WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for May, 1997: Re: laparoscopy

Re: laparoscopy

From: Kathy (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 14 May 1997 20:38:53 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Kelly: "Re: laparoscopy"

At Wed, 14 May 1997, Kelly wrote: >
>At Tue, 13 May 1997, Kathy wrote:
>>
>>I am 45 and had a hysterectomy last year due to fibroid tumors. I have
>>a history of breast cancer in my family so I requested to keep my
>>ovaries. I was able to keep my right ovary, but needed estrogen anyway.
>>My bladder has fallen and I have scheduled surgery (laparoscopy). I was
>>stricken with severe pain in my left side recently and saw my family
>>doctor. He thought that it was an irritated bowel but the pain
>>persisted for days. My blood tests were normal. He sent me for a CAT
>>scan where they discovered a mass, about 3cm, on my ovary. I was sent
>>to my OBGYN. He thinks it is viral and says that he will check in 3
>>weeks during surgery. Is it safe to remove a cancerous tumor during
>>laparoscopic surgery? If it is cancer is it safe to cut it into pieces
>>in order to remove it from a small opening or will it spread? Should I
>>request the surgery be done the old way with a larger incision? My
>>stomach is enlarged more than usual and I have been very tired.
>
>It's important to know whether the 3cm mass is solid or cystic, simple
>or complex. Did either of your doctors do a blood test called a CA-125?
>
>If on CT scan or ultrasound, the mass *appears* benign, and your CA-125
>is normal, a laparoscopy is reasonable. There are ways of removing
>ovaries without spilling the contents into the abdominal cavity
>(basically dunking the ovary into a baggie). You should ask your doctor
>about doing a frozen section while you are in the OR (the pathologist
>freezes the tissue and looks at it under the microscope right away to
>see if it's most likely benign or malignant). You should discuss what
>would be done if cancer was found -- would you be opened up for full
>cancer staging right then, or referred elsewhere for further workup.
>
>If you are uncomfortable with what your doctor is telling you, please
>get a second opinion.
>
>Thank you for your response. I have a copy of the radiology report. I was mistaken about the size, it measures 5.5 x 4.3 cm. It demonstrates a fluid density. Given its location an ovarian etiology is most likely. Ovarian cyst,simple or complex versus tumor would be primary considerations. An ultrasound examination of this region may be used to further characterize this lesion. My family doctor seems concerned, my obgyn is not. My obgyn thinks it is viral and feels no further testing is required. If he cuts it up to remove it and it is cancerous, could it spread? I will ask about a CA-125
>--
>

Next message: Karrie: "Re: THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!!!!"
Previous message: Elizabeth: "Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser Syndrome/absent uterus/vagina"
In reply to: Kelly: "Re: laparoscopy"

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