Deciding on A Doctor

[CrazyKelly]

I have a solid adnexal mass(3.5cm) and will be going for a hysterectomy soon (need to schedule a date).  I have symptoms of bloating, pelvic pain, back pain, terrible menstrual cycles, and additional sharp pain on my left side.  I also have endometriosis and a uterine fibroid so it's hard to decipher my symptoms.  
Anyway, I do not live in an area that has an GYN/ONC.  The closest one is about an hour away.  I'm considering scheduling my hyst at a larger center away but, will have to wait longer to get it scheduled.  I'm going nuts with worry and the more I read, the less I sleep.  Not sure if I should go ahead and have the hysterectomy now and try not to worry that it's more than "just a mass".  
I guess I'm wondering how many people have used a regular vs. onc gyn and your experiences.
Thank you.

[Brownie3321]

Hello there. It is VERY important to have a specialist gyn/onc perform your surgery. You only have one chance to get it right. I would recommend seeking out a gyn/onc. Best of luck, and keep us updated, Deandra

[iona1]

I knew nothing about a GYN/ONC until my mother had symptoms of Ovarian Cancer.  She was first referred to a Gen Onc who quickly referred her to a GYN/ONC.  The Gen Onc felt that it was in my mother's best intestest to go to someone who specializes.  
Living in NYC, I am fortunate to have many choices for treatment, however, my family who is in the south, have traveled 2-3 hours to larger hospitals that are more equipped. With any surgery it is in your best interest if possible to go to those that know it the best.

I wish you all the best with whichever method you choose.

[PPhelps]

I copied this from an article awhile back ago.

What can a gyn-onc do that other doctors can't?
Not only do gyn-oncs learn to do surgery on the female reproductive system, but on all the organs of the pelvic and abdominal tissues and organs which may be involved if cancer has spread.  Perhaps most importantly, they are extensively trained in the vital techniques of surgical staging and cytoreductive surgery (also called "debulking").  These procedures can ultimately be a matter of life and death.  In Susan's case, for example, accurate surgical staging did not take place.  Even when other specialists perform surgical staging procedures, they are less likely to do it accurately than gyn-oncs. Finding the exact stage of the cancer is vital to planning the best treatment.  In the case of cytoreductive surgery, gyn-oncs simply do a better job of finding and removing tumors that have spread in the pelvic and abdominal areas.

Another advantage to seeing a gyn-onc is that one doctor can manage all the treatment for a patient, since they are trained both as a surgeon and a specialty oncologist.  They can prescribe and oversee all aspects of a woman's treatment, and are the most likely professional to be well-versed in the latest treatments in the area, including experimental ones.