scheduled for cyst and ovary removal

[mhelen]

Hi I am very grateful I happened across this forum (not so sure my employer is since lately I seem to have problems concetrating on anything other than the possibility of OVCA).  

I am 47 yers old and up to Jan of this year was having no problems, then in January I had a very heavy 19 day period and then after skipping a month had another heavy 24 day period. I have gained a fair amount of weight since January and most in my stomach (but not sure if it's from bloating or just my age). I went for an US because I was considering having the Novasure procedure done for this problem when they discovered a cyst on my right ovary.(according to my report I have an enlarged Uterus - the endometrial biopsy was fine, and a right ovarian cyst with a thin septation measureing 5.5 X 5.0 X 4.6.  Till now I have only seen a nurse practitioner whom I love but 2 days ago I met with her gyn partner(MD).  He is planning laproscopic surgery to remove the cyst and my RT ovary.  My Ca 125 is only 28 and he says he is fairly sure there is no abnormality (I think his word for cancer - anyone else notice that doctors tend to not like that word) but that because of the septation he wants to remove it and check to be sure.  I have been reading that if cancer is suspected you have a better outcome with a gyn/oncologist so now I am unsure whether to proceed with the surgery or take the time to go see a gyn/oncologist.  I guess I am not alone in just wanting to know for sure whats going on asap so I can stop obssessing - I work in the medical information field so I have seen lots of worse case scenarios and of course always imagine the worse.  I'd appreiate any opinios or experience Thanks

[rmarie]

Your are correct, you have the best chance if a GYN/ONC is the surgeon and it is cancer.  If the OB/GYN opens and finds cancer, he either calls the GYN/ONC to come take over, which is dependent on their availability, or closes and they have to go back in when the GYN/ONC can do it.  Give your self the best chance the first time, see the GYN/ONC if only for a second opinion.  If it is cancer, you'll be meeting him/her later anyway.  Better sooner than later, cause if it is cancer, you will be seeing alot of the gyn/onc.  good luck, keep us posted.

[mhelen]

Thanks Marie

Frustratingly enough I just found out the only gynelogical oncologist in my health system won't see me unless I have a diagnosis of cancer, a high tumor marker or a very high suspicion of cancer.  This despite the fact that the same health system sent me a newsletter with excerts from an article in "Cancer" detailing how having a gyn oncologist at the time of diagnosis (usually surgery) means a better outcome.  So they are telling me I have to wait till after the laproscopic surgery and if they find cancer than I can see the gyn/oncologist ... this also very frustrating because this is a fairly large health system

[rmarie]

mail them back there newsletter, with that highlighted.  there are ways, a surgery can be scheduled with the gyn/onc available ask if it is possible.  Health care needs to be fixed.  Good luck.  I do know of someone who had a gyn operate and they the gyn/onc went in and did the standard debulking, she has done very well.  Good luck to you