Ovarian Cyst/Tumor

[LornaS]

Yesterday during my annual exam a large mass was discovered on my ovary/ovaries.  I was immediately given an ultrasound where it was determined that I have a very very large mass on my right ovary.  They didn't even bother to measure it as it was so large.  As I am 53 and just entering menopause I was sent for a ca-125 blood test and scheduled for a ct scan on Wed.  My gyn told me that both ovaries and uterus will have to be removed along with hopefully this growth.  She stated that the tumor/cyst had all the characteristics of a benign tumor but that it would not be determined until removal.  Needless to say I am very scared and not sure what to think.  I have no symptoms of anything other than weight gain and a distended abdomen due to the size of the growth.  Here's to hoping everything comes out okay.....any support is greatly appreciated as I don't know what to expect.

[aweisent1]

Hi Lorna,
    Thank you so much for the updated posts.  You are one of the first persons on here that has given an account from start to finish.  I really really appreciate it.  I am 42 years old and on Monday it was determined that I have a 22 cm serous cystadenoma (according to gyno, a fluid filled cyst) on my left ovary.  He referred me to gyno/onco for total hysterectomy including ovaries, tubes, uterus.  He said it was due to my mother having ovarian cyst (18 lbs with a 9 pound baby 40 years ago) and a small malignant cyst on other ovary.  Mom had a total hysterectomy back then and has had no further problems.  I too had no symptoms.  Mild back ache (like menstral cramps in middle of back right under bra strap), but really nothing else.  I can't believe that this huge thing can be inside of us and not even realize it.  I am still very anxious and worried, but I have read over 300 post on here and every one has helped me to feel more and more secure.  I have appt. with gyno/onco on October 12th.  Thanks again for sharing your story!  Please keep me posted if you have any other words of wisdom.

[LornaS]

Just a quick followup.  Had my surgery via vertical laparotomy.  Insicion is about 8-9 inches from beside my navel down to my pubic bone.  Large ovarian mass removed along with other ovary uterus, cervix.  Pathology during surgery indicated benign along with adhesions to intestines and bladder and right kidney.  All cleaned up during surgery.  Normally a 1 1/2 hour procedure was about 3 1/2.  stayed in hospital 3 nights due to pain issues.  Home now and slowly trying to recuperate.  Very slowly moving around.  If you do too much  believe me your body will let you know.  Hence today I am sleeping in the lazy boy......Final pathology came back benign with 2 very small areas of abnormal cells.  Doctor reiterated emphatically that they were not cancerous at all.  I will be asking for a copy of the pathology report.  The cyst was very large and now my poor belly feels like a bowl of jelly or soft bread dough.  Hoping it all shrinks and firms up over the next 6-8 weeks.  Hoping to be back to work in 6.  The boredom will kill me if I am not.

[Lindita8]

Hi Lorna.  I had my surgery on June 18th for a dermoid ovarian cyst.  They were going to do it laproscopically but when they went it with the scope they saw a 2nd huge mass on my uterus (a pedunculated fibroid).  Laparatomy was preformed and now it is 9 days post surgery.  They are sending the mass to pathology and I am waiting for the results although she says she thinks it will be fine.  Good luck with your surgery.  I was in the hospital for two nights and got out the next day.  I have been walking every day.  I get tired easily but make sure I get my walking in for strength.  Each day you will feel better.  

[LornaS]

Well surgery is set for 10 am tomorrow.  Busy drinking my bowel prep.  Yummy.  NOT.  I will have a gyne/onc on standby in case I need staging but they are hoping I won't need anything like that.  Somewhat nervous and anxious to put this behind me.

[hopeshell]

Wow!  I will be that will be a relief to get that mass removed!  That has to feel terrible! :(  I second what Heffmeister says about the gynecologic oncologist if your tumor is complex.  Three years ago, my gyn thought my 6cm mass was benign, but it wasn't.  Your mass is so large and I think it needs to be carefully biopsied.   You can have benign, borderline and invasive carcinoma in the same mass.   You would need a gyn/onc in order to be properly staged (without a second surgery) and to remove any other suspicious areas if your frozen section finds any evidence of malignancy.   Just my 2 cents.  Best wishes for a benign outcome and a speedy recovery!!! :)

[Heffmeister]

I had a football sized cyst removed in April via lapartomy (vertical incision). Mine was classied as a mucinous cyst and was borderline. If there's any doubt about yours being cancerous then you really need a onc gyn to do the surgery and to get the thing out intact- hence why a bigger incision is needed. Not sure draining it is a good idea if they are suspious at all? A mucinous cyst can be caused by spread from the appendix hence why they usually removed as well but these are a cancer of the gastro-instestinal tract which has spread to the ovary and therefore have a poorer outcome I believe. Borderline tumors are normal classied as cancer unfortunately (in it's earliest stages) because they do it some cases spread and re-occur.

I had 6 weeks off work after leaving the hospital btw. Good luck x

[LornaS]

short update.....surgery is scheduled for June 28.  total hysterectomy along with ovaries and tubes.  I went to my regular GP for clearance today and he mentioned a dermoid cyst.  Do they get this large 30cm?  wow incredible to believe that something that large is inside me though I do look pregnant and am looking forward to losing that look......

[rudme]

Sounds like your doctor has a good plan.  Be sure and keep us posted.  Good luck!

[lindah818]

Hi Lorna.  I too have discovered a football sized ovarian cyst, and as I'm 61 they are doing a hysterectomy also.  I'm still awaiting surgery, and really would be happy for them to call because all this waiting is driving me nuts.  My CA 125 was scary coming in a 1500, but according to what I have heard, a massive cyst can produce false readings. Also the Gyn said he was not worried about what the results of the CA 125 as he said it is showing all the characteristics of being benign. (he had not received the results of the CA 125 when I had my appointment) and I received the results from my GP.  I was really scared when he told me the size of the incision, but a lot of the girls on this website have made me feel so much better, and I know we'll both get through this, you and I.  Keep us posted as to how you make out. Sounds as if we are really in this together.  Best wishes and prayers to you my friend.  Linda818

[LornaS]

Talked to my Dr today to discuss CT scan results and CA125 results. Scan showed a very large fluid filled cyst which she believes is benign.  My CA125 was 35, which she said is high normal but as I am mid menopausal was okay.  The cyst measures 27.5 cm and she figures it weighs over 15 lbs.  nice.  She will do a total hysterectomy remove both ovaries with the cyst.  She hopes to do a small navel to pubic incision as she hope to drain this prior to removal.  She will have the path done while I am out in case it is borderline in which case they will stage it and check lymph nodes etc.  She did say my lymph nodes and every thing else looks fine on the scan with the exception of the tumor/cyst blocking my right kidney.  Surgery is going to be in the next couple of weeks and I will keep all posted.  Thanks for your guidance and encouraging words all.  She said I should be off work 4-6 weeks is that normal?

[LornaS]

Again thanks all.  I have been diagnosed also with a goiter many years ago and have been on synthroid for many years.  Even though my last tsh test was in the normal range I am unusually tired all the time.....maybe this is the tumor/cyst that is draining my energy.  I am looking forward to having this removed and getting back into action again and doing the things that I used to love to do, biking and other strenous exercises that I havent had the energy to do.  I know I have a long recuperation period but these are the things that are long term goals.  Can't wait to feel healthy again......

[soccer2010]

matter of fact! the fibrocyst was done by the da vinci

[rudme]

Hi Lorna-  I would definitely ask your doc about a total hysterectomy.  My surgeon would love to do one on everyone as he says it reduces your risk of all kinds of cancer.  I'm not saying that's the only thing you should consider, but I'd discuss it.  Also, I'm sure they measured your cyst.  Even though described as large, you can discuss the option of laproscopic surgery.  Some will do it, some won't depending on the details of your case.  And I compeltely understand wanting to get it over with.  I felt the same way and just wanted to get the strange alien time bomb out of me as fast as possible!  Not to mention, you will feel SO much better afterwards.  It's been four weeks since my surgery and I'm finally getting my energy back and I seem to have even more than I did pre-surgery.  Even though I didn't realize it, the big cyst was sucking the energy right out of me.  And, not that you'd opt to lose weight this way, but you will.  It's a nice benefit to having a large cyst removed :-)

[hdebbie7]

hi lorna, you will be fine, just had a similar experience to you but mine was only 10cm not as big as some. It is all scary but you do get through it and on this forum we are all here to help, i wouldnt have got through all this without them ( thankyou guys). I am post menopause but i ended up not having uterus removed because of past surgery on bowel they didnt want to, and i only had the one ovary the cyst was on and tube removed, because they could not get to the other without difficulty and had already had a job with the one that needed to come out. I think its something to dicuss with your surgeon , whats really needed. Good luck and keep us informed. x

[LornaS]

thanks for the words of encouragement, you know how much these help put one's mind at rest.  Well somewhat at rest.  I think I am now mentally prepared for a large open incision type of surgery with the accompanying recuperation afterwards.  I did want to lose weight but not this way.  Now that I know what I am dealing with I can't wait to get it out of me.  Does that sound funny? I just want to get this behind me.  I will ask my gyn about removing my appendix at the same time as I am not sure I want to revisit this anytime soon.  Are there any benefits to a total hysterectomy and removal of both ovaries etc as I am mid menopause and have no intention of childbearing?  

[rudme]

Hi--I just had a very large mass removed.  I didn't have many symptoms either and was shocked when the ultrasound tech said, "wow, this is the biggest cyst I've ever seen."  Not what you want to hear.  Just keep in mind that the vast majority (97%, I think?  Someone here can verify this, I'm sure) of ovarian cysts are benign.  My large one turned out to be a borderline ovarian tumor, which is non-cancerous.  The surgeon did not find this out until it was sent to pathology after surgery.  If he had known during surgery, he would have removed my appendix as these types of tumors often originate in the appendix and by removing it he would have reduced the chances of recurrence (which are between 6 and 12 percent).  You may want to ask about this possibility?  I read that one of the signs of a borderline tumor is large size with no symptoms.  Best of luck during this process.  This is a great group.  I encourage you to use it often.  It helped me prepare for my recovery and get through my surgery.

[LornaS]

Thanks for the words of support, this is a scary time for me.  My husband is a cancer survivor himself and encourages me to think positive and not think of the alternative unless there is no other option.  The ct scan it to get a better idea of the size and placement of the mass.  There was some question regarding whether or not it is involving one of my kidneys, but I have not had any problem with them at all.  I think it is a precaution pre surgery.  I believe the surgery will be as soon as possible after my consultation June 17.  I think this way to big to be handled by the da vinci robotic surgery option......

[fungirl1011]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  I know how scary this all can be.  Do you know why you are having a CT scan?  It is so encouraging that your doctor thinks that everything is benign.  Do you know when your doctor is planning on doing your surgery?  Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

[soccer2010]

dont be scare! it sound like it could be fibrocyst, often to be measure into a big mass. i just had some removed couple months ago, and one was the size of a football, the ultrasound miss that one. my surgeron was surprise. and sent the tissue to the lab for test. everything came back negative. hope this help