Ovca 1c

I had surgery for ovca on 3/01 and finished 6 mo. chemo in Aug. For my first check up, my oncologist ordered a contrast CT scan. He found a small, 2cm cyst. Subsequent pelvic ultrasounds reveal that the cyst is shrinking, and he seems to feel that it is a surgical left-over, and will eventually shrink and go away. Meanwhile, I have had another gyn/oncologist in Chapel Hill, NC consult, and while he doesn't seem to think the cyst is a problem, he sayes that the only way to be sure is to remove it. If I could have that done laprocoptcally, I would do it in a minute, but both Dr.s say that I could have adhesions that would require another incision like the first to get it out! I have a 7 in. scar, and it was really rough surgery to get over. Of course, I had my first big chemo in the hospital before I got out, so I had major surgery and chemo to get over at the same time. I worry that the cyst is cancer again, but since it's shrinking, and small to begin with, my local Dr. says wait and see. Very scary.

I just wondered if anyone else had an experience similar to mine, and what you did about it, and the outcome.

Hi Lannie,

I'm so sorry you're having this on top of everything you've already been through. I know its so scary.

I haven't had to have any repeat surgeries since the first but did have a scare right after my first round of chemo when we found my type of cancer was resistant to the first type of drug given. I was given another round with a different type of chemo drug and its done its job well.

I was wondering if you are being monitored with any blood work? I was getting monthly bloodwork for about 6 months after completing the second round. I get the CA125 blood test done to monitor mine, I know Maria here gets another kind which tests the Beta levels, I think that's the right one. Darn I'm now on a once every 3 month schedule, which I just had done this last week.

I wish you the best, I certainly hope this turns out to be nothing to worry about and you won't require any additional surgery. Please keep us updated on how you are doing.

{{hugs}}

Vicki

Hi Lannie,

Good to hear that your chemo is over. Thats a happy day as many of us know here.

As Vicki mentioned the blood test I am monitored by is the Beta or the LDH, depending on which oncologist orders the test. These markers if elevated will tell them if there is any thing to worry about, the same way as the CA125 does. I would think that you probably are being monitored carefully. Its good that this cyst is shrinking in size though. I understand about getting over the surgery and chemo at the same time as I started chemo 10 days after surgery and they re-admitted me for my 5 day treatment for the first round.

I understand about not wanting another surgery, but if it will ease your mind completely it may be worth going through. Just my opinion Lannie. Would it have to be another large incicison to do this I wonder though? Also, the fact that it would not be as much work to the insides as the hysterectomy was, and you wouldn't be having chemo afterward, you may have an easier time with the recovery than the first time.

It really is a hard decision, but if you are being watched and monitored thorugh blood tests, it may be fine to just wait it out a bit.
Please keep us posted on how things are going. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers Lannie.
Hugs
Maria