large ovarian cyst/ laparodomy vs laporoscopy?

[mgiorgi]

Hi, just diagnosed w/ 13cm Ovar Cyst on right ovary. GYN recommended that I go to gyn Oncologist after having CT scan, chest xray and BE. He says he just wants to be sure. But either way he is removing it. First he said, surgicenter, then said, "no, full operation room" and 2 day stay, 4-6 weeks no driving. Well, needless to say, I'm a bit nervous! Friends in med field tell me, insist on having this done laporscopically if possible (he first said yes to that, then said, no, I think I'll do laporodemy to be safe (excuse my non-med spelling). I know this is my health, but isn't the least invasive route safer, if poss. Not to mention that 4-6 wks no driving, w a FT job, 2 kids and no other adult living w/ me, it will be a huge burden!! Also, they are dragging this out  b/c oncologist isn't avail. I go back to work in a few weeks, meanwhile, I could be having this done in a few days! I'm a teacher and can't afford to take all that time when it could have been done in the summer!

Any feedback, advice, welcomed!!

[Lindita8]

Hi and welcome.  I too had surgery for complex ovarian mass and am in the school system.  It was good to have it done over the summer to give me time to heal.  They tried laproscopically but found out my fibroid wad pedunculated so had to do laparatomy too and got out the mass and fibroid.  Of course laproscopically you heal faster.  If you got a 2nd opinion another doctor may opt to remove it laproscopically.  Good luck.

Linda

[hopeshell]

I agree with your doctor and think you are much safer having a laparotomy with a cyst that large.   Any cyst greater than 5cm runs a greater risk of being malignant.  Is yours complex?  I am guessing it is since he referred you to a gyn/onc after your CT.  I think it is wonderful he has already referred you to gyn/onc to play it safe.  It sounds like he is giving you excellent care.

Odds are with you that it is benign.  I had a 6cm mass three years ago and it was early stage ovarian cancer.  I had no family history or high risk factors.  My doctor didn't really think it would be malignant...but it was.  So, I am of the opinion that it is always best to play it safe.    It is not uncommon for doctors to find benign, borderline and malignant cells in the same tumor (especially when they are large).  You can ONLY conclusively diagnosis ovarian cancer by removing the tumor and doing careful biopsy.  A tumor that large can't be removed safely without risking spreading disease in your pelvis.  A laprascopic surgery runs the risk of taking you from an early stage of cancer to a late stage rather quickly if the contents rupture during removal.  
I asked my gyn/onc and gyn if there was any way to to laproscopy before my surgery.  Both insisted laparotomy was the only safe choice.  I go to a major cancer center and my doctor is well known.  I really trust his judgment.

It is a bummer to have to deal with the longer recovery time and larger scar.  However, it is well worth it to get a correct surgery and extend your life if it does turn out to be malignant.  Here are a couple of links that I like to share because they explain about a gyn/onc and explain things in more detail:

http://oreilly.com/medical/news/ovarian_ten_things.html

http://www.wcn.org/articles/treatment/gynecologic_oncologists/overview/

Hopefully, all is benign and this will just be a bump in the road.  Keep us posted on how you are doing!

Shelly

[rudme]

I would get a second opinion.  In many cases, larger cysts can come out laproscopically.

[walkerwl]

Hi there,

I have just been diagnosed with a 10cm mass on my left ovary.  My normal gyn said it needs to be removed along with my left ovary.  I go Tuesday to see a gyn oncologist just to rule that out as well.  My gyn is very thorough - I love this group.  I will say you have to be persistent in asking for what you want.  

Have you tried going to get in with another oncologist?  I just called on Thursday and got in on Tuesday.  I have been very persistent since finding this mass on my CT scan.  I'm reading most of these cysts/mass are benign.  It sounds like it something very common that women develop.  I am 40 and have been blessed so far to have never got one.  I've been having lower left back pain and pain radiating in my left thigh for some time now.  I thought it was sciatic, but when MRI showed nothing I started researching some more.

Don't be nervous...pray and rebuke this mass from your body.  God knows what you can handle and will only give you that much.  I can't wait for both of us to start feeling better soon.  Good luck with everything!