WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for July, 1999: Re: Age 52 - Is Hysterectomy recommended for multi-chambered ovarian cyst

Re: Age 52 - Is Hysterectomy recommended for multi-chambered ovarian cyst

From: Betty Rommel, MD, PhD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 9 Jul 1999 13:17:04 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Kathy: "Age 52 - Is Hysterectomy recommended for multi-chambered ovarian cyst"

At Thu, 8 Jul 1999, Kathy wrote: >
>I am 52 years old and about two years past menopause. I am on HRT and
>have been for two years. I began bleeding and went to see my doctor.
>She performed an ultrasound and found a small multi-chambered cyst on my
>left ovary. A CA-125 was done and the level was below normal. She has
>recommended that I have both ovaries and my uterus removed as soon as
>possible. She feels that both ovaries should be removed because there
>is a good chance that another cyst will form on the right one in the
>next few years. The hysterectomy seems radical, but I am concerned that
>ovarian cancer is so difficult to catch in time that it would be okay to
>remove both ovaries if I have a tendency toward cysts. Any thoughts?

Kathy,

You went to the gyn because of bleeding. Bleeding in the menopause usually comes from the uterus and you must therefore have the lining of the uterus checked by curettage or biopsy before making any decision that involves keeping the uterus.

As for the ovarian cyst, the CA-125 frequently is negative even when ovarian cancer is present - it's far from being an accurate or perfect test. You cannot predict which ovary if any will produce cysts in the future. Removing the ovaries may buy you peace of mind. The easiest way to evaluate and remove ovaries is by laparoscopy. Hysterectomy is not necessary if your goal is merely to remove both ovaries. Nonetheless, removing the ovaries does not reduce the risk of ovarian cancer to zero. Rarely, cancer may develop from the peritoneum - the inner lining of the abdominal cavity - and produce ovarian-type cancer.

--
Betty Rommel, MD, PhD

Next message: Betty Rommel, MD, PhD: "Re: Bleeding after D & C"
Previous message: Robin: "Rectal bleeding only during menses"
In reply to: Kathy: "Age 52 - Is Hysterectomy recommended for multi-chambered ovarian cyst"

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