Questions

[PFunk]

I met with the gynecologic oncologist again.  He indicated that whether or not the ovary is malignant, he thinks that the ovary and Fallopian tube should be removed because the tumor or complex cyst is so large and it probably does not function anymore.    I have been ovulating every month, which has been verified by the 21 day progesterone test and the fact that I have regular periods.  

Based on this, I must assume that the gyn onc believes that the right ovary has taken over the function of ovulating every single month or that he is very sorely mistaken about the belief that the left ovary is too damaged to function.  

How can he determine whether or not the left ovary is functioning before making the decision to remove my ovary, which I absolutely refuse unless it is either malignant, completely not functioning or there is too high a risk of tumors recurring?

[PFunk]

I have had serial ultrasounds over a couple of years.  I had a laparoscopy and the gynecologist removed as many follicular cysts as she could from both ovaries.  The ovary in question does continue to develop numerous follicular cysts.  After the laparoscopy a 6 week f/u u/s revealed that the 4 cm partially solid, partially cystic lesion on my left ovary which could not be removed completely had grown to about 7 cm.  

However, I am still not clear on your explanation because women with PCOS continually produce follicular cysts on their ovaries but never ovulate so the development of follicles in an ovary cannot be indicative of ovulation.  

A fertility specialist refuses to see me because of the tumor.  

I plan to get a second opinion but there is only one gynecologic oncologist within a hundred and some miles from my home so it will take quite a while to get a good recommendation from someone as to a gyn onc elsewhere and the AMA and ACS will not provide that information for legal and ethical reasons.

[PFunk]

Actually, just as additional information.  Research and just women continuing to ovulate and get pregnant has shown that you can continue to be fertile with less than a quarter of one ovary.  However, the problems are these just because your body can regain normalcy after having an ovary removed doesn't mean that it is good for you and that it doesn't cause longterm problems to your body.  Furthermore, having just had a laparoscopy and research showing that going under anesthesia puts you so close to death that it takes many months to recover, I don't think that it is the best idea to undergo any more extensive surgery than is absolutely necessary.

[PFunk]

Also by far the more important question is not whether or not it is cancerous.  If it is malignant then we know exactly what to do but if it is not I refuse to have it removed.