How fast does a dermoid cyst grow?

[dimples7]

I was recently told by my gyn that I have a 5cm dermoid cyst on my left ovary.  I had an ultrasound in Nov. 05 because of pain on my left side.  I was told that I just had some small cysts.  I also was told I had a fatty liver.  My doctor said we will just watch the fatty liver but in June she sent me for another ultrasound.  Then I get a call from there office saying I still have this fatty liver but also have a cyst and they refered me to my gyn.  I finally see him almost a month later and he says I have this dermiod cyst and it has to come out.  I will have the full surgery on August 15th to remove my left ovary along with the cyst.  I have had 4 c-sections and he said it will be much like that as far as recovery.  

I am having more pain then I have had before.  Not doulbed over pain but more constant ache.  Could this thing be growing still more if it grew that fast in Six months?  My doctor told me that the chance of cancer is pretty low.  I am glad of that.  I am almost 41 and done having children.  My mother had breast cancer and eventually died of liver and colon cancer at age 57.  I want to be a healthy grandmother someday.  

Anyway, thanks for listening.  I have been reading others post for  awhile.  You all are so supportive to one other.

[Gatsby]

The 5 cm is from the insurance companies.  Most will not pay for the surgery if the cyst is less than 5 cm.
~Tascha

[dimples7]

Thanks to all of you for your help.  I will be waiting and ready for this to be over for all of us who are going through this waiting time.

[wubbie3]

My cyst was less than 5cm, and my insurance paid for the entire surgery. If surgery is something you want, most will look at it as elective. If it's something the doctor recommends, then there should be no problem with insurance paying for surgery unless there's something specific in your plan. Call your ins. co and discuss it with them....they'll have your plan specifics and can let you know up front if something isn't covered by your plan.
Be sure you have specifics, though. It's really hard to say something is covered if you're just being general (ie. are tests covered... well, what kind of tests. Blood tests, urine tests, biopsy, etc. Things like that). I work for an insurance co (I'm an adjuster), and while not people medical, I at least know how it works.
Hang in there and keep us posted!
~Marianne

[DaneGirl]

Hey no worries about the questions.  We've all been there and this forum is incredible for helping you work out your anxieties & worries.

The CA125 test is to try and rule out cancer.  Although the CA125 test is not entirely reliable (sometimes you may get a false positive for other medical conditions - such as an ovarian cyst - or a false negative - sometimes ovarian cancer does not give off sufficient tumor markers until later stages) it is a uesful tool when used with the US and other tests.

As you have probably read, dermoids will not resolve on their own, and the only way to really know what the 'tumor' is made of is through removal.

There is a 1% chance of the dermoid being malignant (look at kelly22's posts - she was unfortunate to have the malignant variety of dermoids - or immature teratoma (sp?)) so a CA125 test may help rule out cancer.

I am in Canada, and do not have the worries of insurance issues - but our doctors can be quite stubborn.  My doctor is simply a OB/GYN and I believe he is an excellent doctor. He does not believe in performing surgery simply for the sake of it - he would only perform the surgery if it met his criteria (i.e. over the 5cm mark, CA125 levels raised, symptoms, etc).  He's been in the medical society for a very long time so I believe that he would not steer me in the wrong direction.  I did however get a 2nd opinion from an internal specialist - this was to rule out any other medical issues with my body, and also to reinforce my gyn's diagnosis.

Surgery is something that you should not rush into, but if it is a recommended procedure and you are not comfortable with the reasons behind the recommendation, maybe try to get a 2nd opinion.

As for finding a gyn/onc I am not sure what to tell you.  Maybe someone else in the forum can give you better advice.

Remember, the questions asked here are ones that we may have all thought about at some point in our journey!

Take care,
Dana

[Anna-maria74]

What characteristics have they seen on US to determine that it is a dermoid. My reason for asking is that although, yes they can grow that large, it is a little big for a dermoid. Mine was diagnosed as a dermoid right from the word go but at 20 cm's there was this little niggling doubt and I was right, it was a benign mucinous cystadenoma. Also the symptoms you describe about it suddenly feeling bigger also applied to me. It was as if as soon as it was diagnosed I became so uncomfortable I couldnt even sit properly in the car. It was actually pressing on my diaphram. I put it down to the pressing and prodding that ensued after the US to be honest.

You thoughts?

Anna x

Sorry Linda couldn't resist I just love it (grin)

[shopaholic]

thank you for your reply an xray showed up teeth so then i was sent for usound where they showed me them.  have you had an op to remove your cyst and if so how was it done am i going to have a large scar and what is recovery like ?? i am so nervous about surgery.