I am going to have surgery on May 04, still so hesitent if i should remove both ovaries. i have a 10x14 ovarian complex cyst with thick septations, CA125 is 17. The oncologist said the chance of malinancy is 15-20%. She suggests to remove both ovaries because i am not going to bear any more children and just in case anything in future. A frozen section (quick biocy) is going to be performed during the surgery. If the result comes back malignant, the surgeon will also remove the lymph nodes. If the result comes back benign, then the surgery will be done, no further action required. I don’t understand why the oncologist still suggests the total abdominal hysterectomy even the result comes back benign? Because it’s not 100% accurate? Or I just don’t need these female organs?
I am 43, I really want to save one ovary if it’s benign, as I am so scared of the surgical menopause and the side effects of HRT, my family doctor told me that I probably will be on HRT for 10 years (43 -55). The oncologist said she will not put me on HRT first, if I have hotflash, then she give me medicine to deal with it. But aren’t these medication also hormone related? She also said everybody is different in responding to forced menopause, some are severe some are mild. I knew some people no symptoms at all when they removed the ovaries, but they were at the age of 48. I don’t know if anyone is that lucky at age of 43 without symptoms.
On the other hand I am also scared of the accuracy of frozen section and the chance of second surgery, the recurrence of the cyst.
These thoughts really drive me crazy, can anyone share your experiences and thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Hello!i have an 11cm simply cyst on my left ovary, I was in severe pain last September when it was found, have been having it monitored for the passed 7 Mths, went to hospital Friday doctor suggested I have it removed and both ovaries so I don't get anymore. Iv never been into hospital either to have an operation and I'm petrified but can't wait to get it out as I'm always feeling so Bloated! I'm 53 in my menopause so losing both ovaries no big deal for me.
I'm scared of the surgery too but hopefully when all done will feel much better and no need to worry about anymore cysts. I'm now waiting for my appointment which should be in the next couple of months!
Don't be worried about the op.
It will probably be done laparoscopically and is fast to get over with minimal pain. I had a cyst plus ovary and tube removed last year, it was fine. I would do the same again.
Oh Thankyou so much that is very reassuring for me I can't wait to get it removed I feel so tired and bloated all the time.
I had a long anaesthetic, because I had a lot of adhesions from a previous hysterectomy. Plus the main surgery was a prolapse repair which is a big operation --I asked him to remove the cyst while I was out-- he had to remove the ovary as well due to the cyst being wrapped round it.
I told the anaesthetist I was usually sick and asked him to give me some anti sickness meds, he did, and after recovery I slept for most of the day.
It was ok. I went for a scan last week, due to anaemia and bloating but haven't got the results yet, but if I have a cyst on my remaining ovary I will have it removed.
Doctor say I be out fir about 45 mins drain cyst remove it and both ovaries x Iv asked for a ore med I will also ask for anti sickness too lol xx
Hi Grace, I was on hrt for over 15 years after hysterctomy, which didn't remove ovaries, put me into menopause at 42.
I am now back on oestradial gel hrt due to atrophy. The hrt completely cured any menopause symptoms, and nowadays is a lot safer.
I wouldn't hesitate if I were you, you don't need the ovaries anymore, and with a history of cysts you may get more.
The womb on it's own is no use anymore.
Follow your heart, I'm same age as you and was told same thing, my CA125 was 25, my ct scan report came back as suspicious, with septations like yours but I still refused to have a hysterectomy! The agreement I came to in the end with the oncologist was removal of affected ovary, tube and cyst only and a biopsy of the cyst and bowel membrane. Everything came back normal and I haven't had to go into surgical menopause. So no second surgery for me which was what the surgeon threatened.
I'm now 13 weeks post op and so pleased I stuck to my guns! My surgeon didn't seem particularly happy with my reasoning but I knew my body and he didn't!
Unfortunately your oncologist maybe suggesting a total hysterectomy for the same reason mine did.....its probably easier for them and your not going to be an ovarian cancer statistic further down the road.
I did almost change my mind on the day of my surgery but thankfully stuck by my decision. I know menopause is inevitable but i just didn't want to go into a surgical one. The surgeon backtracked with his options so while he was reluctantly agreeing with me I took that option!
Hope that helps somewhat, we are all different and have opinions but I think ultimately if you know your body then go with your gut instinct. I was made to feel like I was probably being arrogant in going against my surgeons advice but it felt like advice without any options. He never in went into what it would be like to go into surgical menopause and for that I immediately suspected his planned surgery was out of ease for him and as a patient I didn't matter.
I think I have responded to some of your queries about 3 months ago, recognised your name.
Hope you find a resolution and come to a decision soon. Cysts really zap you, I feel totally different now I've had the op, I have loads more energy again.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, you'll get there, you just need to be sure how you get there.
Take care and good luck. 👍X
Hi Laura, thanks for your response. Did you have severe menopause symtoms at the beginning? Any noticeable changes after taking HRT, e.g. weight gains, bone desity issue?
Hi Fljack, yes you did respond to my queries back in Feb. I am so glad that no second surgery was required for you and now you are doing well! My surgery was originally scheduled on Feb 24 then I canceled it and requested the gynecologist to refer me to an oncologist for second opinion and frozen section to be performed during the surgery. I was hoping that would reduce the risk of second surgery if I decide to keep one ovary. So I was so disappointed when the oncologist still suggested a total hysterectomy. But she said she understood my reasoning why I don’t want a total hysterectomy. Even so that makes me feel so hesitant as I tend to trust the professional opinion as most people.
If you don’t mind, can I ask you a few more questions? Do you know what kind of cyst/tumor is yours? Did you have a frozen section during the surgery or just the biopsy /pathology after the surgery? Was your surgery a laparoscopy or laparotomy? How long did it take for you to recover?
Yes mainly hot flushes and night sweats, but hurt dealt with that very easily. I kept trying without it, but the flushes and sweats came back, and my dr said, since I had no family history of cancer, I had no higher risk than anyone else.
So for me , it was the right choice.
Hi, my cyst on ct scan was completely different to what was found upon surgery. It was initially described as "nasty and suspicious" and "definitely not a dermoid" It was actually a simple cyst thankfully.
I'm not sure about a frozen section and what it entails. I had a biopsy of the cyst and omenetomy taken but they came back normal.
My surgery was via laparotomy about 10cms, due to size of cyst, suspicious nature and wanting it out in one piece, it actually ruptured during surgery but luckily it was benign so no nasty cells leaked.
I had to have 3 months recovering and I still can't lie on my stomach but I had severe adhesions from previous surgeries so was under the anaesthetic for quite a while to remove them.
X
Hello! Iv had my op date 25th May!😩
thinking of you today! Iv had my op date through 25th May! X
Thinking of you today! Iv had my op date 25th May
Hi, I'm 9 days post op of having an 10.4 cm cyst on my right ovay and both tubes removed, I still have not seen my doctor, but had my stitches removed and I asked if the path report came back. The tech went to talk to the nurse and she said the path report came back clean and fine, but I would need to talk to doctor if I wanted more info. I will see him 2 weeks and ask my questions then. However so far so good.
I do feel really good my only problem is having a hard time sleeping at night. Not sure as to why maybe lack of activity. I'm just starting to sleep on side (either side). I only took 2 pain pills on day of surgery.
My surgery was done laparoscopic. I agree with Fljack.... You know your body. If you feel you don't need a hysterctomy then don't. The day of surgery my doctoer asked me 3 times if I was sure I wanted to keep my uterus and the other ovary and I said yes all 3 times, I'm sure he wasn't happy because for him it was a matter of ease.
Hello! What is surgery like I'm having a 11cm cyst removed and both ovaries on 25 th May. This will be my first time in hospital x 😩