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hysterectomy for ovarian cyst
I have had a large unilocular ovarian cyst diagnosed on ultrasound and my CA125 blood test is normal. However my gynaecologist has suggested I have a hysterectomy, and not just remove the cyst and ovary. I am scared because does this mean he thinks I have cancer?
Sounds quite drastic. The CA125 is a tumour marker, so if it is normal it is unlikely you have cancer, although not impossible. I think the CA125 test is about 80% accurate, but they can also test for other tumour markers if they are concerned. The doctor shouldnt be keeping a suspicion of cancer from you, so if he hasnt mentioned it, you shouldnt be concerned.
Risk of cancer increases as we get older, you didnt mention your age or family history, they could affect the treatment. More than 95% of all ovarian cysts are benign, unilocular cysts are more than 99% benign according to some sites.
If you are younger than 40 your risk of cancer is very small. Once you are over 40 or especially if you are post menopause, your risk of cancer increases although benign cysts would still be most common.
Im struggling to find a definition of unilocular cysts when it comes to cyst types, but it appears to be a simple thin walled cyst? The kind that may even be a functional cyst? How big is it? How long have you had this cyst for?
It appears the most common treatment is watchful waiting to see if it resolves on its own, usually you would have a follow up US about 6 weeks after you were first diagnosed, see if the cyst resolves or shrinks - if so, happy days and maybe some more monitoring to make sure everything is good. If persistent or growing you would look at surgery to remove the cyst.
Hysterectomy on its own is to remove the womb, I believe they call it a full hysterectomy when removing ovaries, fallopian tubes and womb, Im guessing this is what your doctor is suggesting? It is a very big step to loose all your reproductive parts, especially loosing both ovaries would affect your life greatly. Even after you reached menopause, you still need your ovaries to produce hormones to keep your body functioning as it should. The only things justifying it would be a strong risk of cancer due to family history/blood tests indicating cancer or multiple problems which would be significantly improved by having a hysterectomy. If that doesnt sound like you, I would go for a second opinion or at the very least tell your doctor you want to keep your reproductive parts.
Usually surgery for a benign ovarian cyst consists of removing the cyst and damaged tissue, it could be just the cyst, cyst and half/whole ovary and/or fallopian tube.
Good luck
Risk of cancer increases as we get older, you didnt mention your age or family history, they could affect the treatment. More than 95% of all ovarian cysts are benign, unilocular cysts are more than 99% benign according to some sites.
If you are younger than 40 your risk of cancer is very small. Once you are over 40 or especially if you are post menopause, your risk of cancer increases although benign cysts would still be most common.
Im struggling to find a definition of unilocular cysts when it comes to cyst types, but it appears to be a simple thin walled cyst? The kind that may even be a functional cyst? How big is it? How long have you had this cyst for?
It appears the most common treatment is watchful waiting to see if it resolves on its own, usually you would have a follow up US about 6 weeks after you were first diagnosed, see if the cyst resolves or shrinks - if so, happy days and maybe some more monitoring to make sure everything is good. If persistent or growing you would look at surgery to remove the cyst.
Hysterectomy on its own is to remove the womb, I believe they call it a full hysterectomy when removing ovaries, fallopian tubes and womb, Im guessing this is what your doctor is suggesting? It is a very big step to loose all your reproductive parts, especially loosing both ovaries would affect your life greatly. Even after you reached menopause, you still need your ovaries to produce hormones to keep your body functioning as it should. The only things justifying it would be a strong risk of cancer due to family history/blood tests indicating cancer or multiple problems which would be significantly improved by having a hysterectomy. If that doesnt sound like you, I would go for a second opinion or at the very least tell your doctor you want to keep your reproductive parts.
Usually surgery for a benign ovarian cyst consists of removing the cyst and damaged tissue, it could be just the cyst, cyst and half/whole ovary and/or fallopian tube.
Good luck
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