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Upcoming surgery 5cm complex ovarian cyst
Hello,
I posted back in May about having vaginal ulta sounds for 5cm complex ovarian cyst on left ovary. I went for my 3rd ultra sound yesterday. I told my doctor that I have been experiencing more sharp pains on the left side, urinating alot more frequently, bloaty most of the time, and that my breast were huge and hurting. I asked what the plan was since this was my 3rd ultra sound. She told me that the cyst was still 5cm, and that it was a complex cyst. She told me that she believed that I could wait for another 6-8 weeks. I asked her what she would do, she told me that she would probably wait, and then went on to say that there was an 80% chance that I would lose the ovary anyway. She reminded me that my CA125 came back very low at 3, and that my chances of it being cancer were slight. She did however go on to say that if anything should look suspicious during surgery, that she would do a frozen biopsy, and that if it comes back cancerous that she would close up, and discuss it with me. She told me that to have surgery soon was my decision. I told her that I wanted it out. We have scheduled the surgery for July 23rd. I might have to have Laporatomy due to surgery on that ovary back in 2002. I had lesions on and around the left ovary and bowel. The left ovary was actually stuck to the bowel.. Doc believes that the lesions were due to surgery that I had years ago for precervical cancer.... Doc told me that she might not be able to get the ovary out due to the scarring of surgeries. She told me that if done with the laparoscope, I could have severe bleeding due to aorta being involved (clamped) ????.. She told me that she could knick my ureter and so on... I'm terrified... I'm terrified of dying during the surgery... I'm terrified that I will get bad news.... I'm a coward! Did I make a mistake by telling her that I wanted it out? Did I jump the gun? My mom died of breast cancer... I am 46 and have never had any children... Are my chances of cancer greater due to these factors? I'm blah blah blah.... I think that I could use a drink... tee hee....Really !!!!
I posted back in May about having vaginal ulta sounds for 5cm complex ovarian cyst on left ovary. I went for my 3rd ultra sound yesterday. I told my doctor that I have been experiencing more sharp pains on the left side, urinating alot more frequently, bloaty most of the time, and that my breast were huge and hurting. I asked what the plan was since this was my 3rd ultra sound. She told me that the cyst was still 5cm, and that it was a complex cyst. She told me that she believed that I could wait for another 6-8 weeks. I asked her what she would do, she told me that she would probably wait, and then went on to say that there was an 80% chance that I would lose the ovary anyway. She reminded me that my CA125 came back very low at 3, and that my chances of it being cancer were slight. She did however go on to say that if anything should look suspicious during surgery, that she would do a frozen biopsy, and that if it comes back cancerous that she would close up, and discuss it with me. She told me that to have surgery soon was my decision. I told her that I wanted it out. We have scheduled the surgery for July 23rd. I might have to have Laporatomy due to surgery on that ovary back in 2002. I had lesions on and around the left ovary and bowel. The left ovary was actually stuck to the bowel.. Doc believes that the lesions were due to surgery that I had years ago for precervical cancer.... Doc told me that she might not be able to get the ovary out due to the scarring of surgeries. She told me that if done with the laparoscope, I could have severe bleeding due to aorta being involved (clamped) ????.. She told me that she could knick my ureter and so on... I'm terrified... I'm terrified of dying during the surgery... I'm terrified that I will get bad news.... I'm a coward! Did I make a mistake by telling her that I wanted it out? Did I jump the gun? My mom died of breast cancer... I am 46 and have never had any children... Are my chances of cancer greater due to these factors? I'm blah blah blah.... I think that I could use a drink... tee hee....Really !!!!
Hi ,
I am a ultrasound student. Let me reasure you that cancer can look like anything. cancerous masses might and might not have blood flow. A cymple cyst will appear black/anechoic on Ultrasiund with smooth defined walls and will produce enhancement(light) below it due to sound trasnmission to fluid in it. It is true when there is a blood flow in the mass it is not a good sign but you cannpt be 100% shure. When you have a complex cyst it might be a cyst that is functional and is bleeding inside or dermoid, or cancerous cyst we do not know untill we take part of it out and send it for lab analysis. Non of the doctors will tell you what type of cyst it is a 100% even if it is simple cyst that posesses all of the qualities above.
When the cyst is functional it is more than likely to go avay on its own in 2 menstrual cycles ( hormone levels change and cyst are dependable on them). That is why doctors are telling you to wait 6-8 weeks. If not it is probably other types of cyst and it does not mean that it is cancerous. CA125 is a good test to take to see what your chances are- highly recomend. My other thought on this is to reduce your estrogen levels naturally without drugs by eating healthy, run, swim, use proper body creams and proprer antiperspirants, wash clothes in detergent with less chemicals, reduse stress level, maintain your liver health!!!Why I say that, is because liver metabolizes estrogen. Estrogen can do a lot of good but having to much of it will bring many pathological conditions. Researsch Research Research yourself what you can do to heal yourself naturally!!!!
I am a ultrasound student. Let me reasure you that cancer can look like anything. cancerous masses might and might not have blood flow. A cymple cyst will appear black/anechoic on Ultrasiund with smooth defined walls and will produce enhancement(light) below it due to sound trasnmission to fluid in it. It is true when there is a blood flow in the mass it is not a good sign but you cannpt be 100% shure. When you have a complex cyst it might be a cyst that is functional and is bleeding inside or dermoid, or cancerous cyst we do not know untill we take part of it out and send it for lab analysis. Non of the doctors will tell you what type of cyst it is a 100% even if it is simple cyst that posesses all of the qualities above.
When the cyst is functional it is more than likely to go avay on its own in 2 menstrual cycles ( hormone levels change and cyst are dependable on them). That is why doctors are telling you to wait 6-8 weeks. If not it is probably other types of cyst and it does not mean that it is cancerous. CA125 is a good test to take to see what your chances are- highly recomend. My other thought on this is to reduce your estrogen levels naturally without drugs by eating healthy, run, swim, use proper body creams and proprer antiperspirants, wash clothes in detergent with less chemicals, reduse stress level, maintain your liver health!!!Why I say that, is because liver metabolizes estrogen. Estrogen can do a lot of good but having to much of it will bring many pathological conditions. Researsch Research Research yourself what you can do to heal yourself naturally!!!!
I just re-read your original post and had another comment for you. One of the main concerns with a laprascopy is that the cyst could rupture and if it is cancer that would spread the cancer throughout your abdomen. Also, if you have scar tissue it is best to have a laparotomy. The chances of them "hitting" something are much less.
I would personally have a game plan before the surgery and that is the best part of having the gyn/onc do the surgery. You really do not want to have 2 laparotomies if you can avoid it. Having a plan of - well if there is a problem we will just close you up and then discuss it and later fix it would not be a good plan for me. Of course if it were me and somehting was wrong I would want to have it treated as soon as possible.
Discuss with your doctor what to do in each situation. 1) If it is just a cyst on one ovary try to disect it out as long as it is not cancer. 2) If it can not be disected or is cancer remove the ovary. 3) Check out the other ovary and make sure it is ok. 4) If there is cancer and it had spread take out other ovary. If not keep it. 5) If the cancer has spread do the biopsies and remove as much as you can.
This is why a gyn/onc is good because they can handle all of the complications. It is your body and you are in control. Decide what you want and let your doctor know.
Laura :)
I would personally have a game plan before the surgery and that is the best part of having the gyn/onc do the surgery. You really do not want to have 2 laparotomies if you can avoid it. Having a plan of - well if there is a problem we will just close you up and then discuss it and later fix it would not be a good plan for me. Of course if it were me and somehting was wrong I would want to have it treated as soon as possible.
Discuss with your doctor what to do in each situation. 1) If it is just a cyst on one ovary try to disect it out as long as it is not cancer. 2) If it can not be disected or is cancer remove the ovary. 3) Check out the other ovary and make sure it is ok. 4) If there is cancer and it had spread take out other ovary. If not keep it. 5) If the cancer has spread do the biopsies and remove as much as you can.
This is why a gyn/onc is good because they can handle all of the complications. It is your body and you are in control. Decide what you want and let your doctor know.
Laura :)
Hi! You are not a coward you just do not know what to expect. First, I would suggest that if you are not having the surgery done by a gynocologist/oncologist you should think about consulting with one and possibly having him do the surgery. The chances of your cyst being cancer are less than 1% but it is better to be safe than sorry. I had a 5 cm complex cyst last year. They did the follow up ultrasound and it had not changed size. I was told I could wait and do another ultrasound or have surgery. I was not sure what to do and I was concerned enough not to want to wait. Because of other problems with the office I changed doctors. My new gyn did a doppler ultrsound. She told me that if the cyst did not have blood flow it was not cancer but if it had blood flow that did not mean it was cancer but could be. Mine had blood flow so we did surgery right away. From the second ultrasound to the doppler my cyst went from 5cm to 81/2 cm in 1 1/2 weeks.
I did not consult a gyn/onc because I did not believe it could be cancer because the odds were so small. I had surgery back in 1999 for a tumor in my other ovary that they thought could be cancer and it wasn't.During this surgery (in 2006) they found that it was cancer - stage 1. They called in the gyn/onc on call and he instructed the gyn what to do. In the end they did not biopsy all they should have. This is why I suggest going to the gyn/onc before your surgery. That way you are covered no matter what. Someone on this site always says you only have one chance to get it right. This is especially true if this will be a complicated surgery. Often a specialist is better trained to handle difficult surgeries.
As for all of the complications they told you about it is always possible but not something you should worry about in advance. I had 3 previous abdominal surgeries before this last one and I had many adhesions and scar tissue bu my surgery went fine. Be prepared for the worst, but realize that odds are everything will be fine. If you do end up having any complication come back to this site and search the archives and post a new comment. Someone on the site probably had the same issue and will give you advice and support.
If you would lie some tips on the laparotomy just ask. I've been through it twice and it is not so bad. Good luck!
Laura :)
I did not consult a gyn/onc because I did not believe it could be cancer because the odds were so small. I had surgery back in 1999 for a tumor in my other ovary that they thought could be cancer and it wasn't.During this surgery (in 2006) they found that it was cancer - stage 1. They called in the gyn/onc on call and he instructed the gyn what to do. In the end they did not biopsy all they should have. This is why I suggest going to the gyn/onc before your surgery. That way you are covered no matter what. Someone on this site always says you only have one chance to get it right. This is especially true if this will be a complicated surgery. Often a specialist is better trained to handle difficult surgeries.
As for all of the complications they told you about it is always possible but not something you should worry about in advance. I had 3 previous abdominal surgeries before this last one and I had many adhesions and scar tissue bu my surgery went fine. Be prepared for the worst, but realize that odds are everything will be fine. If you do end up having any complication come back to this site and search the archives and post a new comment. Someone on the site probably had the same issue and will give you advice and support.
If you would lie some tips on the laparotomy just ask. I've been through it twice and it is not so bad. Good luck!
Laura :)
You're definitely NOT a coward. These are normal fears. I certainly understand the feeling of wanting the cyst out. You have to do what you believe is best for you.
Lactac,
I was interested in what you said about the blood flow in your cyst. I had the same doppler ultrasound (though I didn't know that was what it was called) and the sonologist told me that the good blood flow in the cyst meant it was less likely to be cancer. (By the way, doesn't that thing sound like jet engine? I had to laugh with the mental image of a jet taking off from my pelvis, because that's what the sound reminded me of the whole time.)
I was interested in what you said about the blood flow in your cyst. I had the same doppler ultrasound (though I didn't know that was what it was called) and the sonologist told me that the good blood flow in the cyst meant it was less likely to be cancer. (By the way, doesn't that thing sound like jet engine? I had to laugh with the mental image of a jet taking off from my pelvis, because that's what the sound reminded me of the whole time.)
YOU LADIES ARE AWESOME! I put a call into my doctor this morning before reading any of your comments.. I called her to cancel my surgery. I told her that I was willing to wait the additional 8 weeks for a 4th ultra sound. This is when I will request that she refer me to a gyno/onc... That will put it at 6 mos of watching the 5cm cyst. Do you guys think that I should try to find a gyno/onc before 8 weeks? Forgot to mention, that my doctor told me that I have a small cyst on my right ovary now. She said that she will watch it as well, and that it would be checked out when I have my surgery.
I guess that I just want the best doing my surgery in the case of it being cancer.
Thank you all... YOU ARE VERY STRONG LADIES TO GO THROUGH WHAT YOU HAVE, AND TO BE SO OPTIMISTIC... I lost my optimism when I watched my mother die of breast cancer... But... I try to be a positive as possible... afterall... GOD put me here for a reason, and I must make the best of it....
Thanks for listening.
Donnasingz
I guess that I just want the best doing my surgery in the case of it being cancer.
Thank you all... YOU ARE VERY STRONG LADIES TO GO THROUGH WHAT YOU HAVE, AND TO BE SO OPTIMISTIC... I lost my optimism when I watched my mother die of breast cancer... But... I try to be a positive as possible... afterall... GOD put me here for a reason, and I must make the best of it....
Thanks for listening.
Donnasingz
i/m having my cyst removed on the 1/august 2007 for a complex cyst ( 5.8cm) the doctor nhas said to me that i would possilbly loose my ovary too.i found out too then if it is cancer. its a waiting game. dont worry i'm sure you have made the rite choice cause i think i have by having surgery on it soon.
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