12cm tumour fit through a Laporoscopy?

[Weeworrier]

hi ladies 🙂

First post here so hope it's ok.

I have a total hysterectomy booked in for next month. It was discussed with my consultant weeks ago that he would do a vertical abdominal surgery.

However, I went for my pre-op today and they said I will be having a Laporoscopy instead.

Just wondering if anyone has had this before for a large ovarian tumour like mine....12cm!!

Its not 100% that the tumour is cancerous, it is moveable, soft but has solid/hard areas within it. Surely there is more chance of it rupturing during a laparoscopy and spilling cancer cells everywhere?

Please let me know if anyone has any advice.

Thanks everyone

[kadabra12]

I have surgery tomorrow and for the same size tumour im having a midline laparotomy ( vertical incision) so maybe the wording was misunterpretated

[Trickysite]

do ask your surgeon to discuss pros and cons. It is your body and it is important you are happy with the prospective procedure. X

[Angel-teal13]

I think Kadabra may be right ! I too had a midline vertical laparotomy and I was told it is for removing the necessary bits and also to enable everything to be fully investigated in your body cavity . I think this is often standard in the U.K. if there is a possibility of cancer . The two terms laparoscopy and laparotomy or very similar and could be confused . It might be helpful to ask the secretary ( by phone) who deals with your Consultant surgeon’ s appointments for clarification , if you feel it would help you . My tumour was also 12 cm and had solid parts and it was uncertain as to what is was until the surgery was done , but unfortunately in my case it was ovarian cancer . I know that some people get keyhole surgery in some instances but for mine it had to be a laparotomy , no question. Not sure if that helps . Could be a spelling error on the letter , so maybe wise to check the wording carefully first ! Best of luck with your procedure anyway and it’ s good you have found us here as it can be a great source of help and comfort from others who fully understand .

Angelteal x

[Rosado22]

I heard the term laparoscopic and thought it could equally be to do with how they actually cut off the ovary and tube and I think they removed my mass and tube laparoscopically but through a abdominal incision which was long - I also had a lot of exploratory feeling about on the first surgery as I needed a bigger op in the end

[Mariej2021]

I agree with the previous advice to have a further discussion with your surgeon just to clarify what the procedure is exactly. I had an initial laparoscopic removal of ovarian mass and both ovaries when it was thought to be benign but then later had an open laparotomy for completion when the histology came back and confirmed cancer. Sending you hugs and good wishes

[delia2]

hi. It may be that they are removing the tumor for diagnostic purposes and would do a full debulking later if needed. My big op was robotic and they put a bag around the tumor before removing it. It was 10cm but collapsed once in the bag. Definitely talk to the team. Xx

[Django123]

I had tumors of a similar size, and I asked my surgeon how she was going to get something so big out of such a small hole. She told me she would put the tumor into a bag, then break it up to remove it. She also said that if there was evidence that the cancer had spread she would convert to an open incision so that she could remove what she needed to. I was fortunate that my tumors were borderline and found at an early stage. Everything went well, and I was glad not to have a big incision to recover from. Best wishes for your surgery and recovery. --Lani

[Realistic]

l agree with everyone on here ask lots of questions were not Doctors and sometimes things just go over our heads because we don't fully understand. It will put you at ease . Good luck sending love & hugs SheilaFxxx

[Weeworrier]

Thanks so much for all your replies!! 💕

Spoke to my surgeon and turns out I shouldnt have got the leaflet for laparoscopic surgery and he is going qith his initial abdominal open surgery.

What a journery this is ......emotions are all over the place 🥴

[Trickysite in reply to Weeworrier]

it pays to ask! Well done!