What Happens to the Ovary?

I have an 8-12 cm mostly solid dermoid in an ovary. The ultrasound said it was 8 cm in my right ovary; the CT scan says it's 12 cm in my left ovary. First, why would there be this confusion on which ovary it is in? (It is sitting in my midline just beneath my belly button. I can feel a hard knot there.)

Second, the doc said he won't be removing the ovary. What happens to the ovary after the dermoid is cut out of it? Is it stitched up or just left "as is" to heal? I read some things about a mesh of some kind being put around the ovary. Why is that? My doctor didn't mention anything about that, so does that mean he won't be using it (or would he just not think to mention it)?

Third, I've been reading about adhesions/scarring. Does the ovary always adhere to something near it? Will that cause me pain/discomfort of any kind?

Finally, MUST a dermoid be removed? Can a person die due to torsion of the ovary or rupture? It's not causing me any problems now, and I'm just scared I'm going to do something that is just going to cause problems.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

HI There
if you google "dermoid cyst", you will find a wealth of information including videos of surgery. What amazing world we live in!

Dermoid cyst or mature teratoma is an ovarian neoplasm that is benign.Occasionally a malignancy will form from one of the elements inside the tumor.
These tumors will continue to grow over the years
Currently the size of your tumors are at the limit of a minimally invasive surgical approach (laparoscopy).

The laparoscopic surgical approach leaves less adhesions and your postop op recovery is much faster.


if those tumors get any bigger, you will need a large surgical incision on your abdomen to remove them.

you could leave them alone but they will grow and you will start looking like you are pregnant. They may also be uncomfortable for you as they start to push out your abdomen and press on your bladder and your intestines.

also as they get bigger, it will be harder to preserve your normal ovarian function and you may lose one or both ovaries. If you lose both your ovaries, you will go into menopause.

I know it is a nuisance to have your life interrupted for surgery and it can also be scary but it is an investment well worth it to keep you safe, comfortable, and premenopausal.
best wishes