Total hysterectomy vs just removing cystic ovary

A 10x8 cm complex cyst was discovered in my left adnexa 1 week ago.  US & MRI reports both call it "highly suspicious" for ovarian neoplasm.  I am scheduled for laparotomy this Tuesday.  Due to how quickly surgery was scheduled - I'm very scared.
I know if the pathology comes back positive - everything gets taken out (and more if necessary) My Dr. said I had to let her know if I want a total hysterectomy IF the pathology shows negative for cancer or just the cystic ovary removed.  I don't know what to expect if I go for total hysterectomy.  The Dr advised that if I don't have the total - I could get more cysts & more surgery.  I am 44 years old.  What happens when you go through menopause in 1 day ??  I'm think I am going to have the total anyway - just so I never have to go through this week again !!!!

[temper]

I too will be having surgery on Oct 4th for the same reason. I went in for my annual checkup and he felt a cyst. My Dr. said that it is the size of a grapefruit. My CA 125 came back normal.That was some relief but I have opted for the total hysterectomy because I'm tired of feeling bad all the time. Good luck

[EBAD]

Temper - Good luck to you on Tuesday - I hope we both have a speedy recovery.  Tomorrow My husband & I are going to move a bed into the living room so I won't have to use stairs until I'm ready.  I have not heard what my CA125 is yet, hopefully Monday. In a cruel twist of fate - I got my period today & have had awful cramps.  My husband is trying to get me to look at the bright side of the surgery and that I won't have to go through cramps anymore.

[temper]

Well, today is not a good day for me. I have had severe cramping and keep running to the bathroom. Hope this a symptom of the  ovarian cyst. Could be nerves. I am also 44 years old. I have faith that everything will turn out fine for both of us.

[troid]

i went in and had a ovary removed and 1 month later i was back so they could do a hysterectomy. i still have 1 ovary though, but i wish they would have just done the hysterectomy when they removed the first ovary, cuz going back under the knife in such little time sucks. i had an lavh and recovery went really well. so if i can suggest you having that done if possible, abdominal hysterectomy is a much longer and harder recovery. good luck to you ladies. let me know how it goes

[EBAD]

Surgery done on 10/4.  Only removed 1 ovary & tube.  Final pathology report was clear of cancer.  the cyst was 13 x 13 x 9 cm.  I am surprised at how good I feel (especially after a shower !!!)  I thought this would hurt 24/7.  I am moving around well but will not even attempt stairs until staples are removed next week.

[temper]

Surgery done 10/04. No cyst on right ovary. Had a totaly hysterectomy. The cyst is in my colon. Now I have to go for a Colonoscopy. My gyn said that is a protrusion filled cyst. Will see.
Glad to see that you are doing fine and everything turned out fine.

Temper

[tufmom]

Hi my name is Lorraine, I am 44yrs old and have three kids all grown and on their own. I also have a 5.5 cm ovarian cyst on my right side. I'm so confused about what to do. I'v looked at all kinds of articles but can't seem to fine any that really talk about Hormones or sex after a Hysterectomy. They don't know if it is Cancer or not. So I don't know if I should just have them take both my Ovaries, my Uterus and my Cervix. What is instant menopause going to be like?? With out my Uterus and Cervix what is sex going to be like?? I know things will be different, but how different?? I like my sex and I don't want to kill anyone because my Hormones will be out of wack. We are all different I know but I just need some ideas of what I might be facing. Any help PLEASE.

[EBAD]

Lorraine,  I thought I was going to have a choice of total hysterectomy or just the ovary.  Since the cyst was not cancerous, she took only the ovary & tube from the left side.  I was very worried about going into surgical menopause & I talked to an older neightbor about the effects of menopause & after that conversation it did not seem so scary.  Everyone is different & there are many products available to help reduce the side effects of menopause.  As glad as I am that she took only the one ovary, I am afraid that another cyst could form on my right ovary & I would have to go through the surgery again - which in retospect, really wasn't bad but I prefer not to have to do it again !!!!

[Scared&Confused]

Hi my name is Anita and on 7/13/07,the day after my 40th birthday,I went in for surgery to remove my left ovary and tube due to a cyst that I have been monitoring that developed nodularity.Thank God that it was not cancerous,and that I did not have a hysterectomy! I was not a candidate for laparotomy, so they had to cut through the abdomen which was really not as bad as I expected. After reading all of your comments, I am wondering if I should have gotten the complete hysterectomy as a preventative measure to avoid going for another surgery down the road. Does anyone really know what the chances are of another cyst forming? I lost my Mother to colorectal cancer in 1995, she was only 50 years old, and am terrified of  the thought of any cancer.I went for my first colonoscopy and endoscopy in Feb of 2005 and am waiting until I am fully recovered from this surgery to go for the second time.Does anyone have good advice or a similar situation to mine that they feel like sharing with me to put my mind at ease? I also was wondering what the likelihood of my becoming pregnant is, as I have no children and desperately want atleast one, but now I have 2 strikes against me....I am already 40, so time is running out, and I only have one ovary. My periods are also irregular and I don't know if it was due to the cyst,or now maybe it could be as a result of the surgery 2 weeks ago, or maybe it is because I might be entering perimenopause(the only reason I think this is because I get really bad hot flashes and night sweats) I would love any help or advice that anyone can share with me and wish you all the best of luck with whatever you are going through!   THANK YOU

[Rreba]

Hi, Anita.  I am 40 also and facing the same situation you just went through.  I too have a cyst/endometrioma on my left ovary that seems to have developed a nodule.  I also have a cyst on the right ovary but it is smaller and less concerning.  I am scheduled for a laparoscopy on Aug. 2nd, which was originally scheduled as an exploratory surgery before the nodule was found but now the doctor is planning on removing the left ovary.  I was also asked if I wanted my uterus out, which I quickly replied "no" to but now I find myself reconsidering it.  I have two children and do not plan on having any more, so maybe I should have it out, especially if I have endometriosis.  The only problem is, I won't know for sure until they go in and look, so it is kind of hard to make the decision beforehand.

As for you, I think you made the right decision not to have the hysterectomy if you want to have a child.  You can always get that done later on should you develop any further problems.  Just make sure you go for regular visits with your doctor so he can monitor you.  I wouldn't worry to much about it if it was your first cyst.  I know it is possible to be nearing perimenopause at your age but I'm sure you still have a chance of concieving.  I know many women who have had babies in their 40's.  If you were having trouble before, it may have been due to the cyst.  As far as the hot flashes and night sweats go, I'd ask the doctor about it.  You never know if it could be due to something else.

Out of curiosity, do you know what type of cyst that you had?

[bsa]

i am 38 had a  abdominal hysterectomy when i was 35 now the ovary he left to keep me out of early menopause is getting cysts....... here i was thinking if everything else was gone i wouldnt have this problem anymore.... but i was wrong....  i have pain and right now there are about 5 cysts and one is about 1inch in diameter....  okay i am seriously worried about this.....  not to mention in pain.. he did give me a painkiller and i have to go back in a month to have another ultrasound....  

[justscore]

Sounds like what I went through as well.  I wanted everything removed 2 yrs ago at age 36.  The Dr would not take the ovaries and exactly 2 yrs later (because of severe pain and clusters of cysts and an elevated CA125) I finally had the ovaries removed.  I was extremely lucky and it all was non cancerous!  I had hot flashes the day after surgery and am on a low dose of HRT to counteract the Meonpause.  Things are so much better now that the root of the pain has been removed.  I get extensive scar tissue and adhesions and that will always be an issue with me, but feeling SO MUCH better.  Good luck to you and I hope things go well!!!

[bsa]

thanks for the luck....  i am just having a rough time right now with this... i have almost doubled my pain meds and i guess it is time to get it removed....  out of curiousity how was the second surgery???   i mean recovery time etc.....  any information would help.....  i remember by last surgery and i was laid up for two weeks without even being able to drive..... is it just as bad the second time around...   glad you are feeling better though.....  thanks again for the info

[lillith]

Hi. I just had surgery on the 27th of July for a 25cm x 15cm cyst on my left ovary.  I lost my right ovary when I was eight.  Honestly if I had kids or didn't feel the need to have my husband's child then I would have opted for the total hysterectomy.  I worry that what's left is going to cause me major problems in the future but it's a chance I'm gonna take for him.  Having to take meds for the rest of your life is such a smaller price to pay than more surgery.

[justscore]

2 years ago at age 36, I had my uterus removed beacuse of severe endo.  I wanted everything removed but because of my age, they would not take the ovaries.  Almost exactly 2 years later I had another laparotomy to remove the ovaries.  I had clusters of cysts, pain and an elevated CA125.  I was lucky that it was benign but very frustrated that I was going thru it all again.  With my 1st surgery, I had wound separation lasting 12 weeks and had several infections.  This past April I also had wound separation aagin lasting about 12 weeks but was on antibiotics almost 10 weeks.  I just can't help think that all this could have been avoided 2 yrs ago.............
I was lucky and had already been blessed with twins and was not able to have more children so I felt I was done with all my "parts'.  Since April, I have felt better than I have felt in so many years and the menopause symptoms hit me after day 1.  I do take a very low dose of estrogen and have not had any addition problems **fingers crossed**

It's a life altering, very personal, decision and I wish luck and a speedy recovery!

[nomadgrrl]

I am 41.  At 40 I was diagnosed with Uterine Fibroid Tumors.  They were big and bothersome so I opted for the less invasive option of UFE (uterine fibroid embolization).  I had that done on 1-March-2007.  By 27-April I was in excruciating pain.  I was told that I had to hold out for 6 MONTHS, which is when I get a follow up MRI to see if the embolization took.  By 1-September I was waiting with my finger poised over the IR's (Interventional Radiologist) number.  Had my f/u only to find out that the embolization was a smashing success and the only thing that could've been causing such horrible pain was either diverticulitis or the 5 cm cyst on my left ovary.  Since I had a CT to rule out diverticulitis in July and an US to check things out after the CT and the only things they found were fibroid tumors and a 4 cm cyst on my left ovary I'm going with the cyst as the root cause of all my problems.  I'm opting for removal of just my left ovary to see how I feel after that.  Wish me luck!!

[Kadiew32]

OMG, your story sounds just like mine. I had stage 4 endo and I was in so much pain. I had surgery in 2003 to remove the endo. It helped for about 2 years and the pain came back. I decided that I was going to have a hysterectomy. My husband was in Iraq and came home for his 2 weeks and I got preg. I am so glad I waited. Well after I had my son in Aug 2005, I decided to go ahead with the hysterectomy. I had my surgery in Dec 2005. It was my decision to leave my ovaries, well I am paying for it now. I have been in and out of the doc for the past year. I have 2 large, over 6cm cyst on my left ovary and 3 on my right. I am in constant pain. My back hurts again and I have severe cramping. We are not sure if it is cancer. I wish I had went ahead and got them taken out when I had the chance. The Dr. wanted to remove them when I had my hysterectomy but me hoping i wouldnt suffer early menopausewanted them. If I could just go back!!! If anyone has any advice for me please let me know. I do have a preop appointment but not until Oct 31st.  

[Debilu]

I am 53 years old and have had complex cysts monitored since 1997. THe left one disappeared the right had shrunk but is still 2.58 by 1.53. I have pain but  can stand it. I have continual fatigue which I have had every blood test in the world for..no results. Has anyone been plauged with the fatigue or anyone relieved of it as a result of having ovaries removed? Are my ovaries doing anything anymore...I had a child at 42 and stopped having periods totally by age 46.

[CHHA]

I'm 42 and have had major uterine pain since I was about 30 in my uterus.   I've had test after test and noone can seem to figure out what's wrong other than endo., fibroids and cysts. I had surgery to remove fibroids and cysts and as mentioned above, the pain came back with a venegence anyway a year or so later.   At 40 I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.  The fear or ovarian, cervitcal, uterine cancer had taken over my life.  I'm tired of being in pain but tired of surgeries also.   I'm now leaning towards a total hysterectomy in the hopes that my fears and pain are alleviated in some form.   My pain has become more and more constant and is now a daily challenge to deal with.  So, I'm looking at the non-invasive hysterectomey using the davinchi method where they use a robot to do the sugery.   Interesting approach.

[cirella]

Hi there, this original post is from 2005.  If you'd like to post your own questions you may get more responses.  Also, there is an ovarian cyst forum that you may find helpful.  

Take care.

[CT472009]

Hi I am 47 yrs old. Just found out I have a cyst on my left ovary that is 10 cm. I am scared to death and confused. doctor wants to do a comp.
hysterectomy but I dont know what it is gonna do to my body physically. I am scared to death of the surgery, I cannot sleep at night worrying about it.
What happens to my insides? Do they cave in or what happens.
I am very weight conscious and am dreading a huge belly afterwards.
Is there alot of weight gain afterwards.

[HealthCareforAmericaNow]

I had full hysterectomy at age 32 due to uterine fibroids and cysts on both ovaries.  No cancer.  No hormones.  I took them one year and they made me feel horrible.  I've never felt better.  

My sister eight years ago was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (estrogen driven).  Gave her two years to live, she died in June of this year after battling the ***** for eight long years.  She was an awesome person and wanted to live so badly.  Bless her heart.

Now my other sister has fibroids and is having a hysterectomy soon.  I've encouraged her to have her ovaries removed because of the family history.  I don't think she's going to have them removed.  Where can I go to research this?  She's strictly listening to her doctor, which I never just listen to my doctor about my health.  I know my body better than anyone.  I take his advice and take that into consideration when evaluating my health.  

On a side note, which has nothing to do with my family history, my mother in-law had a hysterectomy about a year after I did and 10 years later she died of ovarian cancer.  She was 64 when she had the surgery.  Now why didn't they take her ovaries out while they were in there and at her age?  

I've always said hospitals and doctors do not make money off healthy human beings.