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Ovarian Teratoma
Hi, I'm only 18 years old and just the other day I was told I had an ovarian teratoma. It is 11cm by 7 cm by 8cm. I'm guessing the procedure cannot be done through an open surgery? The only thing I'm worried about is how fast the recovery is and/or what the experience is like after having the surgery. How long will it take for me to get back to school? (I know it's kind of silly, but I'm more concerned with missing school and work). As long as they get this thing out of me, I'll be happy considering how much it hurts at times. If anyone can share their experiences with me I'd really appreciate it. Thank you.
I am glad that you might not need surgery, thats some good news. As for the birth control.........it can help prevent cysts as it stops ovulation but most of the pills today are low dose so they do not work as well as the old high dose ones. The old ones have more side affects such as weight gain associated with them. I have been on BC ever since my surgery but I have still get cysts. I even have one they say probably won't ever go away, still not sure what that means. I hope everything goes well for you and make sure you ask lots of questions of your Dr., I always write them down as I think of them and take the list in.........then you don't forget any!
Hey everyone, I just wanted to say THANK YOU very much for taking the time to post a comment for me. I really appreciated hearing your personal stories and feedback. I just wanted to keep you updated...
Well, I went to the surgeon on Tuesday to see what she thought. I was told it most likely isn't a teratoma like they had originally told me, but that it's a big sucker! Aparently the growth is more fluid than solid, which is good. I have to wait 6 weeks (mid Dec.) when I'll be given another ultrasound to determine if it's still there. I guess they said sometimes this kind of growth can go away by itself, so that's what we're hoping in order to avoid surgery. If it's still there after the 6 weeks, then I'll definetly have to have surgery. But until then, if I get any more pain attcks, then I'll have ot go in to ER and have the surgery done then. So I'll guess we'll see what happens.
By the way, did anyone have to go on birth control after surgery? They told me whether or not it goes away, I'll be put on birth control to prevent any more growths.
Thanks, mn747
Well, I went to the surgeon on Tuesday to see what she thought. I was told it most likely isn't a teratoma like they had originally told me, but that it's a big sucker! Aparently the growth is more fluid than solid, which is good. I have to wait 6 weeks (mid Dec.) when I'll be given another ultrasound to determine if it's still there. I guess they said sometimes this kind of growth can go away by itself, so that's what we're hoping in order to avoid surgery. If it's still there after the 6 weeks, then I'll definetly have to have surgery. But until then, if I get any more pain attcks, then I'll have ot go in to ER and have the surgery done then. So I'll guess we'll see what happens.
By the way, did anyone have to go on birth control after surgery? They told me whether or not it goes away, I'll be put on birth control to prevent any more growths.
Thanks, mn747
Hi,
I was 24 when I was diagnosed with an immature teratoma on my left ovary. I am now 28 and everything is fine! My surgeon described the size of it as "a small watermelon" at the time. Due to the size I had to have major surgery with left me with a scar about 6 inches from my bellybutton down.
Your recovery time will depend on what kind of surgery they do. If it is small enough to do a small incision (I think that is the laporotomy?) then recovery is quicker. I was diagnosed in late August and was supposed to be returning to university in September. I was told not to do anything strenuous for 3 months after the surgery therefore I couldn't begin that semester. I was going across the country by myself so that may have been part of the issue, as was the timing of it.
After the surgery, (I had my left ovary and fallopian tube removed) I remained in hospital for 4 days. THey keep you in until your bowels start to work again (they basically shut down in surgery). After that I was at home, it is very sore for the first 2 weeks and I felt very tired. I was in pretty good shape before the surgery but directly afterward I could barely make it around the block! They encouraged walking after the surgery but that is about it. For 3 months I wasn't allowed to much (no working out, vacuuming, sit-ups, heavy lifting ect...). Your Dr. will probably tell you to avoid gassy food right after surgery too.
I started to get a little stir crazy after awhile but at least I didn't have to vacuum! 3 years after surgery I still get sharp pains once in awhile but my Drs. think that it is probably due to scar tissue. For follow up treatment, I get bloodwork done and go for a yearly CAT scan.
I was also concerned about getting pregnant with only one ovary but I was assured that my other ovary kicks into high gear and my chances remain the same after surgery as before. You still get your period every month and not every 2nd month like I thought you might!
Hopefully this answers some of your questions and if you have any more my email is kristi_garrod at hotmail.com.
I was 24 when I was diagnosed with an immature teratoma on my left ovary. I am now 28 and everything is fine! My surgeon described the size of it as "a small watermelon" at the time. Due to the size I had to have major surgery with left me with a scar about 6 inches from my bellybutton down.
Your recovery time will depend on what kind of surgery they do. If it is small enough to do a small incision (I think that is the laporotomy?) then recovery is quicker. I was diagnosed in late August and was supposed to be returning to university in September. I was told not to do anything strenuous for 3 months after the surgery therefore I couldn't begin that semester. I was going across the country by myself so that may have been part of the issue, as was the timing of it.
After the surgery, (I had my left ovary and fallopian tube removed) I remained in hospital for 4 days. THey keep you in until your bowels start to work again (they basically shut down in surgery). After that I was at home, it is very sore for the first 2 weeks and I felt very tired. I was in pretty good shape before the surgery but directly afterward I could barely make it around the block! They encouraged walking after the surgery but that is about it. For 3 months I wasn't allowed to much (no working out, vacuuming, sit-ups, heavy lifting ect...). Your Dr. will probably tell you to avoid gassy food right after surgery too.
I started to get a little stir crazy after awhile but at least I didn't have to vacuum! 3 years after surgery I still get sharp pains once in awhile but my Drs. think that it is probably due to scar tissue. For follow up treatment, I get bloodwork done and go for a yearly CAT scan.
I was also concerned about getting pregnant with only one ovary but I was assured that my other ovary kicks into high gear and my chances remain the same after surgery as before. You still get your period every month and not every 2nd month like I thought you might!
Hopefully this answers some of your questions and if you have any more my email is kristi_garrod at hotmail.com.
Wow! 18!!! They will most likely take the ovary. For me, that was a great concern. I too had an ovarian dermoid (teratoma) on my right ovary mesuring 11CM all the way around. They did a laporotomy which is a cut on the bikini line. kinda like the c-section cut. They took my ovary. I am soo depressed. I am a newlywed, and were trying to have a child. Finding this out, I know why it was so hard. I had surgery sept. 6th of 2005. 8 weeks ago. I am trying to get pregnant as soon as possible, because I dont want this to happen to me again, and then be left with no ovaries! I would die! Recovery time for me was about 2 weeks. to be able to get up and walk around. Just pre warning you, you might not be able to sleep on your side for awhile...I personally was in the hospital for 4 days after my surgery. I know that they usually keep a person at least one night. So, plan on being in the hosptial for a night. They might not have you stay the night, because ive heard they didnt do that with one of my friends. I guess it depends. Youll experience alot of gas though...burping the first day, and gas the second. You wont have a bowel movement for a few days...youll want to take milk of magnesia.(sp)If you have anymore questions my nickname here is the same on AOL. so feel free to contact me. my mail is the same just at aol. ANyway. Good luck, and keep me posted!!!
I'm 38, and got diagnosed yesterday (Oct 29) with 2 teratomas. One 10 cm on my left side and one 3 cm on my right side. I can sympathize with your pain!!! I was crying for a few hours yesterday from the pain. They gave me several meds for it, which didn't help much. My pain is in my armpit too. They suspect some fluid leaked from my left ovary, and travels to my armpit when I lie down, so I'm sleeping sitting up. Not very easy!
I'm going to the doctor tomorrow morning. Like you, I don't know what type of surgery I'll be having or what they plan to take out. In the next two weeks I was supposed to have my son's birthday party, fly out of town for a memorial mass and give someone a baby shower. Plus I'm in college and have papers due all the time. So much for most of that.
You can email me and we can compare notes. My email is txcla at yahoo.com. Sorry you're going through this. Sucks doesn't it? One minute everything's fine, the next minute you're facing surgery.
I'm going to the doctor tomorrow morning. Like you, I don't know what type of surgery I'll be having or what they plan to take out. In the next two weeks I was supposed to have my son's birthday party, fly out of town for a memorial mass and give someone a baby shower. Plus I'm in college and have papers due all the time. So much for most of that.
You can email me and we can compare notes. My email is txcla at yahoo.com. Sorry you're going through this. Sucks doesn't it? One minute everything's fine, the next minute you're facing surgery.
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