ovarian dermoid

I have been diagnosed with a dermoid (3.7 x 3cm) on my right ovary. I have had it since at least 1998 and the size has not changed. I am 61 y/o. It causes me pain occassionally, and I am going to have it removed the end of the month. The surgeon wants to know if I want the other ovary removed at the same time. There is nothing on that ovary. What is the opinion on removing the healthy ovary?

[monsterinme]

I am just learning about all this female stuff, never gave it much mind until of course I learned I had problems. I have a softball size dermoid tumor that is growing, it has hair/teeth so my left ovary has to go, my right is still good...........so far when they get in there if anything is wrong its then gone....but if not I chose to keep it but then again I am 40 vs. your 61.........if I can keep my ovary another 10    years I'll take it..........like I said I dont know much but the longer you can keep at least one the better they say. My monster in me will be gone tomorrow evening, I wish you the best on removing yours and whatever you chose God already knows because he knows all. My God bless you

[janeh]

Hi!

I thought I would let you know about the monster that was in me! Affectionately, known as "Alon" (Alien-Melon)he was diagnoised as a 20cm Melon orginally but, when I went into my surgery last Thursday he managed to be a stunning 30cm x 20cm.

My surgery should have been a TAH BSO with Omentectomy (everything removed)But, on the morning of surgery another Gyne had to step in and decided that I would only be having a my Right ovary removed with (Tumor/Cyst/Mass) it depends who is talking to you what they describe it as! Although I have had to have a verticle incision (belly button to bikini-line) due to the size of him.

I was both upset and angry that I was not having everything removed. I did not want the worry of either another  coming up on my left ovary or cervical cancer as my Mother or a Cancerous Tumour as my Mothers Sister had.  

But all he would say was he believed it to be good tissue and that I wouldn't be so keep to have my arm removed.  I did explain that I needed my arm! I have had my children had my tubes tide approx 15yrs and that I had experienced heavy very painful periods and large clots. Until they fitted a Mirena Coil approx 5 yrs ago although I do not have periods due to that now. My womb had done it's job.  He said I stood more chance even with my family history of getting Breast Cancer!!

He won as my only option on that morning would have been to cancel Surgery obviously I was so uncomfortable with size looked about 8 months preg.  I did not want to wait weeks for another date and Surgeon.

I am in the process of waiting for biopsy, he believes it to be benign!!  But, if any cancer I'm back for surgery etc. I won't know for about another week.  At 46yrs I would rather have it all gone!!

Jan

[KarinC]

Hello all.....Tommie, to answer your question first, at 61 I would have both the right and left ovary removed.  You should be past menopause by now and the ovary has served it's purpose. I was 39 when my left ovary was removed.  My MD told me as long as it was healthy (the right one) he would leave it for estrogem production.  It is much safer and natural to have the natural estrogen enter a womans body then hormone replacements.  The average woman goes thru menopause around 51, he used that as a guideline.  At 61, you should not need hormone replacement.

Janeh,  I followed your posts and I am glad your surgery is over and WOW what a big growth!  I had a smaller cyst removed, but I had the same thoughts...take it all I am done using those parts.  but as I mentioned above, DR's had their reasons.  I do feel bad that this happened to you the morning of surgery!  What choice did you really have!!!  It is too bad this Dr stepped in, he did know of your family history, correct?  Maybe you'll get some answers at your follow-up appointment that were unclear the morning of your surgery!  Just look ahead and look ahead in a positive manor, the growth is gone and if it looked suspicious, (from my experience and reading others)The Dr would have took the other tissue...so use that as a positive note!  

karin