woman related question for some advice....

Thanks HALAB.

He is going to take one ovary out since it can't be saved with grapefruit size cyst or mass on that side (removed cyst before 23 years ago not much probably left). He also will take out both Fallopian tubes as studies are now showing ovarian cancer begins there and lower chance if out. Even though no family history . I will keep one Ovary, uterus and cervix. That is my concern of removing those organs and having bladder problems with all the room with uterus gone. I suffer from urinary frequentcy for years and just started Detrol last month before cyst was found. It has gotten much worse the last few months. It will be Interesting to see what happens when cyst is removed if that was my real problem or is it overactive bladder like they thought.

It is a difficult choice. When I was 40, in 1997 I was diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma. At that time the treatment was surgical removal of uterus,ovaries, tubes and cervix. I was told then due to the cancer being an estrogen fed cancer all had to be removed and I was not a candidate to take estrogen replacement. I had the surgery and went through surgical menopause.

That was not easy for me at such a young age. Hot flashes and for 1 year I had brain fogginess. Maybe from the stress of surgery and partially due to the change in hormone. I do remember saying "If I have cancer ,get it all out. I don't want to have surgery again."

That was my reaction. It has been 21 years so I have been deemed cured. Go with what your gut tells you. Try to get as many professional opinions as you can to help with your choice. I myself am a RN who works in a hospital setting and have seen that ovarian cancer can remain hidden as there often are no symptoms in the early stages. For me having everything removed was some level of reassurance that the cancer may not return. I wish you good luck and positive thoughts that it is not as serious as it could be.

Thank you. Good advice. It sounds like you have had a great outcome after a hard road.

If he gets in there and detects Cancer I signed to have all removed.

thanks again for all.

Hi!

I also had uterine cancer at 55...post menopausal. Everything was removed: ovaries, uterus, cervix & lymph nodes. I had no family history.

My gyn-onc informed me there had been a significant increase in uterine cancer due to obesity. Some...as the poster above mentioned certain kinds of uterine cancer are estrogen fed.

I am lucky...5+ years out. However, after going thru cancer and all that goes with it I would do everything in my power to avoid it. I had my WLS after it bc it was such a wake up call!

I'd make a pro & cons list and discuss it with my doctor(s). I fortunately had an easy menopause, and even if I hadn't it would have been preferable to a cancer diagnosis.

Just my opinion!

Good luck!

At 47 I had huge fibroids that demanded a hysterectomy. So we removed uterus, cervix, tubes but left my ovaries.

My mother died of ovarian cancer at 67 years of age. I was totally freaked out about leaving the ovaries intact. In fact, my gynecologist and I had some VERY serious discussions about it. At the end of the day we agreed that she would have a really good look at the ovaries and if she saw anything suspect she promised to remove them.

As it turned out they were healthy so they were left. I go for an internal (ultrasound) every year to keep an eye on them. 10 years later all good.

My gynecologist wanted to leave my ovaries because I had more evidence of heart disease in my family than cancer so she contended I needed the estrogen to protect my heart.

I think if I was in your shoes, I'd leave the good ovary if it was actually GOOD. The rest, get rid of it if it's a option. Menopause, one way or the other, is going to happen anyway. Even with my ovaries I went into menapause a year later. Hot flashes galore.

As for the CA 125, the jury is still kind a out on this test. Lots of false positives. They used it for my mother once they knew she, in fact, did have ovarian cancer to track the cancer ongoing.

At the end of the day, you need to be happy with the decision you make. What we would do, is of no consequence.

Good Luck and I hope it all works out well for you. Keep us posted.

Sorry about your Mom. Glad you are checking every year. That is good.

I go back and forth and probably will a million times before October 10 but I think I will stay with plan I have in writing with the surgeon. He tells me I can change morning if should I decide to.

I want to insist on yearly ultrasound too! I don't have family history so not sure I would get my gyn to do it. I will be glad when I am done with this. The specialist I was referred to is an oncologist gyn says they are getting closer for screening ovarian cancer... hopefully soon.

i was scared when he told me CA125 is only 50 percent accurate at showing Ovarian Cancer. So having a low number of 12 doesn't mean that much. He said he thinks I will be ok...

Sorry for what you are going through. Having watched several friends die of ovarian cancer and of uterine cancer, I would say to get rid of both ovaries and the uterus. I had everything removed at 43 years of age. I used a natural progesterone cream. As long as you are not planning to have more babies, I say remove the baby carriage and keep the playpen.

Lol about keeping the play pen!

Pros and cons to both unfortunately.

I have had a similar experience (((())) so scary (((())))). I found a growth in my right breast in my mid twenties .. ( lumpectomy chemotherapy a little radiation) found out I had the BRCA gene . Ever since docs have been telling to burn out or scoop out my ladypartz .. which grossed me out and feels very wrong. I do take Tamoxifen every day ( 20 milligrams ) to keep estrogen down ... sweat out the residues regularly so far so good

Thanks. Yes scary.