[Evei]

Been to the Doctors this morning to get some results.

Now the results show a 5x5cm (small satsuma size) dermoid cyst which is basically a lump of bone/hair and fatty tissue and liquids. They are not dangerous (less than 1% are cancerous apparently) and tend to be very slow growing typically 1.2mm a year, though mine must be faster than that as I'm not old enough for it to be the size it is I have no problems associated with it. So the veiw of the GP is to have another ultrsound in 6 months time to see how it is developing and not refer to hospital with the view to have to removed.

Now being stupid I have read around and most people appear to have them removed when they reach 5-6 cm in size (I know reading on the internet is NOT a good idea ) . I'm not sure if I should really be pushing more for a referal as I'm not sure if I like the idea of a satsuma sized tumour completely hiding the right ovary so it cannot be seen, and I don't know the implications this will have in the future and being a certain age children and all that malarky are always in the mind

I got the impression that the doctor would refer me if I said I really wanted to be referred but like everything if it is not urgent or life threatening they will try and persuade you everything is fine to save money.

Am I being silly and just a bit upset? What would you do? Maybe I should go with a list of questions? -though I asked some questions off the top of my head and I was not convinced the GP really knew how to answer..it was all very vague

Would you push for a referal to a consultant who knows more and can answer the questions properly? I think I'm getting quite attached to my little 'furby' as I've named him

[MrBump]

You could ask it's not going to harm to be told by the consultant that it's ok to wait. Better in my opinion to let the experts say that than a gp. Sometimes I feel things need mentioning a few times before the gp acts upon it!

[Priorylady]

I think you should have a referral to a gynaecologist for an opinion. You're right that the risk of it being malignant is very very small.

However, at the moment it could potentially be removed laparoscopically (keyhole surgery) if it gets much bigger you would need open surgery which would be more time in hospital and a longer recovery. Also it;s not impossible that the cyst could twist and course a lot of pain. You are always better having a cyst removed at a planned, daytime operation rather than done as an emergency at 3 in the morning.

[pattricia]

Im wondering what my brother in law would have said who was a consultant surgeon. Im sure he would have said "Yes" ask to be referred. Better to be safe than sorry.

[Strix]

Originally Posted by Evei

<snip> I don't know the implications this will have in the future and being a certain age children and all that malarky are always in the mind

<snip>

Am I being silly and just a bit upset? What would you do? Maybe I should go with a list of questions? -though I asked some questions off the top of my head and I was not convinced the GP really knew how to answer..it was all very vague

Would you push for a referal to a consultant who knows more and can answer the questions properly?

Yes, I'd push for a referral - given the above

Did you discuss the 'having kids' thing? It may be that this situation means you're best getting on with having kids right away, just in case that ceases to be an option at a later stage, or it may be that you're best having this removed before 'trying'

If it's ever going to be removed, you'd think that it'd be an easier and safer job done sooner rather than later though, so I can't see why you haven't been referred, other than for budget reasons

[medusa]

Personally yes, I'd get a referral and unless there's a reason to leave it in there and it's big enough to be handled and taken out easily, I'd get it taken out in line with the schedule that the consultant advised.

Removal will cause less damage when it's removed surgically and, speaking from experience on these things, even if it's not likely to be dangerous, the small proportion that are dangerous (both tumour-wise and also damage to organs from the growth and the surgery to remove it) cann dwell on your mind unless your questions are answered fully and you have a plan to deal with it properly.

Admittedly mine were rather more dangerous than yours, but it did feel like I'd got a ticking time bomb inside me and I just could not even contemplate waiting to have the first one removed (mine was called Desmond BTW, and I decided to regard it as a very ectopic alien pregnancy!) and it took all of my brain power not to go loopy with the fact that the second one couldn't be removed.

If you need answers then you need answers, and if you need a plan you need a plan- and both of those need to come from a consultant, not a GP.

[Evei]

Thanks for the answers. I think I will see if I can get referred, even if it just to put my mind at rest and ask my increasing list of questions, Like the name 'desmond' Medusa Glad I'm not the only one that is mad enough to give it a name!

I'm really not very good with the whole doctor/ hospital/ dentist (even hairdressers) thing as I find it quite stressful being prodded and poked so I dislike going.