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What questions should I ask?
I am going to see my OBGYN on Thursday to determine what to do about a mildly complex 8x9x1.2 ovarian cyst in my left ovary. (When the cyst was 1st seen in Oct 2010 it was only 2.1x2.3, so it is definitely growing.) From everything I have been reading, in all likelyhood I expect to hear that I need surgery to remove it. As well, I have an extensive family history of cancer: my Mom's breast cancer, her Mom's either her breast or her ovarian cancer and my Dad's Mom's colon cancer all died because their cancer had mestatized into their liver.
I know I will need to ask whether the ovary will need to be removed or not, but what other questions are really important to ask? With my family background I know I am automatically in a higher risk category, but not sure what questions I should be asking in regards to those risks. As well, the one and only OB oncologists we had in town is no longer here, so going to someone who specializes in this is not an option for me. Any and all advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!!!
I know I will need to ask whether the ovary will need to be removed or not, but what other questions are really important to ask? With my family background I know I am automatically in a higher risk category, but not sure what questions I should be asking in regards to those risks. As well, the one and only OB oncologists we had in town is no longer here, so going to someone who specializes in this is not an option for me. Any and all advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thank you for your input. I will definitely be saying a prayer for you next week. I hope all goes well for you.
I talked to my aunt this morning about our family history and she wonders (and even suggested) if they will just go ahead and do a hysterectomy. With so much cancer history in my family I wonder if this would not be the best decision, as it would prevent further issues and save me from a possible second surgery down the road. At the same time, taking everything (all though I would ask them to leave me the right ovary to keep producing estrogen because we also have heart diease on my Mom's side) seems extreme if all this is just a cyst and nothing more. KWIM? I just know I am tired of waiting and wondering and will be glad to at least have an idea of what will be happening after tomorrow!!!
I talked to my aunt this morning about our family history and she wonders (and even suggested) if they will just go ahead and do a hysterectomy. With so much cancer history in my family I wonder if this would not be the best decision, as it would prevent further issues and save me from a possible second surgery down the road. At the same time, taking everything (all though I would ask them to leave me the right ovary to keep producing estrogen because we also have heart diease on my Mom's side) seems extreme if all this is just a cyst and nothing more. KWIM? I just know I am tired of waiting and wondering and will be glad to at least have an idea of what will be happening after tomorrow!!!
When I met with my Gyno I asked the following (my questions were mainly due to worrying about cancer):-
Likelyhood of cancer your age and increased risk due to family history? (not knowing at the time my Gran had radiation therapy to the pelvis in the 50's but no-one knows what for but she lived until she was 83, my Grandad died of colon cancer)
Size of cyst in relation to cancer? (this doesnt make a difference)
The fact it shows solid parts, but not irregular.
Recovery time for open surgery? Where he would cut me & what pain relief will I receive
Risks of surgery and anesthetic? (as with all surgeries there are risks)
Will they test the cyst during surgery or after?
Maybe ask your doctor to refer you to an oncologist near to your area and ask if they will conduct the surgery through Laparoscopy (Keyhole) or Lapartomy (Open incision). I have had keyhole and I recovered quickly and didnt find it painful at all, easier than I expected, but I am due Laportomy and dreading that recovery!
I am 35 and was diagnosed with a 10cm mass in October last year, thought to be an endometrioma, he went in(via keyhole) an drained it (shouldnt have done but thats another story) I didnt have an endometrioma, and 6 weeks later an ultrasound showed solid mixed echogenic mass, suspecting its a dermoid this time. I am hoping benign dermoid. I was scheduled for open surgery 11th January, only to find that I was pregnant (after 10 yrs of trying to conceive) miracle but bitter sweet because I so wanted the op too. Anyhow I have waited until my 2nd trimester and I am having it removed next week via laparotomy, I will be 14.5 weeks. Hopefully the baby will be fine, the cyst will be out and that will be the end of that. I am expecting recovery to be tough, especially my belly growing on a wide incision. But Gyno assured me I wont wake up in pain, and I can have morphine and pain meds that wont effect the baby, recovery I am told is different with different people, nurses have said some women have been fine and walked and wanted to go home next day!
Good luck to you, wish you all the best, Yvonne x
Likelyhood of cancer your age and increased risk due to family history? (not knowing at the time my Gran had radiation therapy to the pelvis in the 50's but no-one knows what for but she lived until she was 83, my Grandad died of colon cancer)
Size of cyst in relation to cancer? (this doesnt make a difference)
The fact it shows solid parts, but not irregular.
Recovery time for open surgery? Where he would cut me & what pain relief will I receive
Risks of surgery and anesthetic? (as with all surgeries there are risks)
Will they test the cyst during surgery or after?
Maybe ask your doctor to refer you to an oncologist near to your area and ask if they will conduct the surgery through Laparoscopy (Keyhole) or Lapartomy (Open incision). I have had keyhole and I recovered quickly and didnt find it painful at all, easier than I expected, but I am due Laportomy and dreading that recovery!
I am 35 and was diagnosed with a 10cm mass in October last year, thought to be an endometrioma, he went in(via keyhole) an drained it (shouldnt have done but thats another story) I didnt have an endometrioma, and 6 weeks later an ultrasound showed solid mixed echogenic mass, suspecting its a dermoid this time. I am hoping benign dermoid. I was scheduled for open surgery 11th January, only to find that I was pregnant (after 10 yrs of trying to conceive) miracle but bitter sweet because I so wanted the op too. Anyhow I have waited until my 2nd trimester and I am having it removed next week via laparotomy, I will be 14.5 weeks. Hopefully the baby will be fine, the cyst will be out and that will be the end of that. I am expecting recovery to be tough, especially my belly growing on a wide incision. But Gyno assured me I wont wake up in pain, and I can have morphine and pain meds that wont effect the baby, recovery I am told is different with different people, nurses have said some women have been fine and walked and wanted to go home next day!
Good luck to you, wish you all the best, Yvonne x
Thank you for your post. I am 41 years old and have four children, which I know helps my odds, but with so much cancer in my family I still worry a bit. Most of the time, I don't think about the possibility of it being cancer, just because the odds are in my favor, but every now again it really gets to me :o( I guess my mine concerns are the recovery and I wonder how extensive the surgery will be. Any suggestions on good questions to ask?
Hi,
Have you had a CA125 test? This is not entirely accurate blood test, but can give an indication of ovarian cancer that is of epithelial orgina (surface of the ovary and is most common form of ovarian cancer)
You dont say how old you are but if you are pre-menopausal odds are in your favour that this is a benign cyst, be it a dermoid or endometrioma which are common is pre-menopausal women and show as complex cysts on ultrasound.
Given the size that is it, it does need to be removed especially as it has grown quite quickly, as pathlogy is the only way to tell if the cyst is benign or malignant.
Unfortunately I dont have an Gyno oncologist either, just a Gyno, I am in the UK and the way they work it here is Gyno's remove ovarian cysts, and only if its tested malignant afterwards are you referred to a oncologist for further surgery/treatment. (unless they are 100% sure its cancer before surgery they will refer you to a Gyno/oncologist)
I hope you get surgery sorted soon, as this is the only way for true diagnosis.
Best Wishes
Yvonne
Have you had a CA125 test? This is not entirely accurate blood test, but can give an indication of ovarian cancer that is of epithelial orgina (surface of the ovary and is most common form of ovarian cancer)
You dont say how old you are but if you are pre-menopausal odds are in your favour that this is a benign cyst, be it a dermoid or endometrioma which are common is pre-menopausal women and show as complex cysts on ultrasound.
Given the size that is it, it does need to be removed especially as it has grown quite quickly, as pathlogy is the only way to tell if the cyst is benign or malignant.
Unfortunately I dont have an Gyno oncologist either, just a Gyno, I am in the UK and the way they work it here is Gyno's remove ovarian cysts, and only if its tested malignant afterwards are you referred to a oncologist for further surgery/treatment. (unless they are 100% sure its cancer before surgery they will refer you to a Gyno/oncologist)
I hope you get surgery sorted soon, as this is the only way for true diagnosis.
Best Wishes
Yvonne
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