cystic teratoma

dmp27 · 02-07-2007, 11:16 PM

Has anyone been diagnosed with this type of tumor?

kzig · 02-08-2007, 05:31 AM

Hi!

I've had a cystic teratoma when I was 19 and then again when I was 35.
From what I understand, it is not related to PCOS.

Do you have one?

Danusmom · 02-08-2007, 04:20 PM

cystic teratoma is also called dermoid tumor/cyst. And, yes, I've been diagnosised with one & have had 2 ultra sounds last year to keep an eye on it. I'm also having another US done in ~2 weeks. Everything I've read about them states they should be removed to prevent torsion (twisting) which can cause more severe problems with the ovary(ies). However, my Endo doesn't want to do surgery unless there is significant growth. My concern with this approach is allowing the dermoid to grow to the point of an emergency situation as was done with my gall bladder. My Endo seems very empathetic to my concerns. We'll see what this next US turns up.

Have you been diagnosised with a dermoid/cystic teratoma? If so, what approach has your doctor taken in your situation? kZig, did you have yours removed?

dmp27 · 02-09-2007, 12:13 AM

Yes, I have a cystic teratoma in my right ovary. Every once in a blue moon, I will have sharp pain. Unfortunately, I am in a financial bind since I just finished school. The last endo that I saw said it's nothing to really worry about (since it wasn't cancerous) and that I should go see a gyno about it. I haven't been able to see a gyno about it yet for financial reasons.

kzig · 02-09-2007, 10:27 AM

Danusmom, yes I had them both removed.

It was an emergency with the first one--I did have torsion--such horrible pain--I didn't know what was going on. I don't remember the dimensions of it except that it was very large, per the doc. Thankfullly, they were able to save my ovary.

Second surgery was planned--it was also the opposite ovary. I remember it being 5.8 cm on the ultrasound. I remember asking, do I HAVE to get it out and was told yes, absolutely.
I'm so sorry you have this!

dmp27, I'm sorry you are having to go through this too. It sucks!

BTW, my with my first surgery, I had a big horizontal incision and was in the hospital for probably 5-6 days. By the time I had my second surgery, I had what they call a "mini-lap) (laparotomy) and it was just overnight stay.

dmp27 · 02-09-2007, 09:13 PM

So, essentially, they can save the ovary in certain situations?

I don't remember the size of mine. The endo was concerned so, it's not something small.

kzig · 02-10-2007, 10:45 AM

Yes, they should be able to remove it and leave your ovary functional.
Do you not have insurance right now?

dmp27 · 02-11-2007, 12:16 AM

yeah, I have health insurance... just not a whole lot of money saved up yet.

Danusmom · 02-11-2007, 09:40 PM

kZig, sounds like they wanted to take #2 dermoid because of your history. So glad it was on a more elective schedule than an emergency. It's the "emergency" situation I want to avoid. I have an US scheduled this Thursday --had to reschedule it from earlier this month because DS was home sick. I pray it hasn't grown or begun any torsion.

dmp27, doesn't your insurance cover gyno visits? It should at least cover the annual well visit. Please don't put your health off because of $$$ constraints. Many doctor's offices will work out a payment plan with you. No sense in putting your health in jeopardy with worrying.

kzig · 02-11-2007, 10:25 PM

Danusmom, believe me, you will know right away if you develop a torsion!!! It's the kind of thing that happens pretty fast, I think. OW! I'll be praying for you that yours is unchanged or, better yet, smaller!

dmp27, I agree with Danusmom, get to the doc if you can. I don't know how your insurance works, but I know that hospitals will take payments of like, $20 a month or whatever you can pay for as long as it takes to pay off the balance and they can't charge you interest.

alanaism · 02-16-2007, 11:35 PM

dmp27 and danusmom - I was first diagnosed with a dermoid cyst on R ovary when I was 15...it was pretty big (more than 6.5cm I think) and had to be removed straight away. I was told that my R ovary was still functional after the removal, but have had a C-section like scar on my lower abdomen since. Essentially, because its a dermoid and not cancerous, doctors will tend to wait and see if it grows before removal. Don't worry, it is unlikely that there'll be a growth explosion or anything like that...I say this because since op #1, I've had 2 more to remove dermoids, and #4 scheduled for Jan next year. That's 4 ops in 7 years, bleegh

My ovaries are still SUPPOSED to be functional, but I won't really know till I try to have kids...I'm 24 now

kzig - did your doctor explain to you why your 2nd cysts recurred and if there was any way to prevent further recurrence? I'm frustrated that I've had to have so many surgeries and am looking for others who might have had similar experiences.

Thank you all for the interesting discussion.

kzig · 02-17-2007, 09:48 AM

Alanaism, I asked my doctor the same thing---how do I keep them from coming back?? He said that these types of cysts are congenital--we are born with them-so there is nothing we can do. I guess the cells are already there and they just start multiplying. It's so strange and grosss to me that they are made of hair and fingernails and bone.

Gosh, I can't believe you've had 4!! Bless your heart! I'm so sorry you have to undergo yet another surgery. It's always a fear in the back of my mind that I'll develop another one.