Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

8cm Ovarian Dermoid Cyst

Hi

I am 28 unmarried but would like children someday. I recently found out that I have an 8cm dermoid cyst on my right ovary. I have an appointment with a surgical physician in about a week and a half.  They found it during an ultrasound as I have been having pain in my lower right pelvic area.  The ultrasound tech told me they generally remove them with surgery but that is about all the information I received.  The call after the ultrasound was just to schedule this f/u appointment with a surgical physician.  Am I right to assume surgery?  I would like to be a little prepared before i walk in there.

I would appreciate anyone who has had a similar situation to tell me the likelihood of surgery,  how the procedure went, recovery time, etc.  I understand everyone is different but I am having a hard time finding concreting information.  And am working myself up worrying about it.  Especially if its going to effect my opportunity to have children.

Appreciate any information!  Thanks!
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Usually, that is how.  I had a 10x11 cm dermoid cyst on my right ovary back in 2009.  Went to the ER with pain and it was found in a CT scan I opted for to determine if it was appendicitis.  They removed it that night and even saved my ovary.  I was told even if they had to remove the ovary, it wouldn't be much of a concern for my fertility.  Trust me, I've always wanted to be a mom someday, so it was on my top list of concerns since I'd already gone in expecting some sort of surgery.  I even asked it again at the post-op follow-up to make sure there weren't any concerns.

You'll have to move around post-op, which hurts even with the pain meds, but make sure you take them to avoid problems.  It took me about six weeks before I could return to my college, and even then, I was a bit tender to the point walking from one side to the other of my five-minute-from-any-point-to-another tiny little campus was definitely felt but didn't hurt.  I just was very glad for a seat when I got to the classroom.

The surgery itself is fairly quick and performed under general anesthesia.  As soon as you can have a bowel movement, they release you.  Mine was done laparascopically, which is just a maybe 5-inch-ish long incision a bit above my pubic bone (width-wise, not length-wise).
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your response.  I am so glad to hear that I should worry about fertility.  You said yours was done laparoscopically?  That was one of my concerns because alot of the research says the cut off for that is around 7cm and generally they perform the larger removals as a laparotomy.

I guess I just should wait till I talk to the doctor but it is completely stressing me out.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Definitely wait and talk with the doctor and try not to worry about it too much.  I can only imagine how nerve wrecking it is to know you have this all sitting in your future.  I'd write down each of the questions on a piece of paper as they come up so you can ask at your follow-up appointment!  Your doctor will know what is best in your situation.  I hope they can do the smaller incision for you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry you are dealing with this. Removal of one ovary can reduce fertility so it is best to have just the cyst removed (cystectomy). Some surgeons have better cystectomy skills than others so be sure to ask how many cystectomies the surgeon has done. And if you are not comfortable with a surgeon, get another opinion. Good luck to you.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cysts Community

Top Women's Health Answerers
363281 tn?1643235611
Nelson, New Zealand
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.