new to the group

In March of 2003 I had an ultrasound that diagnosed firbroids on the uterus and an ovarian cyst that were of "NO CONCERN" to my doctor at that time although he ordered a follow up ultrasound for 3 mths later. The ultrasound I had done June 19 showed the fibroids are not 'changing' at all but the cyst had grown to the size of probably a large grapefruit. This is when I was told surgery would be required. I was very scared and emotional, due to being told the posibility of cancer always was involved and what the possibilities of having more children could be. My CA125 test came back VERY GOOD, only 19. Anything under 35 was good to my understanding. Also, I met with a gyn oncologist on July 11. He examined me and feels the cyst has grown even larger but also said his honest opinion was that there was probably less than a 5-10% chance that cancer would be involved. I have NO pain, just bloated and full feeling. I am just very uneasy about not knowing what exactly will be the outcome of my surgery. Will I wake up to a missing cyst and ovary or a hysterectomy? The thought of being told I CAN'T ever bear more children is a real concern to me! I have discussed how strongly I feel with my doctors so I hope he will keep that in mind. Obviously, if he feels my chances are slim to none and there will be real health risks involved than I expect he will do the hysterectomy. I will be having an open abdominal precedure. I am new here and just wanted to tell my story and maybe get some input. Thanks.

(((La512))))),

Welcome to Hystersisters!!!!!!!!

Most Drs. try to be conservetive during surgery. Although they can have a good idea from pre op tests, they can't be 100% sure of what all needs to be done til they actually see inside.

I knew I would have a TAH/BSO (everything) pre op, but there was even more *stuff* found then thought.

So please remind your Dr. that you want to save your ability to have children if possible.

I hope it works out the way you want .

Best wishes,

Pamcat

I would bring the issue up with your doctor again- it should be in writing when you sign your papers. If I were in your shoes I would insist that only the ovary with the cyst be removed, and if practical, just remove the cyst. One ovary works as well as two, so I wouldn't be concerned if they need to remove it.

If in the slim change cancer is found (these cysts are almost always benign, but there's no sure way to tell without surgery) I would get a couple oncology opinions on how to proceed since you do want to have children. I live in Massachusetts and a Boston TV personality (named Joyce Kulhawik) had ovarian cancer twice. She insisted on only having ONE ovary removed the first time (cancer was stage 1) and retaining the uterus and other ovary against standard medical advice, because she was young and still wanted a child. She later had a child. A few years later she developed cancer in the second ovary but it was removed, and she's been cancer free for many years. You might find further info on her by going to your search engine.

For many years when a woman had an ovarian cyst they took EVERYTHING out (and none of it turned out to be cancer!)- I think with the current info we have on hormone replacement therapy, many are rethinking this. I've never really been a big fan of "take it out because of the risk of future cancer". Well, should we have our breasts or anything else removed because they might become cancerous someday???