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Avatar universal

Lots of questions, just waiting and wondering

Hello! I am a 40 yr old that has 3 children, youngest being 12, and no desires for any more children. When I had my first son 20 years ago, I had a C-Section and while in there they discovered that my right ovary had cysts all over it, so they just removed the ovary, tested the cysts and they were benign. I went for my annual check up where the PA told me my uterus was large and she wanted me to go for a vaginal ultrasound. She called me last week to say that I had an 8 cmm solid mass on my left ovary. Last Wednesday I went for a pelvic & abdominal MRI, and I also did the CA125 blood test. I got a call that the blood test came back with low numbers and that by the looks of the mass they do not beleive this to be cancerous, but that it wasn't 8 cmm, it was 10cmm. I have made an appointment with the surgeon, and will not see him until March 11th. In the mean time, I have so many questions.
Will my other ovary most likely have to be removed?
Will this require a full hysterectomy?
What is the recovery period?
I know it's common for these cysts, masses? But, is 10cmm uncommon?
Any insight anyone can give me would be greatly appreicated!
Thank you!
Kathy
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Avatar universal
Thank you all so very much for the great information. I will definately keep you updated and come share my experiences with others!
Take care!
Kathy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am happy to help where I can to get you prepared for what's ahead.  Please also look for the link near the bottom right of this page under Most Viewed Health Pages for the "Hospital Stay - Open Surgery" page.  There's a lot of great information, perhaps more than you need, regarding pre and post surgery and what to bring with you to your hospital room.  You doctor will give you some info as well, but not nearly as much as you will see on the page I mentioned above.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Marie,

Thank you so very much!  I also have a 10+cm cystic and solid mass which will be removed thru open surgery in two weeks.  The information you gave Kathy is exactly what I have been looking for on this site.  Someone who has had the same thing!  My CA125 is 25, so I'm very hopeful for a good outcome.  While I have had a vag. hysterectomy years ago, and laparascopic gall bladder surgery, I have never had open abdominal surgery before.  You did a great job of answering the questions I have as well.
Thanks again.

Grandmere
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Kathy,

The waiting and wondering is far, far worse than finally getting it treated.  I nearly drove myself insane with the worrying.

I just had a 10+cm benign cyst removed last month along with both ovaries, even though only one had a cyst on it.  Doc felt a full hysterectomy would have been overreacting when only a cyst was involved but did want to also remove the "good" ovary since (1) I already completed menopause and (2) it could easily turn bad at a later date (and I didn't want to risk a second surgery).  Doc did go with the assumption that since I was in my late 40s, ovarian cancer was a (still low but ever increasing) possibility, so he recommended laparotomy (open incisional surgery) instead of laparoscopy (small incisions).

While laparoscopy is less invasive with a shorter recovery period (outpatient or overnight stay in hospital; approx 2 weeks at home to recover), the risk is that if there's any cancer (they won't really know until surgery), you don't want the doc to bag it/deflate it internally to remove it via the small incision.  It could accidentally release cancer cells into your blood, and then you'd need chemotherapy.  Earliest stage of cancer can often be removed with no need for followup treatment if it's contained to the cyst/tumor and removed carefully so as to not contaminate your blood.

Laparotomy, on the other hand, could mean two or three nights in the hospital and a six week at home recovery period.  Incision could be about 4 to 5 inches (vertical is preferred).  Mine was from below the belly button downwards.  Since you already had a C-Section (horizontal, I assume?) my guess is the surgeon would follow the same incision line for this procedure.

Recovery will be similar to the C-Section recovery period.  You will be restricted to not lifting anything 5 pounds or greater for 4 weeks and then 10 pounds or greater for weeks 4-6.  There are other restrictions as well.  Family or friends will need to take care of things for you (lift/cook/clean/shop) and drive you around.  You'll be sore and tired for weeks and will have to move carefully and will have abdominal gas pains leftover from the surgery.  

If you lose this remaining ovary, that means you'll go into surgical menopause and might need HRT or just tough it out with the hot flashes and other unpleasantness of menopause.  It is possible to retain the ovary a bit longer if all is benign, but cysts could always return.  The question is whether you are willing to risk another surgery in the future or be done with it now.  It's a good sign that your CA-125 came in low.  Mine was 34 and the "normal" limit is 35.  I was pretty borderline but still benign.

10cm cysts are not uncommon unfortunately.  I've heard of ones much, much bigger in fact.  Once they get that big, then tend to keep on growing (or worse) which is why doctors recommend removal.  My doc performs several surgeries a day for this sort of thing.  I was shocked to hear how common this is.

Best wishes to you.  I am so sorry you are going through this but we are all here to support you through it. I hope this is helpful to you. Please keep us updated (and when you get a surgery date) and I'll keep you in my prayers for a happy outcome and quick recovery.
Marie
Helpful - 0
187666 tn?1331173345
Last Feb. I had a 10cm cyst plus ovary and tube removed laparascopically. Mine started out as a 7cm and quickly expanded to 10 by surgery day. Mine was benign. I'm also 56 years old.

Your doctor will explain the options. Because of your age and desire to be finished with child bearing, it may be easier for them to take out the whole thing - ovary and cyst. I don't see why they would do a full hysterectomy. I also have fibroids in my uterus but the doc just left them there rather than do a more invasive, risky surgery for something so benign.

Because of the size of your cyst, they'll probably want to schedule a surgery soon. Not because it's cancer but because a cyst that size can flip and twist the tube. That's painful.

Let us know what you hear and ask more questions if need be.
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