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Recently diagnosed with 24cm mass in lower abdomen/pelvic area - advise?

Posted , 8 users are following.

justfromerica
justfromerica

Hi everyone,

I went to the doctor this past Thursday for a general check up and to get a perscription for some anxiety medication. When he was feeling my stomach, he said it felt like one of my organs might be enlarged, and booked me an ultrasound the following morning. So on Friday, I had my ultrasound and he determined that I had a 24cm mass in my lower abdomen/pelvic area. He mentioned it being a large cyst on my uterus, but couldn't tell for sure. I went and did a CT scan, and I'm hoping to have the results back this week, I plan to call tomorow morning.

With what I've been reading, it sounds like this is likely a dermatoid ovarian cyst.

I had no pain or discomfort. I noticed my belly had gotten bigger but like most other people, chalked it up to a bit of weight gain in that area. Now that I'm actually feeling it, it's definitely swollen and "hard" not fat.

Obviously 24cm is a large cyst, and it will need to come out. I've never had surgery before, and it took a lot out of me just to get blood taken/injected with dye intervenously for my CT scan, so to say I'm nervous is an understatement. I also assume they can't tell if it's cancerous or not until they send it for a biopsy?

I've also seen people mention to ask for a gylencologic oncologist for a surgeron. I live in the US and have insurance down here but I'm from Canada and I'm wondering if I should just opt to go back to Canada for the surgery. I'm not sure, in regards to cost, what to expect.

I'm 24, and this all seems so surreal. Any advise appreciated.

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  • didi1956
    didi1956 justfromerica

    Posted

    I Had a 37cm bigger than a basket ball cyst removed 2 months ago. I have read an gyno oncologist are the best.I had three surgeons as i had hernias from a previous surgery.I had a plastic surgeon to help with my stomach muscles as they were streched out so bad.I had to have three drains becacause after they removed the huge cyst I had lots of empty spaces that want to fill with liquid.Ask if your doctor uses them too. I mentioned the initials of my insurance company as its probbly one of the biggest here in us and i think that was why I was moded. I just said with mine it was just copays I have to pay.Mine was a serous cystadenoma.It was not cancerous. thank god  They gave me a epidural for pain and it was wonderful didnt feel any pain after that pain pills that i didnt take for long.I had been dieting trying to get rid of my belly with no luck i lost weight just not there. After I got rid of the water weight from surgery I lost 30lbs.my midriff area was completly flat and I have a small tummy now. My family was shocked as I looked pregnant before surgery. Write down any questions for the doctor.I couldnt bend over for two months and couldnt lift more than 5 lbs ask about that too as i dont think they told me that on a pprevious surgery.they have the little tools to pick up things so you dont have to bend over i recommend one of those.Most cyst arent cancerous.So try not to worry I know its hard will pray yours turns out good too . any questions feel free to ask posting this because my last reply was being moderated
    • justfromerica
      justfromerica didi1956

      Posted

      Wow that is a big one!

      I'm sitting here wondering how mine got so big, how long it's been growing for, kicking myself for not noticing sooner.

      I'm hoping to find out some results from the Dr. today if he got the CT scan results back.

  • didi1956
    didi1956 justfromerica

    Posted

    justfromerica I think mine started  2005 had a ultra sound as 1 cm small cyst  my gyno left the practice and this doctor could only see tiny one on right ovary  went to my doctor for bleeding in 2013 he gave me a d and c but his office ultra sound could never see this cyst. went to him again for bleeding last june and he treated  me for hyperplasia then after my 6 month recheck told him was worried about cyst on ovary he did a ca 125  that came back a little elevated 65 sent me to  gyno oncologist  and here I am.
  • justfromerica
    justfromerica

    Posted

    UPDATE: It's a fluid-filled cyst. On my right ovary. 26cm long by 13.5cm wide x 29cm deep. They referred me to a gynecologist who will likely refer me to a suregon unless he is a surgeon himself. Should be getting a call re: an appointment today. They didn't say anything else about it likely being benign or malignant.

    • BeenthereSr
      BeenthereSr justfromerica

      Posted

      I asked my Gynecologist for the specialist referral. My cysts were over 15cm each plus many smaller ones. My ovaries were out of control. Post surgery I was 10 lbs lighter. Bonus!

      Geeze that's huge, you'll be so glad once this is over. You'll feel human again! :-) if youre like me the biggest issue will be fatigue. Other issues should be manageable with medication. Get up as soon as allowed and walk a little more each time and more frequently. That and healthy eating will speed your recovery. Your tummy will probably take sometime to shrink back to normal but walking will help that as well.

      Best to preserve as much ovary as possible. Even post menopause they produce hormones the aid overall health. Cold turkey menopause is no picnic. Symptoms come quickly and are more extreme. Not a gradual transition.

      Best of luck. Trust your instincts. Try to update us on your progress. You're in my prayers.

    • justfromerica
      justfromerica BeenthereSr

      Posted

      Thank you.

      I just called back and told them I wanted to be referred to a gyno oncology division of UAB which is a medical school and hospital and Alabama. It's very well respected and they have a ton of specialists there. It's about an hour away.

    • didi1956
      didi1956 justfromerica

      Posted

      If there is even a hint of cancer your chances are much better with a gyno oncologist Im not trying to scare you but I had to wait 2 months for my surgery and that is what I read.Its probably not but better to be safe if its possible.Fluid filled is a good sign.
    • didi1956
      didi1956

      Posted

      You beat me buy 1min im so glad you will be in good hands keep us updated
    • justfromerica
      justfromerica didi1956

      Posted

      I agree. They wanted to refer me to someone in my town but I'd rather drive a little farther and get the best medical care in the state than chance it with someone around here. If they don't call me to set up an appointment by tomorrow, I will call them to make sure they had the referral.

      Does surgery really feel like you close your eyes and then open them a few seconds later? I'm terrifed of going under.

    • didi1956
      didi1956 justfromerica

      Posted

      Yes it does lol  My drive is about the same I dont go to doctors in my town either
    • didi1956
      didi1956

      Posted

      I have been put under five times there is nothing to it really.
    • justfromerica
      justfromerica didi1956

      Posted

      Good to know.

      You mentioned fluid-filled was a good sign.

      Is there a reason why? Are smaller, harder cysts more likely to be cancerous?

    • didi1956
      didi1956 justfromerica

      Posted

      Im not sure about size but yes that was what they said mine was speptated with mural nodules  meaning hard parts so I was pretty worried it was cancer
    • justfromerica
      justfromerica didi1956

      Posted

      Oh okay gotcha. How long before you got your referral appointment set up?

      I almost want to call right now and asked if they've set me up with an appointment yet but I know it's only been a few hours since they got the results.

    • didi1956
      didi1956 justfromerica

      Posted

      I think mine was a couple days we have a shortage here in michigan for gyno oncologists.. She saw me pretty quick gave me a colposcopy and took biopsys of my uterus and sent me for a ultra sound and a C T scan. Then i had to wait 6 weeks for surgery. After talking to the nurse for pre op sounded like the doc was pretty sure it wasnt cancer or we wouldnt have waited .
    • justfromerica
      justfromerica didi1956

      Posted

      I ended up calling to see if they had sent it yet and ended up with the referral nurse's voicemail so hopefully they get back to me by tomorrow.

      Since I already had an ultrasound and CT scan and bloodwork and urine test will they send that stuff with the referral? Or do I need to bring it with me to the appointment?

    • justfromerica
      justfromerica didi1956

      Posted

      I ended up calling to see if they had sent it yet and ended up with the referral nurse's voicemail so hopefully they get back to me by tomorrow.

      Since I already had an ultrasound and CT scan and bloodwork and urine test will they send that stuff with the referral? Or do I need to bring it with me to the appointment?

    • didi1956
      didi1956 justfromerica

      Posted

      My gyno sent mine but he also set up the referral ask them when they call if the want you to bring it.
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