Dermoid cyst « Back to Group Discussions

[ainh]

I went in for my eight week ultrasound and I'm freaked out!  The baby is measuring fine...a few days bigger than expected with a heartrate of 168.  BUT...I have a fairly large dermoid cyst on my left ovary (5cm).  I've never felt any pain there, which she was surprised to hear.  But then she poked at it (which I really don't think was smart!!) and now it's been hurting off and on.  She insisted that these solid cysts don't burst, but of course the internet has other things to say.  I feel torn.  I want this thing out of me.  Dermoid cysts are really gross -- collections of hair and grown teeth and all sorts of disturbing stuff.  And I'm concerned because now it hurts and there is a chance they'll want to remove it during pregnancy (scared of all the toxicity of drugs they'd give me on the baby more than anything).  And, of course, I'm scared that I'm one of the 2% where it's cancerous.  It is fast growing, as it wasn't there in my last pregnancy -- three years ago.  Ack.... 

[eleuthia]

I'm sorry you got that kind of news when you just want to hear about your healthy baby! Are they going to monitor it with ultrasound to see how fast it's growing? Hopefully it'll remain stable throughout the pregnancy. I have a 5cm cyst on one ovary (and a smaller one on the other) and because it may be the corpus luteum I'm worried about it bursting, especially when it's still needed. They saw it at 6wk and will follow up at 12wk. I'm not sure what they'll do if it's still enlarged. 

Edited by eleuthia - 12/23/11 at 4:23pm

[ainh]

Yes, they said they would take a look at it at 12 weeks and if it needs to be removed it would happen in the 2nd trimester.  I just wish she hadn't poked at it so hard b/c now I feel like it's been riled and is more likely to burst or have torsion.  Good luck with yours too!

[IntuitiveJamie]

I'm really sorry to hear about this. My best friend was just diagnosed with this as well and is having to consider surgery. She is not pregnant however. I've been waiting for her to make her decision. I am curious about what they told you as far as it not bursting. My bff's OB feels the opposite that it should be taken care of sooner rather than later to prevent bursting and/or torquing. I only say this b/c maybe you should get a second opinion?

My bff is wanting to heal naturally, so she's considering things like acupuncture, dietary changes, emotional healing etc. May be you can consider some of these things to help prevent it from getting worse while following your OB's orders.

Please keep us posted.

[Sol_y_Paz]

So glad baby is looking good as well as the heart beat.  I am sorry about the news about the cyst ainh.  I wish she wouldn't have poked at it!   How are you feeling today?  How are things going?  Maybe you should get a second opinion on it?  

I also learned I have a cyst on one side but no one seemed concerned at all, I think it is called a corpus luteum.  Since they weren't concerned and acted like everyone who is pregnant has them, I wasn't concerned either.  

[ainh]

Thanks for checking in.  I probably should get a second opinion.  And I'm definitely going to be clear that I don't want them poking at it any more...although I think that they naturally will with the ultrasound follow-up appointment I have.  Ugh.  It still hurts off and on and I am starting to think about all the consequences more.  Surgery during pregnancy is obviously scary.  But I don't want it in there on the small (2%) chance that it's cancerous.  And I don't want to have surgery just *after* having a baby either -- that would disrupt breastfeeding and such.  Plus, I took a job in the spring and now I feel like I need to tell them that there's a chance I'll be out for a few weeks.  Lots more to consider now that I think about it all.  Ugh.

[IntuitiveJamie]

I'm still thinking so much about you.

My bff was talking about the same thing about being pregnant and having to have surgery, or have it disrupt bfing afterward. They want to get pregnant in the next couple of months. So she's having to make all these decisions like you are. She's currently still breastfeeding her 2 year old and that concerns her. Lots of decisions.

Sending you energy for clear decisions that are for your best interest/health and that of the baby.

[Sol_y_Paz]

Ainh, you have a lot on your plate with the job in the spring too.  I think getting a second opinion if you can would do so much to put your mind at ease.  I wanted to check in and tell you today I found out I will have to have abdominal surgery in a few weeks.  I have had several opinions and they agree this is what is best for the baby and my situation being high risk.  It is scary.  

[ainh]

Originally Posted by Sol_y_Paz 

Ainh, you have a lot on your plate with the job in the spring too.  I think getting a second opinion if you can would do so much to put your mind at ease.  I wanted to check in and tell you today I found out I will have to have abdominal surgery in a few weeks.  I have had several opinions and they agree this is what is best for the baby and my situation being high risk.  It is scary.  

Wow.  Sorry to hear that you are going through this too.  What week will you surgery be?  Will you need general anesthesia?  I've never had surgery of any kind and never had anesthesia of any kind, so it really scares me how it will affect me and then also how it will affect the baby.  My mom has had some really bad reactions to it and we usually have the same reactions to medications.  On the other hand, I want this creepy thing out of me!!  Hah.  I guess these decisions are never easy.  I'm glad in your case that it's a clear cut decision.  Please let us know when you'll be having your surgery -- you'll be in my thoughts.  As for me, I'll find out more at my 12 week ultrasound on January 17th.

[Sol_y_Paz]

Thanks.  Sorry to hear you guys have bad reactions.  That is definitely a valid concern along with the others.

I am really scared and had dreams of it all night long.  I should probably start my own thread, sorry I put it here.  Just wanted to say I will be able to tell you what surgery while pregnant is like pretty soon. 

Please keep us updated on your 12 week ultrasound.  I do hope you get a second opinion.  

Edited by Sol_y_Paz - 2/8/12 at 6:27pm

[ainh]

I'm definitely glad you posted it here (though I can see you'd want to start a support thread too).  In real life I don't know anyone that has had surgery during pregnancy, so I feel very alone.  I did have a friend that was in a similar situation to me, but when she got a second opinion they decided she didn't need surgery at all and the cyst on her thyroid resolved itself.  I guess I could get a second opinion too, but the internet seems pretty clear on dermoid cysts of a certain size -- they never resolve themselves and they can be cancerous.  It's just a matter of when it comes out.  As crazy as it sounds, this is one time when I might consider a c-section.  I have gone to great lengths for my previous vaginal births, but if they are going to do surgery right after the birth anyway, I would actually think about it, you know?  Both of my boys were nine pounds and came a week late and I can't see this going well with a growing cyst inside of me....

[Sol_y_Paz]

Originally Posted by ainh 
 I guess I could get a second opinion too, but the internet seems pretty clear on dermoid cysts of a certain size -- they never resolve themselves and they can be cancerous.  It's just a matter of when it comes out.  As crazy as it sounds, this is one time when I might consider a c-section.  I have gone to great lengths for my previous vaginal births, but if they are going to do surgery right after the birth anyway, I would actually think about it, you know? 

If it seems clear cut then there is no reason for a second opinion.  Sending you good vibes.  I know it can be hard sorting out your real feelings as it is downright alarming to get that news and then you have the extra hormones going on.  
You considering a C-section doesn't sound crazy to me at all based on what is going on with you and if they are already going to do surgery might as well get it all over with in one go of things.

Edited by Sol_y_Paz - 2/8/12 at 6:27pm

[ainh]

Yes.  I think I'd be OK with a c-section this time, which is VERY different than I felt with my first two births.  My first boy was breech and I was so depressed at the thought of a c-setion.  He never turned on his own and I really never came to terms with it.  Eventually I had an external version and luckily they were able to flip him head down very easily!  My head was just never able to process that I'd have a c-section (and I'm not even very crunchy).  Who knows how I'll feel in seven months?  Right now I'm still kind of in denial about this pregnancy.

Please keep us posted on your surgery!  I'll be very curious to hear how it goes and what week of pregnancy you'll be in when you have it.  Good luck finding a doctor that you like and trust.

[folkgirl]

I have had a dermoid cyst on my ovary, but not during pregnancy. This was before I was pregnant for the first time. I had it removed laproscopically and it was a pretty simple procedure, with a recovery time of about one week. I have also had one cesarean surgery and one vaginal birth. I have to say, the cesarean surgery was MUCH harder to recover from than the laproscopy. It's just a much more complicated surgery, and I think even in the best case scenario the recovery is more challenging, especially while taking care of a newborn. Of course, I absolutely understand that you have a lot of concerns here and you and your providers are the best ones to make these decisions. It does make it a lot more complicated since you may be facing this tumor removal during pregnancy or right after childbirth. I just wanted to offer my experience having had both surgeries under different circumstances. :hug:

[ainh]

Thanks Folkgirl!  I talked to the doctor more about it on Friday and she said they normally wouldn't do c-section and cyst removal at the same time, so I guess that's not a decision I'll have to make most likely.  If it weren't for concerns about the anathesia, it seems like it would be nice to have the surgery done before the baby comes, you know?  I'd hate to interrupt bf'ing later and such. 

[Sol_y_Paz]

 I am thinking of you and really hoping it doesn't grow and doesn't cause any problems.  

Edited by Sol_y_Paz - 2/8/12 at 6:28pm

[Sol_y_Paz]

Ainh,

Been thinking of you a lot lately, I wish there was something I could do to help.  Please update if you can.  Sending you healing vibes.  

[ainh]

Thanks for checking on me.  They looked at it again and it seems to be the same size.  I have had a weird low grade fever for a week now though and in the back of my head I worry the cyst has burst or gotten infected or something!  They put me on a antibiotics, but I'm having a terrible reaction to them, so don't know if I'll continue.  Ugh.  This pregnancy just isn't going smoothly!! 

BUT...I am SO, SO, SO glad to hear that your surgery went well!!!  Very inspirational!!  How is recovery for you?  Hope you're able to get lots of rest and relax post surgery.

[Sol_y_Paz]

Thanks for the update.  So glad it hasn't changed in size.  The fever is strange and glad you are doing something about it but I am sorry you are having reactions to the antibiotics!  Goodness.  It has not been an easy time for you.  

Recovery was rough at first but that is normal. I had some type of allergic reaction to a medication and never figured out which one.  Still on antibiotics. But doing so much better today.  I want to just run with it and start cooking and cleaning like crazy and generally launch back into life with gusto but I know it is not a good idea so I am trying to take it easy.