to cut or not to cut??

[jenashmcd]

Hi there! I have been dealing with an ovarian mass for nearly a year now and am debating whether I should just have the laparoscopy finally. Long story short, I discovered I had a problem when I felt excruciating pain during a period last August. By October, I found out I had a golf-ball sized mass on my left ovary. I have been monitoring the mass and blood since then. I am on depo provera now, so I don't get periods. That being said, I don't get cramps--but I know that is just a bandaid fix. I do feel a constant pressure where the mass is, and it drives me psychologically insane--the wondering if it could be bad. I have been to many doctors, and they all highly doubt malignancy. It is complex and predominately solid, but they believe it to be a dermatoid or endometriosis. My CA 125 levels have wavered between 27 and 43. One more thing, I am an American living in Colombia, but I am dealing with one of the best hospitals in all of Latin America. I really like my new doctor and trust him, but he said he would have to do 4 incisions. Does that sound right? Prior, I'd thought it would just be 3. If you were in my position, would you just go ahead and get the surgery? Side note, I recently finished my Ph.D. and don't yet have a full-time job, so I figure I should probably do it when I don't have to worry about returning to work during recovery. Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks so much!

Jen

[Emily9582]

4 incisions is normal for a laparoscopy. Especially for w cyst of large cm. if it is causing you pain physical or emotionally you should get it removed especially because it may grow and cause you more pain or damage other organs. Also if it is solid there is always a chance of malignancy so you need to eliminate that possibility or take care of the problem f that would happen to be the case. I know surgery can sound scary and it is, but If you are seeing an experienced Doctor whom you trust, you will be well taken care of. I had a soccer ball sized one removed yesterday and it was well worth it. The worst part of surgery is just the gas afterwards, which is tolerable. Best of luck to you.

[AnnieBrooke]

If you are going psychologically insane over this, I don't see why you would not get the surgery.  What is the deal with asking the doctor how many incisions and then mistrusting the situation because he might make 4 when you (who are not a doctor) think he should make 3?  You are content to live with a mass that could be removed because you are somehow more qualified than a medical doctor to say how many incisions there should be?