QuestionQUESTION: Dear Doctor, Just 8 months before my wife, age 34, had gone through a procedure to remove endometriosis cyst of 8 cms size from right ovary. Before, procedure, she had tried hormonal pills etc for its treatment also. Now, after 8 months she has again been diagnosed and is having 4 cms endometriosis cyst. Please advise me what should we do now to get rid of this problem and to avoid its reoccurance. Is there any laproscopic treatment to puncture and remove this cyst. Thank you in anticipation. Puneet Gandhi
ANSWER: Puneet
Having a cyst and having endometriosis are 2 different issues. Chances are, if she has a cyst removed and tested, she should be fine, unless she's prone to cysts. But having endo can be tricky. Endo can be removed from time to time, from different parts of the womans organs, but there is always a high re occurrence. Most women have endo the rest of their lives, even with hysterectomies. It is a very painful and life disrupting condition for women.
Hormones do help endo, in that the hormonal treatment will help slow new endo tissue thus helping with the monthly pain and discomfort. I used hormones for 15 years and felt pretty good. As soon as I got off of them, I began to experience the pain again.
It sounds like your wife has already had a laporoscopy done. This procedure would have first indicated the cysts.
Unfortunately, there is no reassurance that endo will resolve itself, most times it's for life. A good doctor can help your wife with the pain, discomfort and reoccurring cysts.
I wish you well and your wife and hope she finds comfort and peace.
Martha
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you Doctor for your kind response. I want to clarify that the cyst of 8 cms was removed not by laporoscopy but by complete surgical operation by cutting the abdomen. While removing it by operation, it was ruptured in the ovary. Doctors told us that they have cleaned the ovary so that no particle remains in the ovary to avoid its reoccurrence. leporoscopy was not done because doctors were doubtful that it may be cancerous and by rupturing the cancer particles may remain and spread in the ovary. After removal, it was diagnosed as endometrial and non cancerous. Please advise can we now remove it by leporoscopy or is there any medication available without any side effects. We do not want children. so there is no sentimental problem in removing ovary. Please also advise, if we remove the ovary in which it is reoccurring. Thanking you.
AnswerHello Puntee
Firstly, laporoscopy is a diagnostic procedure only, where a doctor will use this technique to look inside to see what has occurred as far as damage or if it is endometriosis at all.
Since the cyst was removed and it is non cancerous...your wife should be fine, loss of an ovary is not an issue, as one still remains for normal monthly functions.
Like I said, cysts and endometriosis are separate issues. As long as they remove the present cysts and no endo had been found upon the surgery, then all should be well. She will probably have to be monitored for a while to insure no further growth progresses.
So removal of an ovary is fine...I have that same situation. I only possess one ovary, as my left ovary was enveloped in endometriosis.
I hope I have clarified this for you...if not let me know please.
Martha
