONE mentions that they have. That is what started this whole process for me. At that time my level was 894 and it isnt to be over 722. HOWEVER, in the last 4 months its jumpped to 2227!!!

Ever heard of this??

[s13]

I came across this site just yesterday, while researching...some of the problems you're presenting with are similar in nature to mine; the fact that you have a complex cyst (with heavy septations) is reason enough for you to be aggressively cautious.  I, however, am post surgical menopausal since 2003.  I've already undergone 3 laparoscopies, a total abdominal hysterectomy, a bilateral-salpingo oophorectomy, & a laparotomy in the past 12 yrs.  I'm currently preparing for another CT, a needle aspiration & biopsy (peritoneal fluid), & a 2nd laparotomy.  My dr. doesn't focus in on CA-125, because my Endo has always increased the levels anyway.  It's difficult to look for a malignancy, with a benign condition that increases those levels to begin with.  It's basically an obsolete test for me.  Do you struggle with chronic gynelogical problems, or is this a 1st for you?  Have you ever had any invasive treatments done?  In my opinion, if you have, your OBGYN should not even think of a laparoscopy at all...you should be undergoing a laparotomy.  On the upside, if they really suspected a malignancy, they wouldn't be debating over the 2 methods.  Since a malignant growth (fluid filled or solid) tends to stick to surrounding tissue & nearby structures, a surgeon must go in very carefully.  A laparotomy is a clear choice when Cancer is speculated.  If this helps you any, I can go over my earliest symptoms with you...my dr. has prepared me with the strong possibility of Ovarian Cancer (most likely stage III)for my upcoming procedures & operation.  I'm fortunate that I've been with the same OBGYN for over 10 yrs. & he is the one who has preformed all my surgeries & operations (he even delivered my son).  To start, the 1st most obvious symptom I noticed was pain during intercourse.  I was only 3 months post op (from my laparotomy to remove a 5.5 cm mass w/ complex cyst attached 3.5cm) when I began noticing pelvic pain again.  I went for a transvaginal ultrasound (my dr. recommended doing so every 6 months indefinately) to find a collection of fluid in my abdomen, along with a mass/tumor & complex cyst attached.  This is all presenting more than 2 yrs. after my remaining reproductive organs were removed!  Don't ever listen to anyone who tells you that removing your reproductive organs will cure Endometriosis or prevent Ovarian Cancer.  My dr. has spoken very frankly with me about my current situation.  I go in for my 2nd CT (the 1st was in March of '06, ordered by a GYNOncologist) on Feb. 2nd; immediately following the procedure, I'm to go see the general surgeon to go over my results.  My OBGYN is expediting my results same day to set up an immediate needle aspiration with the gen. surgeon, since all the doctors said it's out of radiology's expertise.  He already told me the primary reason for the hurried testing, to test for metastatic Cancer in the fluid; he continued to tell me the colonoscopy is to check for any sign of Cancer in the inside of my bowels; he was very specific about the order to which all this is taking place - once I go under for my laparotomy ( a gen. oncology surgeon is teaming up with the gen. surgeon), everything will be in place to proceed w/ debulking if necessary.  My dr. has brought up the possibility of a bowel resection & colostomy.  I am barely 30 yrs. old & have already been through so much, but I am still here & I'm fighting every step of the way.  Some of my other early symptoms were slight abdominal pressure, mild nausea occurring in mid to late evening, lack of energy, & mild fatigue hitting me suddenly in mid evening.  I posted another comment on another thread, regarding Ovarian Remnant Syndrome, just yesterday.  I encourage you to read it also, as it contains other info. that may be helpful to you.  I will be going through all this continuously starting Feb. 2nd, 5th & 6th; I may need to go straight to a laparotomy, following the 2nd.  The only reason I'm waiting is because my new insurance (for high risk people) starts up Feb. 1st.  My OBGYN isn't happy about it, but he understands the cost alone is a heavy burden.  Let me know if I can help.

[Cagney2712]

I have not had any gyn problems before this, nor any gyn surgery. They are going to try the laparoscopy and remove the "problem" ovary & cyst 1st. If the pathology comes back benign, they'll proceed and do the whole surgery that way. If the pathology is "borderline" or malignant, they'll switch to a laparotomy so that the oncologist can do the "staging" and whatever else is necessary. So, I may end up having a laparotomy anyway, depending upon what they find.