Immature teratoma....Ovarian Cysts....so many questions.....

[GlendaS]

I posted on here back in the summer and was really encouraged by the responses I received. Here is a brief overview of my situation....A little over a year ago I had a very large tumor-immature teratoma stage IIIA, grades 0,1&2- at age 26, just 3 1/2 months after my son was born. I had a RSO and I still have my left ovary. I only have one child and really want to have more children. The laparotomy was done by my OBGYN and an oncologist together. After surgery, I found out that GYN/ONCs existed and I went to several for opinions. I had several pathology consults as well. Most of the GYN/ONCs recommended chemo, but I was privileged to be seen by a GYN/ONC that actually wrote a textbook chapter on immature teratoma. I live in NC, but his office is in OH, close to where my parents live. He said that I didn't necessarily have to have chemo if I didn't want to. He was confident that with all of the diagnostics available, we would be able to catch any sign of recurrence very early and since this type of cancer is very responsive to chemo, I could have chemo then and totally knock it out.
First of all, I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has had immature teratoma. It is so rare that I have not met a single other person who has had it.
Secondly, if you are out there, have you had problems with cysts on your remaining ovary? I have had several problems and was wondering if anyone knew of a way to get rid of them besides taking bc pills or surgery. I currently have 2 cysts. The largest one is only 4.1cm, but both together measure over 7cm.

[GlendaS]

Since my GYN/ONC is in OH, I have diagnostics done here with the OBGYN who did the surgery. I found out through ultrasound last Jan. that I had a very large cyst. I was on bc pills at the time and my OBGYN wanted to do laproscopic surgery to remove it.I faxed all of the info. to and called my GYN/ONC. He suggested that if I did not want surgery, I should get a CT/PET Scan and that I go on Lupron. My insurance would not pay for a CT/PET Scan. I talked to my OBGYN about both and he said that if I wanted to go on Lupron, he would put me on it, but that it would put me into menopause and that the first administration usually over-excites the ovary instead of shutting it down. While waiting during the appeals process with my insurance company, I decided not to do anything except alter my diet. I was very strict and avoided caffeine, dairy, soy or peanuts, junk food, fried foods and sweets, ate lots of vegetables and took A,C&E vitamins. My insurance never approved the CT/PET Scan, but I got it done for free. It showed no signs of cancer. By that time, The cyst had shrunk and by May it had completely dissolved. I then didn't have to go back to the dr.'s office until Sept. When I went for a physical in Sept. I had a small cyst on my ovary and had a bad pap test. Last month I had a sonogram and found out that the cyst had shrunk. I then found out I had a high-grade cervical lesion that I had removed through LEEP Procedure a couple of weeks ago. I decided to go off of bc pills because of pressure from my mom (she's been against them from the beginning for various reasons) and because of some of the things I read about them and their link to cervical cancer. So yesterday I go back and I have another ultrasound to check my ovary and that's where I am now. After the doctor saw how large the cysts where and the shape of the larger one, I had tumor markers taken (CA-125 and CA-19.9-both extremely elevated when I had cancer) and he wanted me to schedule laproscopic surgery. I told him I wanted to wait to see how the tumor markers come back and he was fine with that. I talked to him a couple of months ago about going off of the pill, but I actually forgot to mention that I did go off it yesterday. I am sure that he will call me with the test results because he's wanting to schedule surgery. When he does, as long as my tumor markers are normal, I will talk to him about seeing if I can try going back on the pill to see if it will help as well as being strict with my diet again (I have been slacking big time) and maybe put off surgery. If my tumor markers aren't normal or if he still tries to push surgery, I will send all of the info. to my GYN/ONC and call him. I don't think I will let my OBGYN do surgery on me, but I figure there's no point in calling the GYN/ONC until I have all of the information. So now I'm playing the waiting game.....I have started the strict diet again, but if anyone has any info. on getting rid of ovarian cysts it would be helpful. Thanks!

[RavenLady]

I am not who you are looking for Glenda and you are correct in that the immature teratoma is very rare and appears in young women like yourself.  I had a dermoid and brennor, both benign as I wish yours had been.  I am glad you found the Dr. who specializes in immature teratoma, as rare as they are!  So any opinion from that Doctor on the new cysts?  How long have they been around?  Although this should not be happening to a young Mother let any other women, you seem to be handling it remarkably well!  Keep us posted Glenda!  Mary V.