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Complex Irregular Mass???
So I posted last month about a 12cm mass on my right ovary that has been troubling me for months. I have family history of cancer. Female cancer on mothers side. Lung cancer on fathers side. Have had 2 CT scans w/contrast and a ultrasound as well as a MRI on 5/4/15 w/contrast. I WAS originally told after I would be sent to a OB/GYN for the surgery. But today I was called with the results. "Instead of sending you to an OB/GYN, we are going to straight refer you to a surgeon, its a complex mass, very irregular, and you will have to discuss how to go about removing it". Now before everyone was dragging their heels. I was a hurry up and wait case with everyone. Suddenly I'm going to a surgeon and am very nervous. I don't know what to prepare myself for or how to prepare for it. My son lives with his grandma and my dad recently lost two siblings in a year to cancer. So I'm a little freaked out and panicked.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I recall your other post and responded to it but I do not recall if you said you have a family history of ovarian cancer. If you do, then that is more concerning. If you do not, then hopefully, you would fit the statistics for this cyst being benign since the average woman's lifetime risk of OC is less than 2% (1.4% per U.S. government statistics).
You said instead of being referred to an ob/gyn, you are being referred to a surgeon. Ob/gyn's are surgeons (at least in the U.S.) so maybe they referred you to a gynecologic oncologist which would be good since there is a chance this could be cancer. But the size itself (12cm) warrants surgery, cancer suspicion or not.
You will want to question the surgeon's plans for both scenarios, benign and cancerous. If the cyst is benign (per the frozen section done while you are under anesthesia), you may want to make sure only the cyst is removed (cystectomy) since the ovaries are important for overall health as well as optimal fertility. Of course, this all has to be weighed against your OC risk which you may or may not have inherited (if there is even OC in your family). Not all surgeons have good cystectomy skills so you could still lose your ovary for a benign cyst.
I was grossly over-treated (both ovaries, uterus, and tubes removed) for a benign cyst even though I had no family history of OC. I was a lot older than you (49) but it has affected my life in many ways. I wish I had done a better job of advocating for myself including revising the surgical consent form.
I hope this helps you get appropriate treatment. Please keep us posted on how this progresses. And don't hesitate to ask questions, research, seek other opinions, etc.
You said instead of being referred to an ob/gyn, you are being referred to a surgeon. Ob/gyn's are surgeons (at least in the U.S.) so maybe they referred you to a gynecologic oncologist which would be good since there is a chance this could be cancer. But the size itself (12cm) warrants surgery, cancer suspicion or not.
You will want to question the surgeon's plans for both scenarios, benign and cancerous. If the cyst is benign (per the frozen section done while you are under anesthesia), you may want to make sure only the cyst is removed (cystectomy) since the ovaries are important for overall health as well as optimal fertility. Of course, this all has to be weighed against your OC risk which you may or may not have inherited (if there is even OC in your family). Not all surgeons have good cystectomy skills so you could still lose your ovary for a benign cyst.
I was grossly over-treated (both ovaries, uterus, and tubes removed) for a benign cyst even though I had no family history of OC. I was a lot older than you (49) but it has affected my life in many ways. I wish I had done a better job of advocating for myself including revising the surgical consent form.
I hope this helps you get appropriate treatment. Please keep us posted on how this progresses. And don't hesitate to ask questions, research, seek other opinions, etc.
OC does run in my family on my mothers side. They call it the family curse. Every woman on her side without a complete hysterectomy by about my age or before has gotten or died of some form of lady cancer. Be it cervical or ovarian. And just recently I lost 2 family member on my dads side an aunt and a uncle less than 6 months apart to lung cancer. We didn't even know they had it till they passed. So needless to say I've lost a bit of sleep over this. My mom and grandma had complete hysterectomies at younger than my age or near my age. My great aunt Katy had cervical cancer and is in remission and lost her bits and pieces. As well as a double mastectomy. Lost all my great aunts to different female cancers.
Forgot to mention my doctors office called me earlier today with my surgeon referral and my consult is on Monday 8a.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am sorry for all this cancer! I should have gone back to your other post to refresh my memory before I replied here. It is good that the doctors have stopped dragging their feet and are now moving forward!
Let us know what you find out at the consult. Sending caring thoughts...
Let us know what you find out at the consult. Sending caring thoughts...
Its ok. I'm preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. I looked up my surgeon online he seems well regarded. So fingers crossed.
Been having a rough weekend. Pains intensified. Was wondering how long after consult usually they scheduled,the surgery... I wouldn't usually anticipate a surgery this eagerly but, im in so much pain lately that I just want to know if I should be prepared to wait more, or less than a few days...
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am sorry the pain is intensifying! Here in the U.S., they can usually get you into surgery pretty quickly. I was at my doctor's one week and scheduled for surgery the next week (5 days later to be exact). I did cancel because everything was happening too fast and I felt I was not getting all the necessary information plus the pain resolved by the time I saw my gynecologist. Unfortunately, I let him reschedule me and wish I had taken more time to research and seek out another / other opinion(s) besides the oncologist to whom he sent me for consultation.
Just be sure to go armed with your list of questions because it is hard to remember everything. When I went to see the oncologist, I wish I had discussed the u/s report from the gynecologist versus allowing him to do his own u/s first thing. Never having seen this doctor before, I felt that put me in a compromising position and made me nervous. But I think he was also "incahoots" with my gynecologist so was not the best "second opinion."
Just be sure to go armed with your list of questions because it is hard to remember everything. When I went to see the oncologist, I wish I had discussed the u/s report from the gynecologist versus allowing him to do his own u/s first thing. Never having seen this doctor before, I felt that put me in a compromising position and made me nervous. But I think he was also "incahoots" with my gynecologist so was not the best "second opinion."
Well my primary care has been taking excellent care of me. I haven't even seen a gyno yet. She was going to send me to one but apparently I'm being sent to a surgeon that specializes in diseased and damaged tissue in the abdominal and pelvic area. I researched him and he's well known and people really seem happy with him.
Well surgeon consult went fine. I guess. Dimensions: 15.5cm x 11.8cm x 6cm... And apparently they've been telling me the wrong ovary... Its the left... And they can't see any ovarian tissue left... Its just taken over... Gone... But the surgeon said my uterus looks good and ny other ovary looks healthy he said. And he would prefer an ob/gyn do the surgery. And he reccomended no hysterectomy. Only the mass removed.
COMMUNITY LEADER
So is this surgeon a general surgeon and not a gynecologic oncologist? Since his recommendation is conservative (removal of the mass only), is he saying he is 100% sure (or close to it) that it is benign? Or does he not even have expertise in gynecologic issues? What was his take on your family history of ovarian cancer? Any discussion of BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing?
It is not surprising that your ovary is not visible. The ovary is very small - the size of an almond - and sometimes cannot even be seen on ultrasound when there is no cyst or mass. Plus cysts oftentimes encapsulate the ovary which is why it is easier to remove the ovary versus "shell it out" from the encapsulating cyst.
Wishing you the best as you move forward through the medical maze. I will be watching for your updates.
It is not surprising that your ovary is not visible. The ovary is very small - the size of an almond - and sometimes cannot even be seen on ultrasound when there is no cyst or mass. Plus cysts oftentimes encapsulate the ovary which is why it is easier to remove the ovary versus "shell it out" from the encapsulating cyst.
Wishing you the best as you move forward through the medical maze. I will be watching for your updates.
I have been referred to an gynecological Oncologist for the surgery... He felt it would be better. "large multicystic mass appears to originate from the left ovary, malignancy cannot be excluded". That was the report I read on my health records. So I'm shaking a bit... Its a jagged pill to swallow thinking if I would have to ever tell me daddy his daughter has cancer after he recently lost his brother and sister to cancer...
At least I can boast I'm going to be treated by the same office that treated Angelina Jolie... Guess that's something to tell my eight year old and give my fiance faith...
So I found out the surgeon that consulted me FORGOT to do the referral or at least failed to send the fax to my physician so she could do the referral... So I had to do everything so still waiting for the referral that my physician is sending today...
Is this an assessment for malignancy? Ovarian cystic mass (620.2 | N83.20)
I found it on my consultation report.... Idk what it means...
I found it on my consultation report.... Idk what it means...
Well I raised hell a bit and got my referral thru in less than 24hrs... Now the oncology center has to get my records and present them to the doctor to rush a sooner appt than she has available...
I have been out of mind stressed since just after Easter. I thought it was a UTI but gyn palpated a mass so off to the ultrasound. Completely and totally freaked me out when I saw the screen. I could even see what doesn't belong in there. So I just had a CT scan today for a 12+ cm mass on right ovary. I have no family cancer history but also have a lot of uterine fibroids. I was referred to gyn/onc and I have surgery scheduled in June. I have opted to have a total hysterectomy because I am 53 but still not menopause. I want all the angry lady parts gone!
I know how you feel ally I've been going thru this for over five months now... But found out about the mass I think 2.5mos ago... The gyn onc they ref me to didn't accept my insurance so I'm back to twiddling my thumbs... :-/ I am so tired of the lower back pain pressure etc... I thought it was a severe uti myself five months ago... And its taken five months just to get this far...
Ok I think I finally have an appt. May 26th 10a. Hoping things are just going to be done...
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am sorry I am behind on replying! I am glad you finally have an appointment - sorry for all the "rigamarole" to finally get one! Hopefully, this cyst is benign.
620.2 is an ICD-9 code meaning "other and unspecified ovarian cyst." ICD-10 (newer, more specific codes) will split this in two as:
N83.20 - Unspecified ovarian cysts
N83.29 - Other ovarian cysts
Why they need separate codes for unspecified versus other is beyond me! Bottom line, imaging cannot specifically tell the type of cyst. Biopsy will be necessary to determine that.
Be sure to make a list of questions for your appointment. I know I was very nervous. I actually made a list and then ran off and forgot it which was to my detriment.
Let us know how your appointment goes. Sending positive thoughts...
620.2 is an ICD-9 code meaning "other and unspecified ovarian cyst." ICD-10 (newer, more specific codes) will split this in two as:
N83.20 - Unspecified ovarian cysts
N83.29 - Other ovarian cysts
Why they need separate codes for unspecified versus other is beyond me! Bottom line, imaging cannot specifically tell the type of cyst. Biopsy will be necessary to determine that.
Be sure to make a list of questions for your appointment. I know I was very nervous. I actually made a list and then ran off and forgot it which was to my detriment.
Let us know how your appointment goes. Sending positive thoughts...
COMMUNITY LEADER
Welcome to the community.
I have been in your shoes. I had a 9.5cm ovarian cyst. I had a total hysterectomy and regret that. The frozen section done while I was in the operating room was negative (benign) so all that should have been removed was the cyst or the one ovary. The removal of my organs has caused many more problems than it resolved.
Hysterectomy and oophorectomy are two of the top overused surgeries with only 2% done for a cancer diagnosis. The uterus and ovaries have lifelong non-reproductive functions.
So please be sure you understand the ramifications of their removal before going into the operating room. I wish I had understood everything I have learned in the 9 years since my unwarranted hysterectomy at age 49.
I have been in your shoes. I had a 9.5cm ovarian cyst. I had a total hysterectomy and regret that. The frozen section done while I was in the operating room was negative (benign) so all that should have been removed was the cyst or the one ovary. The removal of my organs has caused many more problems than it resolved.
Hysterectomy and oophorectomy are two of the top overused surgeries with only 2% done for a cancer diagnosis. The uterus and ovaries have lifelong non-reproductive functions.
So please be sure you understand the ramifications of their removal before going into the operating room. I wish I had understood everything I have learned in the 9 years since my unwarranted hysterectomy at age 49.
Well finally had my appt yesterday. My doctor said he only wants to take out the mass and most likely the left ovary its attached to and want to leave my uterus and righty in. But since there's a chance of malignancy he is going to check for cancer on the table in a bag and if there's cancer everything has to be removed. So that's the only possibility of losing everything. I have bloodwork coming up on June 4th for genetic testing for the cancer markers IN CASE it is benign since the cancer pops up in the women in my family 35-45. And if I have the markers he says about 40 would be the time for a hysterectomy to keep from getting cancer IF I HAVE the markers. He seems to be a pretty decent doc and really reassuring. My surgery is scheduled for June 10th. They are using the da Vinci robot so a few small incisions not a huge slice.
COMMUNITY LEADER
It sounds like you are in good hands as long as this surgeon has done a lot of robotic surgeries. I hope your surgery goes well and the mass is benign! I also hope you do not have the cancer markers (BRCA1 and BRCA2 tests?) I will be thinking about you and waiting to hear back.
Well did my preop appt. In the home stretch.. Cant take NSAID's. Which of course were all i had in the house apparently.. Exhausted ready for this to happen...
COMMUNITY LEADER
They have dragged their feet with you. Thank heavens the day is almost here. They had me in very quickly and my surgeon said he had to do a laparotomy (big incision) but I suspect only because he did not have good laparascopic skills. Another reason could be that the resident(s) (who I was not even aware would be there) needed to meet their abdominal hysterectomy surgical requirements.
I missed your post where you said you are being treated by the same office as Angelina Jolie. Cool!
Hang in there. I will be thinking about you next Wednesday and hoping for a good outcome!
I missed your post where you said you are being treated by the same office as Angelina Jolie. Cool!
Hang in there. I will be thinking about you next Wednesday and hoping for a good outcome!
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