potential risks of waiting?

It will be two years ago Dec 1, since I had an emergency laparotomy due to a ruptured appendix. During an ER visit due to complications 6 wks or so after returning home from hospital, a CT scan was done which showed an intestinal blockage (the factor causing my pain) and a complex right ovarian cyst, which the ER doc told me I should consult my gyn. regarding, but that it was probably no biggie...So I forgot all about the cyst until my next gyn appt. 9-10 mos later. An ultrasound showed that it was still there and four more ultrasounds and a CT scan later, it's still there, about the same size 4x6cm (depending on radiologist reading the findings), but has become more solid & septated?...Anyway my CA125 is low normal, I don't have any major symptoms (other than low level anemia, unusual for me) My belief in the beginning was that the mass had to be adhesions, scar tissue, whatever, since it was not there at the time of the surgery but appeared so soon thereafter. My gyn/onc. says it can't be scar tissue, because it has changed over time, and he feels I should have it removed, however he is now in need of wrist surgery and will be out of the OR for at least a couple of mos...I've put off this surgery for more than a year and am more than willing to put it off indefinitely...I support my grandbaby and taking the time off work for surgery will definitely affect my job position. My intuition tells me not to worry, this is all just a result of the peritonitis and/or surgery from 2 yrs. ago and I really don't want to undergo a needless surgery....Am I being foolish? Any advice?

Thanks, Pattie

Definitely follow the recommendations of a gyn/onc. If they recommend surgery, they know it should come out. Is there another gyn/onc whom you could see while yours is off? This would allow a second opinion and a shorter wait time. If you are covered under the FMLA (Family Leave Act) then your position cannot be affected by being off on medical leave. Find out (it's 15 or 50 employees I believe) and don't let anyone try to intimidate you. Surgery comes first.

s Pattie

There is never a good time for surgery!!
But when a cyst has the adjectives septated and solid applied to it, it is time for that cyst to be removed.
Unfortunately with ovarian cancer it takes a surgical biopsy to know for certain.
Please make sure that a gyn oncologist is the doctor to perform the surgery.
Best wishes.

oxoxox karenann

Hi Pattie,
I echo what Ellen and Karenann have said. You should do the surgery. 'indefinetly' is not a good idea. They don't know what the cyst is till they take it out. Better get it out.
Bless you!
-Sue

Yeap, ditto the excellent advice.

I had a mystery on my ovary, never did have a CA125 level that was interesting, I actually felt better than I had for awhile when I was having the discussions about surgery.

My gyne/onc said that he strongly recommended taking it out as the only way to figure out what it was. His instincts were right--it was a form of cancer in my ovary but not ovarian cancer so it didn't have any of the traditional symptoms/tests.

There are quite a few of these other forms of cancer that can show up in the ovary. And one problem with these rarer forms is that they don't really know how they behave, so just because whatever is happening is moving slowly now isn't great insurance that that's what it will keep doing.

Thanks Margaret(Ellen?), Karenann, Sue and Trish for your concern and kindness in responding to my post...I will plan to schedule the surgery as soon as my surgeon is back in biz after his surgery or if his recovery becomes extended, will find a new gyn/onc.

Thanks again...
Pattie