Removing an ovary

[scootchie]

I have a 3" cyst on one of my ovaries and my doctor wants to remove it and have it tested for cancer, are there any other alternatives to this?  I have had too many surgies in my lifetime including one for an aneurysm in my brain.

[Sandymac]

Hi,
    I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that due to the size of the cyst, it warrants removal. I'm not saying it's cancer. It more than likely isn't but it's always better to be safe rather than sorry.
    Please, don't compare the laparotomy or laparoscopic procedure with the type of surgery you had with your aneurysm. In either case, it's much different. We're all different and our healing is different.. but truly, if you have the laparoscopy (like I did), it isn't bad at all .. Only a few weeks healing time. On the other hand,if you have a laparotomy, it is a longer surgical procedure, and longer healilng. There are gals on here that have had the laparotomy and bounce back after only a few weeks. Others have a harder time of it.
     Did your Dr. give any opinion on what type of cyst it is? They, of course, can't really be 100% sure until the procedure, but most have a fairly good idea. Bear in mind something.. All cysts are 95% benign. Ovarian Cancer is still considered "uncommon" .. but if you are one of the unfortunate 5%, those stats don't mean much , of course.
      I only had one ovary removed .. actually there are some benefits to leaving one especially as in my case, where the cyst was very small. The other ovary, even as old as I am , does have some merit.. . Actually I would have liked an entire hyster. but my Dr. refused. It's amazing what these organs do (according to the medical community) that we're not even aware of.. And, she just wasn't keen on removing a healthy organ.. I was told ,  in my case,,  that having a cyst  does not  predispose one to having another. .. I'm 70 years old and had a cyst back in my 20's that resolved itself... nothing since then .
    The main thing is not to worry! Check the top right of this page .. "Health Pages" and you will find all sorts of good information about cysts. I know it's very difficult, but just remember how common they really are , and 95 % benign!!! You'll do just great if you have the surgery .I wasn't fearful actually since I had been told it was a piece of cake from the ladies here.. And, all things considered, it really was. I was familiar though with hospitals, surgeries, etc.(minor thankfully), so that part didn't alarm me.
     Please keep in touch .and let us know when the procedure will be scheduled and good luck ...

Sandy  

[MarieMichele]

I am so sorry you are experiencing this health problem.  I had a large cyst and both ovaries removed in January, and my cyst was 4+ inches in diameter.  There isn’t really another alternative once a cyst gets too big to be considered something that will go away on its own.  The cancer risk should not be taken lightly either.  Ovarian cancer is a terrible, terrible disease with a low survival rate.  The only way to prevent things from getting even worse later is to remove the cyst as soon as possible, hopefully while it is still benign or cancer is contained to just the cyst/tumor.  Contained cancer won’t need chemotherapy if it is removed and the doctor is confident there was no spread.  After that (once it spreads), the treatment is downright terrible.  Read the heartbreaking stories on the Ovarian Cancer Community if you need convincing.  True, 95% of cysts are benign, but that 5% risk of having a life threatening situation is serious.

Believe me, I wanted my doctor to suggest something other than surgery when I got the upsetting news, but I had no choice but to accept his wise recommendation.