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Ovarian Cancer (Expert Forum)
concerns about possible OC
Answered by
Annekathryn Goodman, M.D. - Gynecologic Cancers, Complex Gynecologic, Surgeries, Palliative Care, Acupuncture
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding ovarian cancer issues, such as: Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, Genetics, Hysterectomy,Immunotherapy, Ovarian Cancer Types, Radiation Therapy, Risk Factors, Screening, Staging, Surgery.
concerns about possible OC
by mls1604, Nov 09, 2006 12:00AM
I had a partial hysterectomy November of 2005 and only had my uterus removed. Since then I've had constant pain on my left side again. I'm currently on an arimidex protocol until December to see if this helps with the pain. As of right now nothing has changed. Recently I went to my family doctor because I was having pain on my left side, constant bowel moevements, fatigue, pain in my back, and abdominal swelling. At first the dr. thought it was possibly kidney stones, so I ha a CT scan and bloodwork...........everything was fine. My last vaginal ultrasoud in October showed nothing wrong with my ovaries but the more I read about Ovarian Cancer and it being the "silent killer" the more I can't help to wonderif it's possible. my obgyn did say that when I go back in December if the arimidex hasn't worked surgery is inevitable. We've tried everything else. I really wanna call my doctor and voice my concern about this but I'm not sure if I'm way off on this one or not. I don't want to sound stupid or that I'm grasping for straws. I'm just in a great deal of pain and discomfort and no one seems to know why...........It's very frustrating! If anyone can offer and help or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Marcia
Marcia
Doctor's Answer
by Annekathryn Goodman, M.D., Nov 12, 2006 12:00AM
, Nov 12, 2006 12:00AM
Hi There,
In summary, you have had constant pain since your uterus was removed. You say that your uterus was removed because of severe endometriosis.
So I have a few questions for you:
-Did you have any pain prior to the surgery? If so, how is this pain different.
-if the pain only started after the surgery, when did it start? immediately? At 6 weeks? Or only when you tried to get back to your normal physical activity?
-is the pain associated with bowel movement, urination or sex?
-is the pain related to exercise or is it present at rest?
-do you have any other associated symptoms? Fever, back pain, blood in the urine etc?
-how was your hysterectomy done? vaginally?, with an incision? with a laparoscope?
If you had pain before surgery and you have endometriosis, the pain could be related to your endometriosis. This can be so even in the absence of ovarian cysts. The pain from endometriosis is not well understood but is related to implants of endometrial tissue along the lining of the abdomen (called the peritoneum). The pain is not related to size of lesions. Even the tiniest spot can cause terrible pain for some people.
Unless you had a vaginal hysterectomy and your abdomen was not evaluated, it is highly unlikely for your pain to be related to ovarian cancer. If the surgeon was just in your abdomen a year ago, a cancer would have been seen if it was present. However, when a hysterectomy is accomplished through the vagina, it is not possible to see into the abdomen and it is commonly not possible to even see and examine the ovaries through the vagina.
Postoperative pain can be due to infection, a problem with the scar such as a hernia, a severe muscle strain, adhesions, or an actual complication of surgery such as damage to the bowel , bladder, or ureters (the tubes that bring the urine form the kidneys to the bladder.)While people will commonly attribute post operative chronic pain to adhesions, the most common reason for pain after abdominal surgery is from muscle strain. In general, adhesions usually just allow the internal organs to not move around too much. Abnormal pain usually only occurs when the adhesions cause a twisting in a normal structure such as a loop of bowel.
take care
In summary, you have had constant pain since your uterus was removed. You say that your uterus was removed because of severe endometriosis.
So I have a few questions for you:
-Did you have any pain prior to the surgery? If so, how is this pain different.
-if the pain only started after the surgery, when did it start? immediately? At 6 weeks? Or only when you tried to get back to your normal physical activity?
-is the pain associated with bowel movement, urination or sex?
-is the pain related to exercise or is it present at rest?
-do you have any other associated symptoms? Fever, back pain, blood in the urine etc?
-how was your hysterectomy done? vaginally?, with an incision? with a laparoscope?
If you had pain before surgery and you have endometriosis, the pain could be related to your endometriosis. This can be so even in the absence of ovarian cysts. The pain from endometriosis is not well understood but is related to implants of endometrial tissue along the lining of the abdomen (called the peritoneum). The pain is not related to size of lesions. Even the tiniest spot can cause terrible pain for some people.
Unless you had a vaginal hysterectomy and your abdomen was not evaluated, it is highly unlikely for your pain to be related to ovarian cancer. If the surgeon was just in your abdomen a year ago, a cancer would have been seen if it was present. However, when a hysterectomy is accomplished through the vagina, it is not possible to see into the abdomen and it is commonly not possible to even see and examine the ovaries through the vagina.
Postoperative pain can be due to infection, a problem with the scar such as a hernia, a severe muscle strain, adhesions, or an actual complication of surgery such as damage to the bowel , bladder, or ureters (the tubes that bring the urine form the kidneys to the bladder.)While people will commonly attribute post operative chronic pain to adhesions, the most common reason for pain after abdominal surgery is from muscle strain. In general, adhesions usually just allow the internal organs to not move around too much. Abnormal pain usually only occurs when the adhesions cause a twisting in a normal structure such as a loop of bowel.
take care
Member Comments (13)
by dalip, Nov 09, 2006 12:00AM
To: mls1604
have same problem,same side but cysts were discovered on both ovaries. I too have had uterus removed many years ago and my consultant has surggested it may be adhesions. I have a tendancy to agree with him. Have they performed a colonoscopy to check the bowel?.This should really be the next step before more surgery I also get groin pain and pain when i open my bowels.Hope this helps. Dawn
by mls1604, Nov 09, 2006 12:00AM
thanks for that! I think I still need to call my dr. and let him know what's going on either way. Maybe a lap. would be ok just to see what's going on before I decided to finish off the hysterectomy. The whole thing just scares me and I can't really afford to be out of work for 6 weeks right now but I know my health comes first but I sometimes I don't think my employer sees it that way.
by dalip, Nov 09, 2006 12:00AM
To: msl1604
yes agree you need to talk over options with dr. I have family history of ovca so i really want mine out but like you my employer is very anti-ill, plus i can not afford to be off ill.What sort of "surgery is enevitable" though,as next step?. Why did you have hysterectomy for in first place?, that might have some bearing on this, as you dont say in your post.Dawn
by mls1604