Aa
complex cyst with mass
I am a 58 year old that has just been told that I have a 10.9x9x4 cm cyst with mass after a MRI. They have done a blood text that I believe is called a ROA test not a CA125 & my GYN wants me to see a GYN oncologist. I'm worried that I do have cancer. All the related posts where from younger woman. Are there any older women that have gone through the same experience with a good outcome?
I was 49 years old when a suspicious looking 9.5cm ovarian cyst was discovered. Did I have a "good" outcome? Yes and no. Yes, in that I did not have cancer. No, in that my gynecologist removed all my organs anyway.
What he should have done when the frozen section came back benign (no cancer) was sew me back up and send me to recovery. Instead, he continued cutting and removing organs until all my female sex organs were gone. I have been paying the price ever since; it has been 8 years. I still regret having trusted my doctors and wish I had known more about how the hysterectomy industry "operates." My surgeon had been my gynecologist for 20 years. He did send me to an oncologist for consultation but evidently (based on my medical records), these two doctors "collaborated" to make this happen.
You did not say if you have an increased risk for ovarian cancer. If you do not, your chances of this being cancerous are very low. A woman's lifetime risk is less than 2% (1.4% per U.S. government statistics). MOST ovarian cysts, even after menopause, are benign.
The uterus, ovaries, and tubes have life-long, non-reproductive functions. The uterus and its ligaments are the structural supports for the pelvis. They keep the bladder and bowel in their proper positions as well as maintaining skeletal integrity (spine, rib cage, hip alignment). This is why women who have had hysterectomies have thick and shortened midsections and big bellies and usually back and hip problems long-term. The ovaries of intact women produce hormones into their 80's for good health and well-being. There are many medical studies that show the harm of hysterectomy and/or ovary removal.
Since hysterectomy is grossly overused with only 2% done for confirmed cancer and 76% not meeting ACOG criteria, you may need to see several doctors to get one who says you do not need any organs removed. And some doctors do not have good cystectomy (cyst removal) skills causing you to unnecessarily lose an ovary(ies).
Hope this helps! And I hope you can get conservative treatment versus over-treatment.
What he should have done when the frozen section came back benign (no cancer) was sew me back up and send me to recovery. Instead, he continued cutting and removing organs until all my female sex organs were gone. I have been paying the price ever since; it has been 8 years. I still regret having trusted my doctors and wish I had known more about how the hysterectomy industry "operates." My surgeon had been my gynecologist for 20 years. He did send me to an oncologist for consultation but evidently (based on my medical records), these two doctors "collaborated" to make this happen.
You did not say if you have an increased risk for ovarian cancer. If you do not, your chances of this being cancerous are very low. A woman's lifetime risk is less than 2% (1.4% per U.S. government statistics). MOST ovarian cysts, even after menopause, are benign.
The uterus, ovaries, and tubes have life-long, non-reproductive functions. The uterus and its ligaments are the structural supports for the pelvis. They keep the bladder and bowel in their proper positions as well as maintaining skeletal integrity (spine, rib cage, hip alignment). This is why women who have had hysterectomies have thick and shortened midsections and big bellies and usually back and hip problems long-term. The ovaries of intact women produce hormones into their 80's for good health and well-being. There are many medical studies that show the harm of hysterectomy and/or ovary removal.
Since hysterectomy is grossly overused with only 2% done for confirmed cancer and 76% not meeting ACOG criteria, you may need to see several doctors to get one who says you do not need any organs removed. And some doctors do not have good cystectomy (cyst removal) skills causing you to unnecessarily lose an ovary(ies).
Hope this helps! And I hope you can get conservative treatment versus over-treatment.
Any complex GYN surgery is sent to a GYN/Oncologist because they are better at the complex stuff. Sometimes they use the robot which means smaller incisions. Many times they can't tell until surgery whether it is benign or not because it is internal.It can go either way.Do you have someone going with you to see the GYN/Oncologist? It is good to have support and two sets of ears. Sometimes it is hard to remember things when you are emotional and seeing a GYN/Oncologist is a big deal. It is like the Far Side Cartoon You are dog hearing Blah, blah, Cancer, blah, blah.
If they think it may be Cancer make sure you have the best facility for you. We have three choices in my area, I did not look at them all. I wish I had because I would have chosen another hospital. I was scared and just thought of getting the surgery done.My doctor did not believe in seeing his patients for six months after surgery. I saw a nurse who let me waste away. The chemo room was a hallway crammed with recliners and no privacy.They had a state of the art cancer center but GYN Cancer got treated in a hallway in the women's hospital at this University.
I ended up changing Doctors and hospitals and getting into a great clinical trial which not only has saved my life but shrunk the Cancer. I see a Doctor every visit and the chemo facilities are modern.
I had Cancer in 15 places and now they can't find the Cancer with a CT Scan. I am 51 I am in a support group with two women who are older than me. One was stage 4 like me at diagnosis and the other stage1. We are over two years out.
Alex
If they think it may be Cancer make sure you have the best facility for you. We have three choices in my area, I did not look at them all. I wish I had because I would have chosen another hospital. I was scared and just thought of getting the surgery done.My doctor did not believe in seeing his patients for six months after surgery. I saw a nurse who let me waste away. The chemo room was a hallway crammed with recliners and no privacy.They had a state of the art cancer center but GYN Cancer got treated in a hallway in the women's hospital at this University.
I ended up changing Doctors and hospitals and getting into a great clinical trial which not only has saved my life but shrunk the Cancer. I see a Doctor every visit and the chemo facilities are modern.
I had Cancer in 15 places and now they can't find the Cancer with a CT Scan. I am 51 I am in a support group with two women who are older than me. One was stage 4 like me at diagnosis and the other stage1. We are over two years out.
Alex
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