Type of Surgery

[sue3576]

I am new to this forum.  I was diagnosed with a 6 cm cyst on my ovary back at the end of June via TVUS.  I had gone for the ultrasound as a result of severe abdominal pain they thought might have been a kidney stone, which it was not.  They suggested I wait a few months and have another ultrasound.  At the end of September the cyst was 7 cm.  They said it appears fluid filled with some "echos".  They think it is probably not cancer, but of course and has I have read, no one will know for sure until surgery.  My family doc had suggested that I see a gyne and said it would be a simple laparoscopic procedure.  Now after seeing the gyne earlier this week, he sent me for a CA-125 blood test and suggested that he will do surgery as the cyst is too large.  He also said he will not be able to do the surgery as a laparoscopy as the cyst is too big.  He said it will be an abdominal surgery requiring 4-6 weeks recovery (I had 2 previous c-sections so he suggested that the incision would be the same).  I am really upset and really worried.  Obviously I am really scared it could be cancer and I don't want another big surgery and recovery time.  Has anyone had large cysts removed with a laparocopy?  (I am sure I am spelling that wrong...sorry)....
I don't know if I should go for a 2nd opinion?  Does anyone have any advice?  Worried :((

[sue3576]

Wow, your situation really sounds like mine.  I also had 2 previous c-sections and a gallbladder surgery.  They didn't mention the scar tissue but I'm sure that could be a possibility.  I had to have a CA125 blood test and I go back to see the gyne on Nov. 11th I guess to find out the results of that and decide when and how to do this surgery.  He did say if I was adamant about wanting the lapro surgery that he would "ask around" and see if anyone in Toronto could do it, but I'm not sure how to take that.  I don't want them to mess up but I also don't want the big surgery if I don't have to.  I'm confused :(( and I am scared too.  Not gonna lie.  I've had so many surgeries, I don't want another one.
When is your surgery scheduled for?

[bearx2]

I have a 10cm ovarian tumor, just found out friday.  I will be having surgery soon.  My question is, what is the difference between an ovarian tumor and an ovarian cysct?  Also, she said she was going to do it laprocopically (sp?).....do you usually have to stay in overnight for that?  She's also removing my left ovary and tube....it's on top of my uterus.  

Thanks,

[tee888]

Hello, I too also have the same exact problem as you,my ovary is filled with fluid and is 9 cm large,my Dr. told me he cant do a laparoscopy because of the size he is going to do another procedure called a Laperdectomy(I know I didn't spell correct)I also have a 4-6week recovery time and a 2 day hospital stay,I can't tell you not to be scared when I am scared to but I just keep telling myself everything is going to be fine.  My Dr. doesn't know what causes this,but he also said I was loaded with scar tissue, I had 2 c-sections and an appendectomy plus 3-4 laparoscopies.  Please take care  I am praying for everyone including you.

[ireneo]

I'm post menopausal (now 56) and they found a cyst last winter. Mine was a 10 cm cyst. My doctor told me she was going to try to remove it laparascopically but if they ran into problems, she would open me up. Turned out well - she bagged it, removed it all through the small incisions. Plus it was benign.

In your case, because you've had previous abdominal surgeries, they may find adhesions that can gum up the works and make it more difficult. Perhaps that's why your doctor said he wanted to do the open incision. You could ask him or go for a second opinion. This is just my guess.

[chrissie42]

Hi Sue,  i am 4 weeks post op and i had to have a football size cyst removed my scare rums from my pubic bone to my tummy buttom and i to had a high CA125 but thank god.. no cancer
at the end of the day it is better to have the thing out any way the Doc thinks best, as you will then be free to get on with life
chris

[Sandymac]

Yep.. I didn't see it (your age) at first. Mine is out there for the whole world to see without clicking on my name !! LOL

Actually ages are sort of categorized by premenopausal  with cysts being very very common or post menopausal when one may still get them (like me) but we aren't subject to as many other factors like endometriosis, etc. which can throw the ca-125 test results off. Functional cysts for instance happen with ovulation and that is excluded of course with older gals.. All this to say 44 is young ..

Do keep us posted and try not to worry...
Sandy

[sue3576]

Sorry, I meant to send that last message to you.  I'll get used to this eventually!

[sue3576]

Sorry, I thought I had put my age in the profile.  I am 44 years old.  Is that young or old in the ovarian cyst world??
And thank you for the comment, you have made me feel some better.

[Sandymac]

Yes, there are women that have had larger cysts removed via laparoscopy but every patient is different and your Dr. will be the one to determine if a laparotomy is in order or not.. The laparotomy is a bit more involved and recovery is a bit longer.. The laparascopic recovery is only a few weeks.

Don't worry too much about the CA-125 blood test... You didn't indicate your age.. (would be a good idea to update your "profile" since this information is important in how you are diagnosed and treated) But... cysts are very very common in younger women. The CA-125 is not reliable in younger women since there are so many factors that can elevate the numbers. In older patients, the CA-125 does carry a little more weight. .Please don't worry yourself about cancer at this point in time. Cysts are very, very common and 95 % benign.. However it's a good idea to have the larger cysts investigated and removed since they can "twist" or even rupture (don't want to scare you) and you don't want that to happen !!

I'm sure there will be others with larger cysts that will share their experiences, but in the meantime, try not to worry and keep us posted.

Sandy