consultation with gyno onc over - no surgery!

[bratty_girl]

Hello everyone!
Just got back from the gyno onc consult and they have decided to drain the cyst!
Does anyone have any idea what this entails etc?
Thanks for any info :)

[bratty_girl]

Jan ! That site was wonderful! It answered a few of my questions!
Its amazing what they can do :)
I feel a hell of a lot more confident about this now !
lol I am not going to look at the needle! -shivers-
Im not sure when I will be going - Im waiting for the phone call lol but they said 2-3 weeks.I m so glad no surgery!
Thankyou all for your support and information! :)

[crecco]

Interventional radiology is an amazing field. They do ablations to remove tumors that they couldn't otherwise remove without a lot of damage. Jan is right, the procedure is invasive and the recovery time short. Best of all there is little to no pain and it usually only requires an over night stay in the hospital. (for a lot of these procedures you are put into what they call a twilight sleep and you remember nothing when it is over)
The procedure can be done several times in the same areas as it does no harm to surrounding tissues, it kills the tumor and that is all.
             Chris

[ireneo]

OK, a 21 gauge isn't so big after all. The length of it however may be a different story. If I was you, I wouldn't look. I use 21's and 23's all the time at work and that will be pretty comfortable. When do you go in for the procedure?

[Jan214]

They are called interventional radiologists and it is a fairly new field that is catching on rapidly.  The link below is for the site of the Society of Interventional Radiology.  Everyone should see this site, because it has some very interesting info on fibroids and cancer treatments using this method instead of surgery.  I hope it helps to know that a lot of people are opting for these procedures because they are so non-invasive and the recovery time is minimal.  They are even doing brain surgeries this way.  Even though you will not be getting anesthesia, I would imagine they would at least numb the area before they put a needle in you.  If it was me I would take a xanax before I went.  I couldn't stand seeing a needle go into my tummy.  Good luck to you.
Jan
http://www.sirweb.org/patPub/Iradiology.shtml

[bratty_girl]

Hi ireneo ,
The surgeon did say they would be sending the liquid drained from the cyst for biopsy.
I will definately ask them about numbing , the cyst is huge and it has a larger bubble in my upper chest as well ( kinda like the number 8 but the bottom part being 60x47x30cm the top being 20x13x8cm)... Im sure they will need to use a larger needle ,  I was told a 21g needle. Have you any info on this procedure? I have no idea what the procedure entails , how long it will take etc . He just said the radiologist will perform it using ultra sound to guide the needle .He said I would sign in at the hospital in the morning and leave that night .

[ireneo]

Most likely they will use a topical cream to numb the area or even give you a tiny shot to numb the area. Because they'll have to use a fairly large bore needle, do ask them to do something. The last time I was in the hospital (for my cyst surgery) I told them it's really hard to get an IV started in me. So they gave me a tiny shot on my wrist, then worked on the IV. I didn't feel a thing. It was wonderful! So much better than digging around trying to plug into a vessel.

Ask if they're going to test the fluid for cancer cells. They must be pretty confident that it's just a large simple cyst. But ask any way for your own peace of mind. Dang, I'm with you, kind of nervous too. Take care, ask lots of questions and let us know how it goes. Hugs,

[bratty_girl]

Hmm ,  the gyno onc said I would go to  Ultrasound/Radiology etc and that the radiologist uses a  needle and literally pokes it into the abdomen to drain it .There is no general, no epi. They are guided by ultrasound and the procedure will probably take all day...

ireneo , I am the gal with the huge 60cm cyst.I couldnt believe it when he said I wouldnt need surgery , all the other doctors Ive been to see (  gyno/ob and family ) have said surgery. The draining was never brought up . I think they call it a US-guided cystic ...ugh I forgot dammit.

this is wierd.

[silver&gold]

Hi ,
I have heard of this procedure , I actually watched a film of it being done . I think I watched it on the utube  site . The cyst is put inside a leakproof bag and drained with a needle the bag is then removed .
Hope all goes well take care Angie xx

[ireneo]

I have no idea and I'm not sure what to say. Correct me if I'm wrong - aren't you the person with the very large cyst, like 60 cm or so? Perhaps others have heard of having a cyst drained. I drain things at work using a sterile needle and aspirate the fluid or air. Not sure how they'll handle your situation. Didn't they explain it to you? Perhaps at your next visit which is when....?