Difficult decision- remove just cyst or ovary as well?

Posted , 9 users are following.

I am scheduled to have a laparoscopic procedure next week to remove an 8cm dermoid cyst from my right ovary. My doctor explained that the cyst will likely rupture during the process and that debris could be left behind, resulting in chronic pain and inflammation. A cleaner procedure which would decrease that risk would involve removing the cyst along w the ovary (and tube). My doctor has left it up to me to decide which route to take. I am having a hard time deciding what would be best. Any advice from personal experience?

Thanks in advance!

2 likes, 21 replies

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  • Posted

    How old are you?

    If you are 45+, I think it is ok to consider removing the ovary as well since u r near menopause age anyway. However, like me I am experiencing hot flashes now although I have been told it will resume normal sooner or later because I still have one ovary left. Yet the hormonal swing is not enjoyable.

    So my advice is, if u r less than 45, definitely try to keep both ovaries.

    • Posted

      Thanks so much for your response and I'm so sorry you're experiencing discomfort. I am 34 and have two young children (2yr old and 7mo old). I would love to avoid mood shifts and night sweats/hot flashes. The only thing that makes me pause is the idea of cyst contents remaining in my abdomen, causing chronic pain/inflammation. I wonder how often that happens and what the experience is like.

  • Posted

    Hi Jen,

    I have recently had both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed down to a dermoid cyst and had the full cut as my surgeon said he didn't like the idea of keyhole with a dermoid cyst rupturing and it getting in to the abdomen. I am 54 so really in no longer need for my ovaries, so too me was to listen to his advise. Hot flashes will eventually go away where the chronic pain won't probably. I agree with the other 2 ladies age will play a part in your decision as if you want children obviously keeping your tubes and ovaries is essential.

    I hope that you come to the right decision for you, best of luck,

    Sharon x

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for your response Sharon. I hope that your recovery is going smoothly 

       

  • Posted

    I had a similarly sized dermoid cyst removed a few years ago, along with the ovary and fallopian tube.  I was 54 at the time.  You will still have one ovary, if you have this one removed, and that will still be producing hormones for you.
    • Posted

      Thanks for your response Janie. If you don't mind me asking- how did your recovery go? Did you experience hotflashes/night sweats as your body adjusted to having one ovary? 

    • Posted

      Hi Jen

      I was already experiencing the menopause and was on HRT, so didn't notice any real difference.  I felt very low for a few days after the operation, and it took my body about 3 weeks to recover well enough to walk around/ lift things again, but that was about it. Thank heavens for HRT!

  • Posted

    Hi, I was offered a hysterectomy due to a 9 cm ovarian cyst but refused as only 43, I know that might sound alien to some but I really didnt want to be put through a surgical menopause. I have finished having babies but my theory was if its not broke then dont try and fix it! Surgeon then offered tube and ovary removal leaving me with one but said he could only do it via laparotomy due to size and suspicious nature. I went for a check up with the Dr some weeks later and found out that the cyst had ruptured during surgery! Putting that aside I have had no ill effects from the rupture at all the only thing that has been noticeable is my mood, i have been very low at times and very much bitten the hand that feeds me, but if you make your nearest and dearest aware that this may happen then you'll ride through it.

    I have what i can only describe as spasms from the side my ovary was removed but haven't had to take pain relief for it. I dont have periods due to a coil so not sure if my other ovary has taken over duties yet! There have been no hot flushed so i can only assume normal service has been resumed! There have been times when my husband has commented on how cold hes been and I haven't but it may just be a coincidence.

    If you have had a history of ovarian cysts then it's probably best to remove said ovary and tube but as your 34 then you need to factor this into the equation, you don't know if one ovary works better than the other so going on to have another pregnancy may take longer. I've just had my 2nd cyst removal, so my first surgery was done with the idea of opening me up and trying to preserve my ovary which the surgeon thankfully did. I was your age then but again had no plans for a baby.

    Its about your choice, don't be pushed into unnecessary surgery but weigh up all the options, sometimes the surgeon won't know what they're dealing with until they get in so maybe you both come to some agreement ie leave ovary if the cyst can be removed without spoiling ovarian tissue. Sometimes you'll get a returning cyst from previous surgery site. I did; but what looked like an ovarian cyst on ultrasound and ct scan actually turned out to be a cyst on my tube once they opened me up.

    Also another factor to consider is scar tissue, its very rarely mentioned anywhere but the more pelvic surgery you go through the more scar tissue is likely to form so keeping surgery down to the minimum is key. Most of my post op pain has been from removal of previous scar tissue. Had i have known beforehand i may have opted for a hysterectomy in case i end up with another cyst. (Ive had 3 removed each time ive had surgery, always 1 biggie and 2 smaller ones on the other ovary)

    The trick is to schedule a long chat with your surgeon, dont be fobbed off by a 5 minute appointment, write your pros and cons down, for-warned is for-armed.

    Hope this helps, everyone's different so there is no right or wrong, surgery on any reproductive organ is not one to be taken lightly as there are always fors and againsts in a young woman. Good luck 🌈

    • Posted

      May I know after u hv had your ovary and tube removed, how long after your surgery did you get your first period back?

      I had removed one ovary in Jan and now is almost end March, still no signs of my period, so is a bit anxious. Thanks!

    • Posted

      Hi I don't have periods as I have a coil fitted so difficult to comment really. I could always feel discomfort on the side I was ovulating on and I always want to eat loads of chocolate and end up biting my nails during ovulation (weird I know) and that has happened just recently so I guess things are working? But maybe just post recovery hormones? Looks like we had surgery at similar time.

    • Posted

      Thanks for reply.

      I probably will wait till April and if still no sign will call up my Surgeon to ask whether to get a blood test. Just not sure if that blood test will be costly!

    • Posted

      Hello Fljack and all,

      I too have beening thinking about this.  I had a surpise cyst removed during gallbladder surgery when I was 19 and I'm 54 with another cyst on the same ovary.  I have had it for about 12 years now and am ready to get it out as I have pressure when I bend.

      I'm seeing a general surgeon on Wed to discusse a removal of a lipoma.  I'm going to ask him about the removal of my 8cm cyst on my right ovary and see if he will remove cyst/ and/or tube I'm just not sure as to what to do .  All of you have given great responses to a good question.

      My gyn wants to do a full hysterecomy, however, nothing else is broken and he seems eger to do all.  

       

    • Posted

      Thanks so much for your response Fljack. There are oh so many factors to consider with this. It has been a challenging blessing being able to have a choice in the matter. I am sorry you have had to go through this several times now. Women are so strong! Scar tissue is a concern of mine as well as my last child was born via a cesarean birth in August (I feel like I am just starting to heal physically and emotionally from that). I am also hoping for no ill effects on my milk supply as he is exclusively breast fed at this point. I emailed my surgeon today to have another chat about the options. 

      Thank you for sharing and for the support

  • Posted

    Hi,

    i had both cyst and ovary removed last April due to the cyst being wrapped round the ovary. He said that there were lots of adhesions to be cut through due to previous hysterectomy, and it was impossible to save the ovary, it's not a hard surgery to recover from.

    • Posted

      Can I ask you how was recovery and how long did it take for you to get back to yourself?   
    • Posted

      May I ask how long you get your first period after surgery?
    • Posted

      Recovery from that was minimal, but I had a prolapse repair done at the same time, which is major surgery, that sort of overshadowed the ovary removal, I just elected to have the cyst removed while I was under anaesthetic.

      That was really no problem, a bit achey that's all.

    • Posted

      I had a hysterectomy a few years ago seewong, so not applicable.

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