Scared of the Dermoid

I'm scheduled for a TAH including ovaries and tubes July 11. I've really been trying to stay calm but I'm having a bad day and am scared and upset. I've been crying most of the day. I'm worried about the surgery and I'm even more worried about the results of the biopsy that will follow. Even though I know the majority of dermoid teratomas are benign, my imagination is working over time and I'm afraid the TAH won't resolve the problem. I'm afraid the biopsy will show cancer. In addition to the dermoid (aka "Fast Jack"), I have a complex cyst and multiple simple cysts. The gastrointestinal issues are driving me nuts and are the most scary symptoms to me. They come and go. I had relief until today.
The question that is causing me anxiety is how do radiologists know a dermoid isn't cancerous? Can anyone here provide insight? Are any other sisters cancer-scared like I am?
Zone_V

I was cancer scared when waiting for my hyst ( almost 5 years ago now ). I had precancerous uterine tumors. My pathology came back benign. I've had normal paps since and have been declared " in the clear". I'll pray for the same good results for you too

S

Hi Jean,
Thanks for sharing your story. It helps me keep things in perspective. I'm scared and excited at the same time. Scared the problems won't end with the hysterectomy but excited about the possibility that the problems will end -- and then life would get back to normal. I keep rereading my medical records -- the US and scan reports, my wet prep, as these reports do offer a little reassurance. I'll be so glad when this is over with. And I'm glad to hear you're in the clear -- that's encouraging and wonderful news.
Laura

Zone-V-I'am sending you some hugs for your rough day. I work in a diagnostic center and I'am friends with the sono gals and radiologist when they were doing my sono they walked my thru it and explained everything including telling me that I have a mass that is consistent with cancer but couldn't say for sure and that's just one of many things found..My heart sank at that very moment I couldn't control my tears. Ovarian cancer runs in my family so I'am worried about it and the only way to really know for sure is the biospy report. Like you I have read that sono report over and over and over...you know maybe if I read it enough it will change its results..hehehehe

Setrimacoky,
Thanks for the hugs -- here's a for you! I'm sorry to hear about the results of your sono. Don't give up -- the biopsy might turn out to be the source of good news. I hope so and will keep you in my thoughts. Did you have a gyn/onc take a look at your sono pictures?
I don't know about you but the wait is starting to take its toll. On one hand I'm glad to have the extra time to get my life in order before the surgery. On the other hand, waiting and not knowing is wearing me down.
I saw the US images of my adnexal mass and it looked like a half moon with lines on its interior, kind of like the lines you'd see on an onion skin. It reminded me of the rings we see on trees. The mass is on the outside of the ovary and is 4.5cm. The left side had a complex cyst which looked like 2 or 3 smaller cysts had merged to form one. The night I had the first set of scans I was too out of it (morphine for acute pain) to ask the US tech questions. The second time I had a US (after hospitalization) I watched what she was doing and asked questions. She said the US looked identical to the previous US, meaning no changes to the mass or cysts. My pap came back normal so at least there's no cervical cancer and blood work was all okay. I wish they could run the blood test to check for cancer (CA-125?) but PID can produce false readings. I can't wait for the biopsy and at the same time I'm dreading it. -- Laura

My dr seems to think everything is ok since my pap was normal. She will send it in for a biopsy. She said that sonos weren't always very good diagnostic tools. She seemd very positive about it but was very adament about having the TAH. I'll keep you in my prayers I hope everything works out for you also

Hi Setrimacoky,
Your doctor's impression is positive and encouraging. Super good news that your pap was normal.
I'd love to hear about your pre-op experience. Your surgery is scheduled just before mine! -- Laura

I would like to hear about yours also my pre-ops on 07/03/07 when is yours?

Hi Laura.

Welcome to the world of the mature teratoma A.K.A. dermoid cyst. It should be reassuring to you that the majority of dermoids are benign. I had a dermoid plus another complex mass on my R ovary. I went to a gyn/onc (actually had two opinions from different gyn/oncs) and they can pretty much tell you right away from looking at your mass if they think it's malignant -- there are other characteristics and symptoms that present with OvCa.

I had an LAVH/BSO on May 18th and the doc told me that afternoon that everything looked good. The final path. report will definitively give you the answers, but remember these guys do this for a living and see it every day. It was hard to just trust that everything would be OK, but I tried not to worry and trusted that if the doc thought it looked like OvCa then he would have bumped me to the first avail. surgery instead of waiting. Of course, he was right and I'm fine and doing well.

The worst part for me was imagining what that thing looked like inside me -- I did a Google Image search and it was gross. After I settled down I would make jokes with my friends about needing an extra toothbrush and hair brush for the hospital for my "Little Buddy" -- it helped keep my sanity while I was waiting for the surgery.

Hang in there -- you don't have much longer to wait. Your surgeon should be able to tell you in the recovery room if everything looked OK. I'm sending my best wishes to you and "Fast Jack" for a smooth and easy go of it.

Hi Setrimacoky,
My pre-op is on July 5 and my surgery is on July 11. I'll post my pre-op experience too.