Aa
Cysts and a Torsion..SURGERY.
Ovarian Cancer has killed off most of my family, and the remaining women on my Dad's side have it. My Dad carries the Cancer gene and never told me. My cousin told me a few days ago, after I was sent to the hospital by my Doctor. After tests and image care, ovarian cysts and an ovarian torsion was revealed on my right ovary. The hospital tried to remove it that night, but I refused and I want to know more... What happens when you remove an ovary? This is all making me feel like less of a woman. My partner is understanding, but this is freaking him out. Tomorrow I go to get "explored" (BLEGH!) for cancer and other things... Then we schedule surgery. Hopefully they don't operate tomorrow... I have vacations, siblings graduating afar... I can't miss that. I don't know what to do, I don't know anything about this, I need advice? Experiences? Something!... (I'm 20 years old, I'm a secretary, I live a vibrant life.)
COMMUNITY LEADER
You are asking good questions and deserve to be given all the facts. It should be up to YOU if you have surgery now or wait until you do your research and gather all the necessary information.
Did you get a copy of your records including the imaging report? How large is the cyst and what are its characteristics?
If and when you do undergo surgery (if the cyst doesn't resolve), a surgeon with good cystectomy skills should be able to remove just the cyst and have it biopsied while you are under anesthesia. If the cyst is benign then you should not need to have your ovary removed. However, it's possible that the torsion cut off blood supply to your ovary causing it to die (or at least partly impaired its function). The ovary is very resilient and even part of an ovary can sometimes be enough for full function.
Removal of an ovary can impair fertility but it can sometimes cause even more problems such as an earlier or more severe menopause which can predispose you to a number of increased health risks.
I'm sorry you have a strong family history of ovarian cancer. It's possible you've been spared the gene for it but you would need to be tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2 to know your status. Lynch Syndrome (also known as Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer - HNPCC) is associated with a markedly increased risk of colon cancer and a somewhat elevated risk of ovarian cancer and some other cancers.
I hope you get the information you need to decide how to proceed. Please keep us posted. Try to remain calm... easier said than done.
Did you get a copy of your records including the imaging report? How large is the cyst and what are its characteristics?
If and when you do undergo surgery (if the cyst doesn't resolve), a surgeon with good cystectomy skills should be able to remove just the cyst and have it biopsied while you are under anesthesia. If the cyst is benign then you should not need to have your ovary removed. However, it's possible that the torsion cut off blood supply to your ovary causing it to die (or at least partly impaired its function). The ovary is very resilient and even part of an ovary can sometimes be enough for full function.
Removal of an ovary can impair fertility but it can sometimes cause even more problems such as an earlier or more severe menopause which can predispose you to a number of increased health risks.
I'm sorry you have a strong family history of ovarian cancer. It's possible you've been spared the gene for it but you would need to be tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2 to know your status. Lynch Syndrome (also known as Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer - HNPCC) is associated with a markedly increased risk of colon cancer and a somewhat elevated risk of ovarian cancer and some other cancers.
I hope you get the information you need to decide how to proceed. Please keep us posted. Try to remain calm... easier said than done.
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