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Removing Fallopian tubes as well as an ovarian cyst
I have a 10cm cyst on my ovary which the gynocologist recommends removing. He also said he'd have to remove the ovary and Fallopian tube on that side and recommends removing the tube on the other side as preventative maintenance from cancer. My mother had breast cancer but we have no ovarian cancer in our family. This is all new and I'm looking for thoughts , suggestions. I want the least invasive approach preferably. Thanks
COMMUNITY LEADER
Just keep in mind that it is your body and you are the one who will suffer the consequences. The 20 years of trust I had in my gynecologist was my downfall. Plus I was raised to follow "doctor's orders" but had I listened to my intuition instead of dismissing it, I would probably still be intact and healthy leading my once taken for granted pre-hysterectomy / oophorectomy life.
Also I'm sorry to hear you've had a rough go and that they performed an unnecessary procedure. Your experience makes me a little Leary!
Thanks for your insight Old before my time.
My mother had breast cancer but not ovarian. id like to get another opinion actually but our resources are very limited in the Yukon. I don't have any issue removing the cyst but I'm not that excited about removing anything else if it's avoidable. I'll see what I can do from here. Thanks again!
My mother had breast cancer but not ovarian. id like to get another opinion actually but our resources are very limited in the Yukon. I don't have any issue removing the cyst but I'm not that excited about removing anything else if it's avoidable. I'll see what I can do from here. Thanks again!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Welcome to the community. I am sorry you are dealing with this. It is concerning that without a family history of ovarian cancer (OC) your doctor wants to remove your ovary and tubes. Absent a family history of OC, a woman's lifetime risk is very low, 1.3% per National Cancer Institute. Breast cancer (BC) is MUCH more common than ovarian cancer. Many breast cancers have no genetic link to either BC or OC.
There should be no need to remove the ovary or tubes if the frozen section done while you are in the operating room shows that the cyst is benign (non-cancerous) as most cysts are. However, some doctors do not have good cystectomy (cyst removal) skills which is why far too many women lose ovary(ies) unnecessarily.
The ovaries are not just for reproduction. Medical studies show that they produce hormones up to at least age 80 (just as a man's testicles do). These hormones are essential to every aspect of health and well-being. Removal of one ovary can disrupt the whole system as the other ovary does not always pick up the slack. I have even heard of women going into "surgical menopause" after removal of one ovary. Removal of the tubes (and even tubal sterilization) can also have a negative effect on hormone production.
My organs were needlessly removed 9 years ago at age 49 for a 9.5cm benign ovarian cyst. The effects were "fast and furious" and have been beyond devastating. I made the mistake of trusting my long-time gynecologist. I wish I had searched out a surgeon who said he would do a cystectomy and not remove any organs if the cyst was benign. I also wish I had protected myself / my organs via the surgical consent form by being explicit about what could and could not be removed and under what circumstances (no organs to be removed if no cancer)!
You did not mention the characteristics of your cyst. Although it is likely benign since most are, if there is a chance of malignancy, it is best to have a gynecologic oncologist do the surgery. But still, if the frozen section is benign, only the cyst should be removed.
I hope this helps!
There should be no need to remove the ovary or tubes if the frozen section done while you are in the operating room shows that the cyst is benign (non-cancerous) as most cysts are. However, some doctors do not have good cystectomy (cyst removal) skills which is why far too many women lose ovary(ies) unnecessarily.
The ovaries are not just for reproduction. Medical studies show that they produce hormones up to at least age 80 (just as a man's testicles do). These hormones are essential to every aspect of health and well-being. Removal of one ovary can disrupt the whole system as the other ovary does not always pick up the slack. I have even heard of women going into "surgical menopause" after removal of one ovary. Removal of the tubes (and even tubal sterilization) can also have a negative effect on hormone production.
My organs were needlessly removed 9 years ago at age 49 for a 9.5cm benign ovarian cyst. The effects were "fast and furious" and have been beyond devastating. I made the mistake of trusting my long-time gynecologist. I wish I had searched out a surgeon who said he would do a cystectomy and not remove any organs if the cyst was benign. I also wish I had protected myself / my organs via the surgical consent form by being explicit about what could and could not be removed and under what circumstances (no organs to be removed if no cancer)!
You did not mention the characteristics of your cyst. Although it is likely benign since most are, if there is a chance of malignancy, it is best to have a gynecologic oncologist do the surgery. But still, if the frozen section is benign, only the cyst should be removed.
I hope this helps!
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