Cysts around tumor

[sickandtired456]

I'm having my pit tumor resection on Dec 19th. The tumor is 4mm x 9mm and sits on a bed of cysts or perhaps prior damage/bleeding. Surgeon says he'll know more once he sees it. He also says cysts can be normal nomenclature in this area. I didn't ask him during the consult what he plans to do with the cysts.

Question: did any of you experience cysts around your pit tumor? If so- did they remove, drain or leave them alone? Surgeon seemed not to think much about them being there around the tumor. What's your opinion?

Thanks!

[sickandtired456]

When I signed my consent it said students could participate or fully do the entire surgery with or without the dr present! It sent me into a tizzy! I called his assistant and he said not to worry it was a general surgery release for a teaching hospital. I'm a bit worked up about it and want to make sure students not taking part other than watching.

[rumpled]

I have not heard of cysts being up there other than the RCC, but then again I am a patient. If you look at films of surgeries, which it sounds like you have, you know they have curettes and they basically scrape around to remove the tumor. They could scrape the cysts as well, and remove, I assume, part of the cyst wall and prevent them from refilling. I don't think they could drain them in the standard way like with a needle like tool as there is not a lot of room up there to manipulate and they may damage other tissues up there. But again that is a guess.

Just so you know, I have had other friends request that students absolutely not participate in or do the surgery etc. and found out later their surgeries were entirely done by students. I know they have to learn, but...  one friend found out when the surgery was botched as the student operated on the wrong side!

I would ask ahead of time if they plan to scrape off the cysts.

[sickandtired456]

Yep, I have an neuro-endo who works as a team with my surgeon (who will do the tumor resection) and an ENT surgeon (who will do the nose bit.) My neuro-endo will do the hormones after surgery and my primary care dr will do pre surgery physical. Seems like a lot of drs. It's all at a teaching hospital and I agreed to let them use my case as a teaching tool (they will keep me anonymous.) I also requested not to have students do any part of the surgery.

[sickandtired456]

I asked about it being Rathke's Cleft Cyst and it's not near that area. My tumor right on the other side of the sphenoid sinus wall, so super convenient according to him. My tumor is long and not very wide and appears to be sitting on a bunch of cysts. Surgeon didn't seemed to bothered by them, said they were ok to be there. Just trying to get feedback as to whether i should insist he scrape them out or not. I know with ordinary cysts if you drain them they refill. I don't want to do more damage to the area than needed, but I don't want to remove the tumor, leave the cysts then have trouble with the cysts. I don't want to do this again.

[rumpled]

You are under the care of a neuro endo? I get ... lost in all the stories so sorry if I don't remember all!

There is a condition called Rathke's Cleft Cyst which is a pituitary condition that is uh, I guess you could call normal nomenclature?

It is also hard to see everything on imaging. If you had apoplexy (bleeding) then that can cause some complications, as well as if you have some partial empty sella.

RCC is usually removed. I hope you have a good neuro-endo, as you will likely need at least a few replacements after surgery, if you are not on them now.