Seems very radical

[Okaay]

I am 46 years old, and have been diagnosed with a 2cm complex ovarian cyst, I had a HP4 blood test which was 106. I was then referred to a gyn who has said that I need to have a total hysterectomy with effected ovary removed and both fallopian tubes as well.
This seems like a huge opertion for a query of ovarian cancer, given that my health is good and that I have no symptoms of ovarian cancer. I have thickening of the uterine walls and also calcification of part of uterus. My last pap smear was clear, and have been clear for 20 years.
My question is: is he taking this too far ? I feel he should perform a biopsy whilst I am on the table BEFORE going ahead and performing a total hysterectomy. I can understand if he wants to take the one ovary and the top part of my uterus, but not why he wants to remove the entire uterus and cervix.

[old_before_my_time]

I had not thought of that - using the biopsy results (assuming they are negative as will likely be the case) to prove that the HP4 test is not accurate. It would be great if we can stop these gynecologic surgeons from ripping out women's organs unnecessarily. I don't know what the stats are in Australia but in the U.S. 1 in 3 women has a hysterectomy by age 60 and 1 in 2 by age 72 yet only about 2% are done fro a cancer diagnosis. I was just reading a 2009 study that said 78% of women lose healthy ovaries at the time of hysterectomy. My gosh, they would NEVER remove a man's healthy testicles. They would get sued for millions!

I hope your surgery goes well and proves that your sex organs are not a ticking time bomb as many gyns would like us to believe. When is the surgery?

[Okaay]

Because of this scare and because of how close I came to getting healthy (hopefully) ovaries removed and getting a total hysterectomy - all of which came about because of a scan and a blood test that indicated I was a strong possibility of having a malignant cancer, I want to talk to people and agencies and make them aware just how flawed the testing is, if I can do something - anything to stop women from having unneccessary surgery then i will do it. I want to PROVE how flawed the testing is - so I want to get a complete clearance of cancer and then share these results with Ovarian Cancer Australia, and other women so that they can make informed choices.

[Okaay]

No,no history at all, I'm just ruling everything out. I don't trust the blood test (HP4), and it was the blood test that indicated cancer, so I'm going for the biopsy to completely rule it out.
Yes,I'm having a laparoscopy to get biopsies of the ovaries, I agree it's unusual, but I want to get the all clear, this whole thing has freaked me out, and I won't sleep until I know exactly what is and isn't going on.

I had just finished my cycle - I was thinking the same thing as you, and the endometrium is still thick in places, plus there's calcification, so I want that scraped and examined.

[old_before_my_time]

Do you have a family history of ovarian cancer hence the reason for wanting your ovaries biopsied even though the cyst is gone? Are you saying they are going to do surgery to remove tissue from your ovaries to biopsy?? I have not heard of this being done.  

As far as your lining - Did the u/s show that it is still thickened? Have you ever had a u/s right after your period to see if the lining is being sloughed off? It is normal for the lining to get up to 16mm. An endometrial biopsy is less invasive than a D&C if you are concerned about the thickening possibly being hyperplasia.

[Okaay]

I had the ultra sound - my request AND the cyst has resolved.
The specialist suggested that I get another blood test without any surgery, I declined as the blood test is what screwed everything up, instead I suggested that we do biopsies on both ovaries - which he agreed to, and he also suggested a curette, which I am agreeing to, my attitude is 'let's get the all clear on EVERTHING'.

I'm over the moon.

[Totie]

If you are uncomfortable DO NOT GET THE SURGERY!!!!

Get a second opinion...