TAH or w/w, more

[nina04]

I'm scared to consider the TAH.
It seems extreme to me, but I also worry about the chance of OVCa. Oh, yeah, the gyn/onc has ordered a repeat ca 125, along with a ca19-9and a ca15-3. (I

[JGMom]

I consented to remove everything if there was evidence of wide-spread endo.  If it's confined to that ovary, then it's just the ovary coming out.  I am either in menopause (which I don't believe- I don't have symptoms other than my pds stopping w/ the onset of that ovarian cyst) or I will be in a few years.  I have a history of nasty endo, which was surpressed (I think) from finally getting pregnant 2x - but my youngest just turned 9 yrs old, so it has been awhile.  If this is endo again, I don't want to go through surgery again, the scare of what's growing in me, and the problems I have had that magically appeared when this cyst nightmare started (I developed severe hypertension).  Whatever this is is effectively shutting down my ovaries anyway, so they aren't doing anything for me but causing problems and I just don't want to go through this again if endo is the cause of it.  Plus, I get scared that there is an association b/t endo and OC.  Of course, when I was in my 20s and early 30s, I had a different view: I wanted to preserve fertility, so I would never have consented to remove everything.  Now, I'm done having children, I am a single parent and have 2 youngish children and one is disabled and has a lot of medical problems - I can't afford to be knocked out of commission like this repeatedly and there aren't a lot of people lining up to take on my very needy son if something should happen to me.  So I am looking at this mess from a different perspective now.  I guess it's all where you are in life?

[greenThumbs]

Why if endometriosis would you consent to have everything removed?  What problems could arise if everything is not removed with endometriosis?

[Gatsby]

You are in my thoughts and prayers.  I hope you get your answers soon.  Godspeed
~Tascha

[nursepatient]

Hi, I agree with JGmom about all of the above.  The imaging studies vary a lot in
1) quality of obtaining the imagage, and
2) the imression and opinion of the doc interpreting the image
3) the impression of the doc who ordered the test.  

US has the advantage of being quick and inexpensive and for certain growths can be a great Dx tool.  It is the standard as most of us have exerienced.  Also good for aiding in distinguishing from fluid vs. solid or partial masses due to the variance in sound waves.  It can also listen to blood flow.

MRI does not have sound but produces a much nicer more detailed and (I might say lovely) visual picture of your innards. It would probably cost more than 3 times as much and is usually not necessary unless reports on serial US conflict or cannot determine with certainty what they are looking at in the US.

That being said, you have had BOTH done and there are conflicting impressions.  That is a bummer.  Your best bet is to have the actual images of both the MRI and the US evaluated by a second opinion. Or, if surgery is immenent, "wait and see" how it looks on the other side of the surgery.   Hope that helps!

[CindiSue]

Good question!!! Why would they? Also did you gals sign these consent forms about what you would let them do at the docs or at your pre-surgery screenings? The only thing the doc said was if it was ovac on one ovary he would take both. His nurse setting up the surgery said he never put you to sleep for a lap and did a hysterectomy. He wants to give you time and he does it open.

[nina04]

wow, thanks for all your responses.  Back from work, and now i have so much to think about.  I am currently seeking a second opinion, so hope they will have their own look at the films, not just read the reports.  
I'll take a look at more info on endo....and keep lurking around this site.  I've found lots of good info here.
you guys are great!

[JGMom]

Nina - I had CT, MRI and U/S.  It depends on the scan and also who is interpreting it.  I had the same films interpreted by local hospital radiologist and gyns and also by radiologists at Mayo.  The Mayo said likely endometrioma.  Local said hemorrhagic cyst or cystic malignancy and another one said fluid-filled cyst.  Mine has debris, but looks mostly like fluid-filled.  I think they can't tell for certain until they see it and sometimes even until they do pathology.  I am thinking that the hemorrhagic cyst doesn't eliminate endometriosis.  It's as much an art as science.  I was told by 2 gyns that I should have everythign removed.  But I decided to do a step-wise approach where I had different levels of consent depending on what they saw.  If it is contained to the ovary, they will just remove that ovary.  If it is endo and is widespread, remove everything.  If it looks like cancer, then take the ovary, close me up and let me recover and then have the TAH since they can do a better job that way.  I don't know if I'm making the right choice for sure or not.  It depends on your age, if you want to preserve fertility, and personal choice I guess.  It's really difficult to decide; I know how you feel.  Best wishes