Removing ovaries to be safe - good idea????

Dear All

A while ago I posted asking if US could DX ovca at early stage, and got SO MANY wonderful replies, for which I was extremely grateful.

I've now gone on to have some investigative work done, and a detailed TVS has shown that I have a cyst on my right ovary which is not functional, but is almost 50:50 either benign or borderline.

There doesn't seem to be any invasion of the ovary tissue from the cyst, and it is poorly vascularised, both of which I believe are optimistic signs. I read (on an Internet search) that around 7% of borderline cysts progress to becoming malignant.

However, because my husband has Stage IV kidney cancer and 'staying alive' is, right now, our main concern (!!!!), I am thinking of simply having a double oophrenectomy (sp?!) (I'm 55, and my bloods show I'm now perimenopausal, so my ovaries are due for retirement anyway!), and being done with it (I hope....!) 

 I'm not clear whether suregery would include the fallopian tubes as well. Everything else in my pelvis is showing OK, so far as I understand. (Plus, no family history of ovca etc)

Has anyone else been in a similar situation, and what was your decision, and your experience? 

My husband is worried at the thought of me having surgery (he had his kidney out this year, so knows abdominal surgery isn't a walk in the park!), though the TVS gynae says it could be done with keyhole.

However, I also wonder whether it's best NOT to do keyhole, as is there not a risk that the ovary will rupture during removal, and then, if there IS any malignancy (or even proto-malignancy) in the cyst, that may get loose into my body and nest somewhere else!

All information on this will be MOST gratefully received.

I am very glad I did go ahead and get all this further checked out. I know US has its limitations, but even so, I think it's paid off this time by spotting 'something'.

All the very, very best to all of you fighting ovca, and I hope, hope you win your battles.

Julie. 

Hi Julie,

My heart goes out to you, you have to be strong during this.  My mother had ovarian cancer lived for many years and just lost her 5 years ago.  I actually had everything taken out because I was so young and such a high risk for ovarian cancer.  But try and be strong which I know is so hard.  My other when she died developed another termor a size of a orange, it has been hard for me she died during the holidays and I am the only child so I can't tell you the pain I feel when I think of her.  Try to remember all the good memories that will keep you grounded.  I will say a pray for you and yours.  Please feel free to write back any time.

Theresa from WI

Thank you for replies, and for the warning about the cancer 'nesting' elsewhere - as ever, one can never be 100% 'safe' from cancer, and eternal vigilence has to be our watchword. I know docs love - not unnaturally - to tell us that we are 'cured', but we cannot trust that it's 'all over' and must always keep checking at safe, regular intervals.

So, I shall feel safer (I hope!) once the hysterectomy and ovarectomy is over, but not totally safe! Thank you for that knowledge - it might save my life one day.

All the best to all fighting this nightmare disease - Julie

Hi Julie.  I might have missed something...but are you at a high risk for developing OC?  Just make sure you do your homework.  Removing your ovaries effects your heart, your bones and your sex drive...I had my ovaries removed, it was the right decision for me due to my risk profile, but i really do hate the reprucussions of it all.  But I m sure it is saving my life - Like I said though - just do your homework first.  Good luck to you!!

Robbie

Robbie - thank you for the warning. I don't know about being at high risk, but I have got a 'risk level' because the cyst is officially borderline, which CAN turn cancerous (I read somewhere the chance is 7%) (my CA125 is normal, though, which is reassuring, though I appreciate the test isn't foolproof!).

I apprciate that a hysterectomy etc does affect the rest of you, but to me, if it doesn't kill you like cancer can, I don't mind!!! I completely agree about the homework - it's essential we all acquaint ourselves with our risks, because, like it or not, the only person who cares if you live or die is yourself and those who love you - doctors, in the end, don't actually care. There are always plenty more patients where we come from! And at some point they wash their hands of you, or, else, more charitably, they reach a point where they reallky can do nothing else for you.

Thank you all again for all your input! Julie

On 12/31/2008 JulieUK wrote:

Robbie - thank you for the warning. I don't know about being at high risk, but I have got a 'risk level' because the cyst is officially borderline, which CAN turn cancerous (I read somewhere the chance is 7%) (my CA125 is normal, though, which is reassuring, though I appreciate the test isn't foolproof!).

I apprciate that a hysterectomy etc does affect the rest of you, but to me, if it doesn't kill you like cancer can, I don't mind!!! I completely agree about the homework - it's essential we all acquaint ourselves with our risks, because, like it or not, the only person who cares if you live or die is yourself and those who love you - doctors, in the end, don't actually care. There are always plenty more patients where we come from! And at some point they wash their hands of you, or, else, more charitably, they reach a point where they reallky can do nothing else for you.

Thank you all again for all your input! Julie

Hi Julie!  Should I/Shouldn't I - drives you crazy, doesn't it? I think in the end you have to go with your 'gut' feeling, whatever that ends up being. 

Most women think that altho they have had a hysterectomy, they won't get cancer there. They still can, so please include that in your research. Take a look online at 'Primary Peritoneal Cancer' - that's what I have.

Blessings to you,

LindaMae