Is this cancer?

I have had horrible right side pain which at times radiates to the lower pelvis, since November. It gets unbearable during ovulation. I have pain after intercourse for up to three days after. I am bloated and tired all the time. They have done two internal ultrasounds, MRI, CAT scan and colonoscopy, CA125 blood test with all test being inconclusive. Is there anything I am missing? Could this be cancer? What should my next step be?

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
The good news is that most things are NOT cancer.  Depending upon your age at any rate.  If you are under 50 its most likely benign.  If you were my patient, the next thing I would discuss with you is laparoscopy.  That is a minor surgical procedure in which we insert a fiber-optic scope (tv camera) through a small incision below the belly button, and look around in there.  To me, it sounds like endometriosis or adhesions--both can be removed at least partially by laparoscopy.  Biopsies can be taken as well, if there is anything that looks suspicious.  Once you have a diagnosis to work with, treatment is a lot easier to figure out.  In some cases, such as if adhesions (scar tissue) is causing your pain, surgery may at least partially solve the problem.  Even if you still have some residual pain afterward, it is much easier to tolerate if you know what it is, and know that it is not cancer!
Good luck!
Dr B