Laparoscopy for Complex Adnexal Mass

Hello,

I'm new to the Hyster Sisters and am finding the posts from fellow sisters extraordinarily helpful.

I have a 6-7 cm (and growing) complex adnexal mass near one ovary and now a 2-3 cm complex mass on the other. I've had the CA-125 blood test and my level was 48 (not extraordinarily high, but not normal). I've had CA19-9 and CEA tests, which are normal. My CBC and comprehensive metabolic panel were both normal.

My laparascopic surgery is scheduled on January 7th. My doc says she thinks I have endo rather than cancer, but she won't know for sure until the path report returns. In addition, I won't actually know how many "parts" I will lose until I wake up from anesthesia (boy am I thankful for post-surgery valium!)

I was wondering if any of you have experienced similar scenarios and what your doctor's findings after surgery were.

I am nervous. I'm a (40 year old) returning college student and have finals this week. I'm having a great deal of difficulty focusing on my classes. Am I over-reacting to all this? Am I being a big baby?

Thanks for all help, insight and comfort.

Teresa
Sammamish, WA

Hi Teresa

You are definitely not overreacting. There is nothing harder than being a "lady in waiting," especially when there is even a slight possibility of cancer. I also found it hard to concentrate on my work last year when I was waiting for the pathology report from my D & C. I would have a hard time reading or studying because I couldn't focus. At times like that it's as if the whole world stops and the test takes up most of the room in your mind, even though you try to forget about it. It's the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning and the last thing you think of at night when you go to sleep.

I'll keep you in my prayers and I wish you strength--yes, it takes a special kind of strength to wait!

Monalees
TAH for endometrial cancer, 12/02
glad to be alive
"Only in God is my soul at rest." Psalm 62

s Teresa

Hopefully all will be fine and the masses will be benign.
But in the meantime....... ovarian masses that are considered complex, need the attention of a gynecologic oncology surgeon. They are the experts with problems that could potentially be ovarian cancer. So if your current doctor is an ob/gyn I suggest getting a second opinion from a gyn/onc doc.
All of the ladies posting here with ovarian cancer would second my opinion.
Best wishes to you. Please post again and let us know how you make out.

karenann

Yep, I agree. I think I should see a gyn oncologist. I can't see how it would hurt and I have a whole month to wait.

Thanks for the input.

Teresa,

I am 4-weeks post-op. I had complex cysts on both ovaries, and had all the tests done that you had done. My CA-125 was 32. The ovarian cysts turned out to be benign cystadenomas. I also had a cyst on my peritoneal wall (20 cm!!). Most complex cysts are not malignant, although there is that chance with anything. If you search online outside of this site, you can find some medical sites that will give you detailed information and statistics on your situation.

Hang in there!