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large complex ovarian cyst
My 33 yr old daughter has been diagnosed as having a large (13.5 cm x 11 cm x 8.5 cm) COMPLEX ovarian cyst.
She is unmarried and has never had children, and was therefore very upset when told that surgery (scheduled for 30.9.08) would involve removal of cyst plus ovary ( the cyst is so large they dont even know WHICH ovary is affected), and its examination by frozen section. If cancerous or abnormal cells are found in the region of the cyst where the wall has a fairly prominent lump, then they will take biopsies of the other ovary and surrounding tissues, and if any abnormalities are found here proceed to removal of other ovary and full hysterectomy.
I have the following concerns
1. If both ovaries are remnoved would it be possible to rescue and arrange to preserve any availabler NORMAL ovarian tissue to give my daughter some chance of future motherhood? What would this 'preservation' process involve? Are there proven cases where such preserved tissue has been 'activated' to produce eggs which have resulted in successful later pregnancy??
2. Why would cancer in the ovaries necessitate hysterectomy?
We will be happy whatever the outcome if it means a healthy person who is cancer free, but want to proceed as conservatively as possible in terms of preserving her fertility too.
We are fearful and confused. After the initial diagnosis of an ovarian cyst we werent too upset as my daughter and I both have PCOS, but this cyst is nothing like the cysts I saw in my own ovaries, and it is causing some mild discomfort and some urinary type symptoms for my daughter. Obviously it is so large that it MUST be removed, and it's complex nature means that this removal must mean the loss of the ovary, which would be all that would occur if the cyst is benign, however ner CA125 scan came back with an elevated level (59) so we really won't know if it is cancerous until surgery.
She is unmarried and has never had children, and was therefore very upset when told that surgery (scheduled for 30.9.08) would involve removal of cyst plus ovary ( the cyst is so large they dont even know WHICH ovary is affected), and its examination by frozen section. If cancerous or abnormal cells are found in the region of the cyst where the wall has a fairly prominent lump, then they will take biopsies of the other ovary and surrounding tissues, and if any abnormalities are found here proceed to removal of other ovary and full hysterectomy.
I have the following concerns
1. If both ovaries are remnoved would it be possible to rescue and arrange to preserve any availabler NORMAL ovarian tissue to give my daughter some chance of future motherhood? What would this 'preservation' process involve? Are there proven cases where such preserved tissue has been 'activated' to produce eggs which have resulted in successful later pregnancy??
2. Why would cancer in the ovaries necessitate hysterectomy?
We will be happy whatever the outcome if it means a healthy person who is cancer free, but want to proceed as conservatively as possible in terms of preserving her fertility too.
We are fearful and confused. After the initial diagnosis of an ovarian cyst we werent too upset as my daughter and I both have PCOS, but this cyst is nothing like the cysts I saw in my own ovaries, and it is causing some mild discomfort and some urinary type symptoms for my daughter. Obviously it is so large that it MUST be removed, and it's complex nature means that this removal must mean the loss of the ovary, which would be all that would occur if the cyst is benign, however ner CA125 scan came back with an elevated level (59) so we really won't know if it is cancerous until surgery.
Well first I am sorry to hear about the situation. However ovarian cysts are very common, they can get extremely large; some causing pain and some that are cause no problems. Most women have cysts and never even know it. The reason for the hysterectomy is due to the HIGH risk of female cancers the metastasize to the uterus, endometrium and cervix that then in turn can follow to the peritoneal cavitiy and so on and so forth. Cancers are aggressive, but have good prognosis if you remove the source and the surrounding tissues. THAT is not to say her cysts are cancerous!!! But it is better to be safe and catch anything early. The answer to the fertility question should be discussed with her surgeon and the possibilities should be planned out. I hope the best and keep positive!
I know I am responding to this after the surgery date but I hope it went well. I too had a large complex ovarian cyst at a young age( I was 16). I'm 34 now and have 2 wonderful boys. So even if they did have to take an overy and tube out, don't get discouraged. You can still have children just keep your faith and know there out people out there that love you.
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