Can Tamoxifen increase the size of my ovary ??? Ovaries cause breast cancers ??

Last year, I had a breast cancers. Had lumpectomy and some lympnodes removed. All Clear. I am 41 years old. I have 6 months chemotheraphy and 1 month radiation.

After 22 days of taking 20 gram tamoxifen every day, I had my Pavic Utrasound exammination on July 29, 2005. My right Ovary is about 7 cm.

On September 8, 2005, I have a nother Pavic Utrasound examination. My right overy is growing about 2 cm since July 29, 2005. A bried Doppler study revealed some blood flow in the mass.

Because of the chemotherphy. I started having my period again on September 8, 2005 since Jan 2005.

CA 125 = 11
I am the first person in my families/relatives who has/had cancer.

I was feeling good before my Pavic Utrasound reports came out...

I don't think I have any symstoms/signs of Overy cancer yet...

I am going to have a Laparoscopy to have my right ovary removed.
Because they say that is the only way to be sure why the right overy size is not normal...

If it is cancer, they will remove both ovaries and my uterus. Otherwise, they will just remove my right ovary.


Questions:
1) Is it possible my right ovary shrink once I start having periods again ?

2) Can tamoxifen increase the size of my right ovary ?

3) Will it really be better of for ER+ breast cancer patients to have their overies removed ?


Would appreciates if you would share your opinions regarding this isssue...  

Thank You very much... Have a nice weekend.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear 41:  There are several reasons why an ovary may increase in size.  Ovarian cysts are the most common cause of enlargment of the ovary and tamoxifen can increase the risk of getting ovarian cysts.  In some cases, cystic ovarian masses can be followed, in other situations, removal is required to be certain that there is no malignancy.  Removing the ovaries may be beneficial in ER+ premenopausal breast cancer, but it is currently a research question whether removal of the ovaries and taking tamoxifen is better than tamoxifen alone.  You may want to discuss this matter further with your oncologist.

[41]

Thank you very much for the comment :)

The left ovary measures 3.8 X 3.1 x 2.3 cm and is normal in size.

There is a large mass measuring 10 x 5.8 x 5.3 cm in the right adnexa.

Abrief Doppler study revealed some blood flow in the mass.

This appears about 2 cm large compare with what was described on the previous outside study dated 29 July, 2005.

This should be considered to represent a neoplasm, until proven otherwiese.  Laparoscopy is advised for further assesment.

Does a cyst also consider as a neoplasm ?