Large Adnexal Cyst found by CT scan

It's hard not to freak out especially when it's something to do with our body. I've never been thru this before we so I feel like I'm stepping into the unknown. I didn't have a choice about surgery. He immediately told me I have no other option but surgery. Not sure why he chose the abdominal partial hysterectomy verses the laparoscopic way. I've had 3 cesarean births so I already know the pain I will be feeling and the recovery time of being cut open down there so not looking forward to that. I do hope you get a surgery date soon & get yours taken care of quickly so your mind can be at ease. My surgery is in 2 weeks on the 28th & each day that passes & that date gets closer, the more scared & nervous I get because I still fear the unknown...not knowing the worse until he opens me up. Looks like you are having to do the same...fear the unknown and that's scary for us so I know exactly how you feel. Had my tumor just been cystic it wouldn't be so bad but because it's complex and solid and growing is not good according to my Dr. But I can surely keep you updated on what I find out when I wake up from surgery and I will keep you in my prayers as well 😊❤️🤗

I had a large ovarian cyst (18-20) cm removed, as well as a smaller one, both of which were benign. But the gyn oncologist and my gyn recommended removal, and a complete hysterectomy. I had prenatal DES (diethylstilbestrol) exposure, and a very slightly elevated CA-125 test. I was about 52. While your cyst is not likely to be malignant (that's what my radiologist said), my onc said there was a 20% chance of malignancy in part because of its large size and shape. Mine was increasing in size, so that's different from your situation. But perhaps yours could, and since you only monitor it at certain intervals, you might miss an increase. It would be better to remove it before it gets larger. And given your breast cancer history, I think I would seriously consider your docs' advice, especially since all of them concur.
If it is malignant (unlikely), it would be better to get it out sooner than later if it increases in size, when there might be complications.

Hi! I was wondering how was your recovery after you removed that large cyst which was thankfully benign? I heard that in two weeks I should be able to be back to normal activities since it’s laparoscopic surgery. I would like to hear more about your recovery after surgery. Thanks.

Hi, I had to have a total hysterectomy, partly because of my age/menopausal status (age 52), prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure, and a slightly elevated CA-125 score. I had surgery and was out of the hospital in 2 days, which the surgeon said was a remarkable recovery. I didn't have any trouble with anesthesia. I wasn't supposed to drive for 6 weeks but I used maybe only 1/3 of pain killers. I went back to work virtually after 2 weeks, but felt very alert from the beginning.
So you will have a much easier surgery and recovery; sorry I can't be more helpful about a laparoscopy, but I'm sure it will go well. Surgical techniques keep making advances.

Well, you won't have that problem with driving. I had a really long incision, due to the size of the cysts. Your laparoscopic surgery won't have that issue. No problem with peeing. I had to have staples removed, which you won't need. Don't remember when I got the pathology report. This was back in 2005, when you didn't get as complete info as now. Now you get pathology reports on patient portals and you get much more info. I imagine you would get the path report about the same time frame as you got your breast cancer report in 2019. I think there's a new law that requires that results be posted sooner than before.

Are you being seen at Mayo or a major university teaching hospital? If so, I would go with your doctors' advice. You could ask if you have time to get a second opinion, in any case. But given consensus by all your docs, I don't think you may need that.
If you had breast cancer surgery previously, I think you have a good handle on surgery (and that probably wasn't done laparoscopically). Is this outpatient surgery? or overnight stay?
One of my cysts was so large it was probably pressing on my bladder.
Given a breast cancer history (have you had genetic testing done?), I think I would have the surgery. If you don't, and the cyst(s) increase in size, maybe you couldn't have laparoscopic surgery at that point. Or if it turned out to turn malignant, you could need additional therapy then.
If it is malignant now (which seems unlikely, given the consensus of your doctors), then you would want to treat asap.
Your having had chemo and radiation in the past, I think this surgery is less of a burden than what you've had to experience for a different problem.
My cousin who's a medical oncologist says surgery often "cures" malignancies, more than other therapies.
I'd say go for it, but that isn't medical advice.
Does the radiologist agree with the surgeons?
If you can put this in the rear view mirror two weeks after the surgery, that would be great. So try to factor that peace of mind in to your decision, as opposed to future scans and worry.
Hope that helps.

@candybeason45, I see you also started this discussion and are getting support from fellow members:
- Endometriomas https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/endometriomas/

It is natural to be scared, but you and your doctors will want to investigate to find out exactly what the mass is. While you don't want it to be cancer, I believe you want to know so that you can treat as early IF it is cancer. Solid does not necessarily mean it is cancer.

"If the cyst has solid components, it may be benign or malignant and should have further evaluation." Read more here:
- Tumor vs. cyst: What's the difference? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/expert-answers/tumor/faq-20057829

@eigna32, how are you doing? Did you decide to go ahead with getting the cyst removed?

Have you heard any news from candybeason45? I was wondering how did her surgery go? It was on February 28.