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Worried about large ovarian cyst, possible cancer and operation

Posted , 9 users are following.

Kath_T
Kath_T

Hi Everyone

I am 60 and was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst on Tuesday after a routine scan on my gallbladder.  The cyst is 8.7cm x 5.5cm approx 31/2 inches by 21/2 inches)  I had a CA125 blood test on Thursday afternoon because, although most of the cyst looks to be fluid, there is a solid part to it too (but don't know the result yet).  I am really worried about what is going to happen to me, whether it is cancer or not, but also how the operation will be done with such a big cyst.  Could they still do this with keyhole or will it need to be the bigger operation?

My doctor has referred me to the consultant as urgent to be seen within two weeks, but she is now on holiday until Tuesday so I cannot talk to her..

Has anyone else been in a similar situation (especially at my age)?  How did they do the operation and what did they remove, just the cyst, the ovaries as well, or more?  How long did it take to get over it?

I would be very grateful for any information anyone can give me please?

Best wishes

Kathy

1 like, 220 replies

220 Replies

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  • l95692
    l95692 Kath_T

    Posted

    Hi y'all,

    Just had my laparoscopy this morning and am now resting comfortably at home (keyhole procedures are outpatient here in the US). They took away my ovaries and complex cyst. Doc said the cyst looked okay, but we won't know for sure until pathology results come back next week.

    Kath, it sounds like your doctor told you pretty much what mine told me before the surgery. In my case, the plan was to do a preliminary assessment of the cyst during the laparoscopy, and if everything looked good, they would take out the cyst and organs and close the keyholes. If something looked sinister, they would change to a laparoctomy, or full diagnostic surgery. They would also take out anything that looked suspicious. In the US, this type of procedure requires 3-4 days recovery in the hospital, but I don't how long it does where you live.

    The laparoscopy took one hour, but the anesthesia lasted about 2. They gave me oxytocin post-op, so no pain. They sent me home, I had a light breakfast, and I'm now emailing my friends. (Not bad, huh?) Overall, laparoscopics are really not bad, but as I said before, we need to really rest afterwards. I had a complication after a previous laparoscopy, but only because I was an idiot and back to work too soon. NOT THIS TIME,THOUGH. I'll tell you all about it some other time.

    Okay. Back to rest now. Thanks to all of you my friends, and for your wonderful support. I will be praying for you to get great news, too.

    Lorena

    • Kath_T
      Kath_T l95692

      Posted

      Hi Lorena

      It is so good to hear from you, and wonderful that things went so well. I can't believe you are home already!!  That's great!!

      They told me 24 hour hospital stay for laparoscopy.

      I hope you are resting now.  Please do keep in touch and let me know how you get on.

      I have a CT scan within a week and surgery in 4 to 6 weeks.

      Take care and look after yourself!

      xx Kathy

    • livi45947
      livi45947 l95692

      Posted

      Hi Lorena have you had your pathology results yet?

      Mum had full hysterectomy and appendix removal.  Her cyct was attached to her bowel as well. We have to wait for biopsy results in a few weeks at our post op appointment. Just interested to see how you got on?

  • Kath_T
    Kath_T

    Posted

    Hi everyone. 

    As I had heard nothing about the CT scan, I rang the hospital this morning and they are now doing the scan tomorrow morning at 9.00am!  Although the CA125 was negative, I am still very worried because the consultant said they cannot be sure if it is cancer or not until they operate and do the biopsy.

    Does anyone know how they decide whether or not to do a radical hysterectomy, a full hysterectormy or just fallopin tubes and ovaries? 

    I had a bit of a job understanding the consultant (although I understand he is very good at what he does) and he is a cancer specialist.  Do they send you to a cancer specialist even if it might not be cancer does anyone know?

    Kathy

    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch Kath_T

      Posted

      It could be that he just happens to specialise in cancer but is the gynaecologist to whom you were allocated.

      They cannot really tell what needs doing until they operate and biopsy during it, up to this point they will do as little as possible, after this whatever is necessary.

      As I said earlier it could be that because of your age their protocol is to do a full hysterectomy. Unless the biopsy indicated otherwise a radical hysterectomy would not be indicted and because of possible ongoing problems not performed.

      From what you say it could well only go as far as the ovaries and Fallopian tubes, with the biopsy telling them if more needs doing.

      Big hugs

      Taz xxx

    • Kath_T
      Kath_T Tazchurch

      Posted

      Thanks Tazchurch.  I really appreciate your support and will keep you informed.  I don't know what I would have done without this site and the support I have been given.  I didn't even realise there were two different types of hysterectomy!

      Thanks for the hugs.  I need them.

      Hope you are doing ok now?

      Kathy xx

    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch Kath_T

      Posted

      There are three types of hysterectomy I know about and probably a couple more!

      Not doing too bad thanks but we all have off days and pre-existing health problems have caused a far longer recovery time than normal.

      Hope you get sorted soon and that what I know from experience is a very worryingly time soon ends.

    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch

      Posted

      Meant to send more hugs but blessed thing somehow got posted, so here they are

      Big hugs

      Taz xxx

    • julie2510
      julie2510 Kath_T

      Posted

      Hi Kath i had a 2lb cyst on mt left ovarie and when i went to see the gyni she did ask me if i wanted a full hysterectomy or just my left ovary and cyst removed.So i went for the full hysterectomy.I went to see my gyni on Fri and she told me that my cyst had early stage cancer in it so am glad i went for the full hysterectomy.Now i have to wait for a CT scan and i am so so scared all ive done today is cry
    • Kath_T
      Kath_T julie2510

      Posted

      Hi Julie

      I really feel for you.  Taz has replied to you above.  It seems it is very rare for it to spread.  Do you know when you will get your CT scan?

      Kathy xx

    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch Kath_T

      Posted

      Kathy and Julie national protacol is that you should wait no more than 2 weeks under these circumstances.
  • julie2510
    julie2510 Kath_T

    Posted

    Hi Kath no i dont no yet i am going to phone the hospital tomorrow i phoned them today and they said i was on the list and the radiolgist as to have a look at my notes first.But yeah it is scarey stuff.I havnt stopped crying today.Why is it we ale=ways thnk the worse xx
    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch julie2510

      Posted

      Because we are human beings not just numbers and notes

      Big hugs

      Taz xxx

    • julie2510
      julie2510 Tazchurch

      Posted

      Hi Taz i phoned the hospital up again today and then they phoned me back asking me if i can come in for a CT scan on Friday if so i had to go to the hospital to pick a drink up for me to take for the CT scan.So i was cheeky and said if i come today for the drink can i please have my CT scan tomorrow instead and she said yes.So i went to get the drink and i have my scan tomorrow at 1.30.
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