left ovarian nodule

[87redvette]

My left ovary is 4 cm x 3 cm x 3.7 cm . At the margin of the ovary there is a 2.8 x 2.5 x 3 cm heterogenous solid appearing area with internal blood flow.  No abnormal cystic areas.  I will see a new doctor in 1 and 1/2 weeks, but his assistant said he read the findings, and is not alarmed.  Another doctor said we should remove the ovary but expects it to be benign.  My ca 125 was 3.7.  Because it has internal blood flow, is it likely to be cancerous?

[old_before_my_time]

Was removal of JUST the cyst discussed? The ovaries actually produce hormones into a woman's 80's for optimal health and well-being. Unfortunately, gynecologists are too quick to remove organs especially after we have completed our families. But just as a man's testicles (and prostate) have lifelong functions, so do the uterus, ovaries, and tubes.

[87redvette]

I have done tons of reading.  Really helps to read posts on this site.  Sure wish the mind could just shut down anxiety, because it affects you both mentally and physically.   Thanks for your post. I am 57 and hope the oophorectomy results are benign..  Also read a post this year that a radiologist noted they are trying to get away from the internal blood flow as an indicator of cancer and use more the appearance of the mass as an indicator.

[old_before_my_time]

MOST ovarian masses are benign. However, they cannot always tell from ultrasound or other imaging. But if you do not have a predisposition for ovarian cancer, then your lifetime risk is less than 2%.

Unfortunately, removal of female sex organs is GROSSLY overused in the U.S. and some other countries. My gynecologist removed all my sex organs (uterus, ovaries, tubes) for a benign ovarian cyst.

You should not need to lose any organs (not even the one ovary) if the cyst is benign and you have a doctor with good cystectomy skills. Since many cysts resolve on their own, periodic ultrasounds are oftentimes an option but not always offered as gynecologists make most of their $$$ by doing surgery. If this mass needs to be removed, the frozen section (pathology) of the cyst done while you are under anesthesia should dictate if your ovary is removed or not (and any other organs for that matter).

I wish I had done things very differently, the main one being to not accept any talk of organ removal if the cyst was benign. And I wish I had documented my wishes on the surgical consent form and made my surgeon sign off on my revisions. I also wish I had known I was having surgery in a teaching hospital even though it is not affiliated with any university. Unfortunately, I did not find out until I was in pre-op and they had already started sedation.

Let us know how the appointment with the new doctor goes in 1-1/2 weeks.