Mass between uterus and ovary

[Winikor]

A 2" mass was discovered on my right side after a vaginal ultrasound followed by an MRI with and without contrast.  The oncologist, who is very highly recommended, also did a biopsy of the uterus itself, not the mass.  I don't have the results of that yet.  I'm 63 and was told by the oncologist that it's rare.  He said he will attempt to remove the mass first (laproscopic and robotic), if it starts to bleed a lot then he'll do a hysterectome (which I actually prefer at this stageof my life).  I was just wondering if these things are usually benign, if anyone has any thoughts on either doing it robotic or not.  Also, what is the down time?  If not benign, G-d forbid, what can I expect afterwards?  I'm really scared now.  Please shed some light on this.

[shewrites]

I've never heard of spindle cells, so I can't comment on that at all.  I'm guessing that it won't turn out to be ovarian cancer, so you'll have to educate us on what you do have.  

I had regular surgery, not lap, and I was told to expect healing to take six weeks.  I was back at my desk (I worked at home at the time) within a week -- partly because the chair was more comfortable for me than the too-low sofa.  In fact, my husband drove me to a convention about seven weeks later. ( He served as my "bag man" so I didn't have to do any heavy lifting.  )

Did you end up with lap surgery?  Even if you did, you've had "everything" taken out and so you need to heal.  Some women have painful internal scarring.  Look at the health pages (lowest item in the righthand column) for information on surgical adhesions;  and ask your doctor if those exercises might help your recovery.

I'm glad the doctor sent your  pathology report to Johns Hopkins.  They're one of the better places to get a second opinion.  

Hope you're feeling better now;  please don't rush back to work if you don't feel up to it.  Perhaps when you start back, it would be part-time?  

Good luck ... and happy holidays!  

[Winikor]

Pathology Report came back as atypical spindle cell lesion for the mass and the biopsy of the pelvic wall they also found spindle cells.  They sent the report to John Hopkins for further study and I understand this will take a few weeks until I hear anything back.  I sent a copy of the report to a doctor friend of mine who had it read by a pathologist.  He said that the report is mostly positive as to the stain tests and the fact that the cells are all the same shape or size (not sure exactly how he put it) but that I should let him know when the results come in b/c if it's malignant, he has spindle cell doctors he can refer me to.  It's been now 17 days since surgery.  I was doing better at first, I seem to be really tired now, appetite poor and haven't been able to go back to work yet.  I'm hoping that I will this coming Monday.  I really thought I was out of the woods and hope that will be the case when the report comes back from John Hopkins.  

[Winikor]

I was wondering if I could get some info on how long after a laprascopic hysterectomy I need to wait to go back to work (at a desk job).  Are my insides fragile? Are there stitches inside?  Don't know much about how it is inside afterwards.  I know it sounds strange but I guess I just never questioned it and don't want to go back to work and have any internal problems.  I do have my post up 2 weeks after surgery, am I supposed to wait for that appt to get a clearance for work?  I'm also having low grade fever, my face, lets and arms feel hot.  Spoke to the dr.'s office and he said it's the withdrawal of the progesterone (took it for 14 years).  I do wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat since the surgery.  I guess that should be it, eh?
Thank you again for lending an ear!

[shewrites]

Glad to hear that things went well.  Do keep in touch with questions, etc.  

Kudos to your daughter.  Helping you may make her feel better, you know;  sometimes we feel worse if we're concentrating on ourselves rather than others.  

[Winikor]

Thank you so much for your reply.  My surgery went well and the mass had grown from the size of a walnut to a baseball in 3 weeks.  The oncologyst/surgeon said that it was a pre cancerous mass.  They analyzed 3 small pieces of the mass and it came back benign and he said he cleaned me out, took everything out.  Now we have to wait until next week for the pathology report to come in on the entire mass.  My daughter is so happy that it went so well.  She's on her way here with food and is being so sweet and helpful.  She is really a blessing.  I'm very fortunate.  You're right she has been fighting for me.  She's not well herself so I don't like burdening her with my health issues.
Thanks again for your support and your good wishes!

[shewrites]

Hope the surgery goes well -- and on time.  (My doc was several hours late, and waiting was the hardest part of the whole deal.)  Take the advice of the nurses and doctors about your recovery.  You'll do fine -- and so will your daughter.  Let her help you out a bit during recovery (grocery shopping, a bit of house cleaning, driving you places, etc.) so she'll feel she's fighting for you, too.    

[Winikor]

Thanks.  Yes, trying to get ready but I've been so busy, haven't had time to think about it.  I didn't know it takes awhile for the pathology report to come back.  I was told that they would analyze the mass and if it's malignant, then they would remove the lymph nodes.  Hoping for the best.  My daughter's very upset and I feel awful about putting her thru this.  Thanks again for your time, advice and support!

[shewrites]

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.  Sounds to me like you're emotionally prepared for this surgery, so I'm sure you'll do fine.  Sometimes it takes awhile (days) to get the pathology report back, but your doctor will have a good idea of your situation after the surgery, I'm sure.  Good luck and God bless ...

[Winikor]

Just wanted to tell you that after reading your post I spoke with my gyn and he also agreed that a complete hysterectomy was the best course of action.  Also, I've been spotting and having cramps.  One more week and I'll be having the surgery.  Won't know much until I wake up from it.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and thanks again for your support!

[Winikor]

First, congratulations on your new grandson (per your profile as I clicked on your name).  I thank you so much for your reply.  I am going to gyn/oncologist (should have mentioned it).  You are right and I didn't think of that.  If he begins to try and detach the mass from the uterous and it ruptures, if it is malignant, the cells could spread.  I was actually hoping for a hysterectome at this point so I don't have to deal with these things in the future.  Thank you for your encouragement and you're right, it is pretty small.  Neither my gyn nor the gyn/onc sounded too reassuring, I guess that's why I"m a little nervous.  However, my gastro who looked aqt the report of the MRI said that id didn't show any abnormal cells outside of the mass and he highly recommended my gyn/onc.  He made me feel better for sure.  

It's really comforting to know that there are people who take the time, as you did, to inform and comfort those who are anxious about their particular condition.  Thank you again!

[shewrites]

Please be sure that you are working with a gyn/oncologist.  They have more training and they get better results -- whether your condition is benign or malignant.  Not a gynecologist and not an oncologist -- a gyn/oncologist, please.  

I'm a little alarmed at the idea that he'll see how it goes, it might bleed, etc  If an ovarian tumor ruptures, and  it is cancerous, then the cancer cells can be spread in your pelvis.  Not good.  

A 2 inch tumor is pretty small, and it sounds like the doctor is expecting it to be benign.   Also, there are other female cancers that are easier to cure than ovarian.   In other words, try to stay  positive -- there's plenty of time to worry when you know what to worry about.