Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

exploratory laparotomy/BSO and frozen section on right ovary and mass

I went to the doctor today to sign consent forms and they said that they are going to do a exploratory laparotomy/BSO and that they are not to much worried about the one on the left but that the one on the right is making them kinda worried so they are going to do a frozen section on it and the ovary while i am under ....So what does that exactly mean...They said that i will be in the hospital 2 to 3 days  if there is no complications..I have to go back on the 12th to speak to anisteasia(spelled wrong) and to speak to the preop nurse to get my instructions and the time for the surgery...And it is still on for the 18th .....so hugsssssssss to all...louella.
12 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
and i forgot to ask did they do a frozen section on you during your surgery,or did they say anything about it...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I wrote down your email and he said that as soon as i come out of surgery and he makes it home he will email ya to let ya know how things went...And yes i am worried about sonie..She hadnt been feeling to well before christmas  and i know that her surgery is like a week after mine..So i am wondering if she is doing ok..I know that she has her hands full with the kids and with her being sick but she always made time to get on the puter and let us know how she was doing...I pray that everything is ok..Oh do ya have messenger on your puter...I know sometimes when i really need to talk to someone and ya have to wait for them to come on,it is like a kid waiting for candy...impatient..lol..alright well it is getting late so i will write more later...hugsssssssss louella
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey,good to hear from ya..I thought you had got lost or something ...lol...How are you doing ,are ya feeling ok these days...I was starting to get worried that you hadnt been on in the last few days....I hope that all is well with you...and that you have had a full recovery..I went to the doctor thursday and did all of my consent forms and yesterday the surgeon called and i missed it so i called back and she was in surgery all day ..So i dont know what she wanted ..I am thinking maybe they had a cancelation or something so i will know monday cause i have to call back..It would be nice to get in there a week early...And the doctor she is great..And she told me everything that the other doctor didnt...I have to go back this week on thursday so i will keep yall updated...and i am going to show my husband how to get into this site so he can let yall know how things went...the clock is going tick tock tick tock in my head...i am scared but im ready....cross your fingers...hugssssssss louella.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, you have a good understanding of the endo situation.  If I had to  guess about the cyst on the left, {where I no longer have an ovary but where the ultrasound report stated that I have a cyst on my left ovary (WTF, you know?!)}, then I  might possibly have some endometriosis speck over there, mixed in with scar tissue from my surgery.  I had noticed that the scar on the left side from my lap surgery gets tender near the beginning of my monthly cycle; that is why I think endo might be rearing its ugly head again.  The cysts on the remaining right ovary are both around 1 cm in size.  They are simple cysts with thin walls, and the fact that there are two of them is better news than there just being one.  Having more than one is more indicative of a hormonal disturbance.  Now that I am nearing menopause, I will probably learn that the reason I cannot lose weight is that I have PCOS or something.  Like I said, I wish I'd had it all ripped out last time.

Yes, I learned when I was going through all of the business before with my complex cyst with solid components that hardly anyone understands the nature of ovca, or the scant treatment options.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am afraid that he is going to say "well lets wait and see what is going to happen next" instead of lets go explore your pelvis and see what is really going on.  my husband is spouting things like "just tell him to rip it all out and that way we do not have to worry anymore".  My husband knows trees not healthcare and medical issues. He did not realize that I would have to have treatment other than surgery if the found anything other than stage I ovca.  That floored him. Thank you for your response-I will be on pins and needles until Monday.  Not meaning to pry but are you having issue again?  I am pretty sure you sent me a post one time that  said they removed only the affected areas. I have seen with endo that any cell can cause problems anywhere it touches and it gets its drive from your ovaries.  I may be wrong_I am sure you know well more than I.   keep us posted-I will try to lend helping comfort where it is able to be placed.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You can certainly ask for an exploratory surgery.  For my surgery, my doctor and I discussed all the options, and possible outcomes.   We had a plan that allowed for both exploratory/mass removal and complete removal if necesary. Basically, our plan of action was for her to start with the laparoscopic surgery, exam the abdomen,  and then sample fluids or tissues to determine if there appeared to be cancer.  If the samples appeared to be clear, then she would continue on laparoscopically with the removal of the cyst and ovary.  However, if cancerous or other abnormal cells were found, then the  less-invasive procedure would turn into the larger laparotomy, with a  complete hysterectomy. The surgeon collects the fluids and tissues that are removed, and these are sent to a pathology lab for additional testing.  

My "hindsight" issue is that if I had known that  one year later I would have symptoms again (though much milder) and be going through the stressful wait-n-see approach, and be wondering what will happen next, then I would have gone ahead with a complete hysterectomy last year.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have a question.  My cysts have ruptured and I have free fluid in my pelvis and cul de sac along with bloating and pain.  I did not realize the pain that I had been having was from rupture until I had my u/s Wed.  The gyn/onc has been in surgery everyday since then and I have not spoken with him.  I go Monday for pre-op appointment with him.  The nurse at his office said  since I am finished having children that he would probably go ahead with hyst but I feel an exporatory  lap would be less invasive and  more informative at this point.  I know if I have malignancy (which I have been being worked up for) then the damage of spreading cells has alrady happened.  You are very knowledgeable I look up to your opinions.  HOw would you expect things to proceed from this point?  Thanks!
Kristie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Lou - my doctor did the same thing to me last year, with the exploratory part.  Basically, everything is checked to be certain that it looks healthy.  Not just the area around the uterus and the ovaries, but the outer colon, the appendix, lymph nodes, and the surrounding tissues are at a minimum visually inspected to be certain they look good.  Obviously, anything that looks unhealthy will either be sampled for testing or simply removed (like with the appendix, if you still have that).   My doctor also makes a photographic record in the event that problems arise in the future.  I would imagine that since you do know that you have adhesions and scar tissue from your previous surgeries that the surgeon might remove or 'zap' with the laser some of these tissues as well.

I am really happy to see that there is only one mass that truly concerns them.   Given the number of surgeries that you have already experienced, it will not surprise me for them to find that you just have cysts, adhesions, and possibly endometriosis and endometriomas down there.

I think part of the problems that you are having, like with your mouth being sore, is due to the hormonal disruption.    Now that you have mentioned it, I recall having bleeding gums at least once during that time. I  also had headaches, those terrible migraine-type headaches with nausea and visual disturbances (flashing lights and colors) last year, and these nearly stopped completely after the surgery.  When I further modified my diet to make it even more healthy (more nearly a complete vegan), the migraines stopped.

As for me...I am doing as well as I can expect of myself!  I know that the ultrasound report did not indicate anything that would alarm my doctor, and that her recommendation for now is the follow-up routine, but those worrisome thoughts keep sneaking up on me...that and the regret that I just did not have all that stuff removed at the last surgery.  Oh, well, hindsight is 20/20, isn't it??!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The surgeon doing the surgery is not a oncologist but she did say that the oncologist will be on call if they need him..so that made me feel a whole lot better to...so lets hope for the best....louella
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That is  a good plan.  What they are basically telling you is that the mass will be tested during your surgery to determine if there is cancer.  If not, then the surgery proceeds in a normal fashion.  However, if cancer is detected, then the surgery becomes the more tedious and cautious debulking procedure in which the surgeons try to locate and remove as much of the cancer as possible.  A proper debulking in the original surgery is preferable to having a surgery, learning from the pathology report that you have cancer, and then having yet another surgery for debulking.  A proper debulking in the original surgery also means that any further cancer treatment, if necessary, is off to a good start.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey just thought that i would say hey and how ya doing..The doctor that i had today was great ,she answered every question that i had and it made me feel a whole lot better..she said that the one on the left doesnt concern them to much but the one on the right does so that is the one that they are going to focus on so i guess it will be the first to be removed ..What does the exploratory part mean..I mean dont they know what they are looking for or what ..That was the part that i didnt get....My head is about to explode it hurts so bad tonight and for some reason my gums in my mouth are so swelled up tonight the hurt...well i have already took my pain med so i am going to bed...louella
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please make certain the one doing your surgery is a surgeon who specializes in gyn/oncology.
It is my understanding this is the most important step if you are dealing with ovc. The surgeon's debulking skills will determine your prognosis. If you are going to take a chance anywhere, do not let it be in this arena. Good luck.
Peace.   dian
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cancer Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn how to spot the warning signs of this “silent killer.”
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.