Bilateral Ovarian Cystadenocarcinoma or Cystadenoma

[Elaine808]

My mom had a recent MRI, CT and US to rule out metasis.  But the reports that came back are confusing and I need help in understanding the technical lingo. Heres a little info on my mom:

She had a radical right nephrectomy (removal of kidney) due to Kidney cancer and her follow-up 3 month scan (MRI) showed a pelvic mass. Hence, an ultrasound and CT scan was ordered as a result.

An endovaginal ultrasound of the pelvis was done and indicated a "bilateral complex solid and cystic ovarian masses with low resistance arterial flow in a post-menopausal woman. The findings are highly suggestive of bilateral ovarian cystadenocarcinoma or cystadenoma. Normal appearing post menopausal uterus." My mom is 72 years old.

What does this mean? Is this cancer? I can't find info on ovarian cystadenocarcinoma! It is freaking me out. The follow-up CT report indicated: " pelvic masses are contiguous with the uterus and with the typical appearance of leiomyomas, however, ultrasound including endovaginal techniques should be done to further clarify the anatomy and document this process. Fibroids appear to be the principle consideration and the appearance is benign."

This report I like better but until we meet with the doc I don't know what to think. Is this report indicative of a person with ovarian cancer? Any help and information you can send me would be greatly appreciated. I am so worried and at my wits end. Thanks in advance for all your help!
Aloha no,
Elaine in Hawaii

[MickeyVicki]

Elaine, a CA-125 test could be done...BUT, other cancers and health conditions  can cause elevated test results, AND not all ovarian cancers produce that antigen.  So, there is not really a good way to test for the disease without surgery.  Unless, of course, the disease has spread in such a way that it clearly shows on a CT or PET, and this is obviously not the case for your mother.   The best use of the CA-125 when ovarian cancer is found; then, the test is used to create a baseline and later monitor the success of treatment.

Fibroids can be left in place as long as the patient is not suffering any effects from them.  Some women experience painful, heavy periods from fibroids, along with frequent urination and constipation.

[Elaine808]

Hi MickiVicki,

Thank you for sharing your story with me and for putting my mind at ease--although I am such a worry wart and know that things can change in a minute. Thats was cancer has done to me, made me a question and suspicious about everything!!! My mom is a Kidney Cancer survivor and I try to remind myself that Cancer is not a death sentence!!! I just hate this disease so much!!! fighting the beast (cancer)takes a lot out of you and can be so cruel. I am praying that the cysts are the cystadenomas and not the cancerous type. I will make sure we discuss with the doc which it is and if we need to operate to get these things out or not.

Would you happen to know if surgery is the first line of defense against this type of problem (the fibroids)? I've read that lots of people just leave them alone-if they are not causing problems. She has never complained about pelvic pain and has had no bleeding that she knows of. I am so thankful that she is not in a lot of pain. Although my mom is a tough cookie and I think her pain threshold is high.

I'm really nervous about her undergoing another surgery so soon (if it comes to that). Her nephrectomy was done recently in December 2005. At the same time it doesn't sit well with me leaving these questionable cysts/masses in her. Apart of me wishes the doc had known this before her nephrectomy so that they could of removed both her kidney and pelvic masses at the same time! It would of been nice to kill 2 birds with one stone. Now I'm scared again. I'm really afraid to hope, because I just don't know how I can deal with another cancer prognosis. I guess I was stealing myself against hearing her cancer metasisized, I was not prepared to hear about unknown pelvic masses.

Anyways, I'm so thankful for your response and I hope you are doing well (as it sounded like you are doing well).Here's sending you well wishes and positive thoughts across the pacific ocean.
Aloha no,
Elaine in Hawaii

[Elaine808]

Hi everyon,

I have another question regarding my mom's CT & US report. Should she take the CA 125 blood test to see if she has cystadenocarcinoma or cystadenoma? Would this test reveal which of the 2 conditions she has? From what I've read on this site, it would indicate that is so, but I am wanting to make sure.

As always thanks for all your help.

Aloha no,
Elaine in Hawaii

[MickeyVicki]

Elaine, the term cystadenocarcinoma  simply indicates a cancer (a malignant tumor) of any kind.  The non-cancerous equivalent of that term is cystadenoma.   The way the report is worded clearly shows that, at this time, there is no clear indication of cancer.

Usually, if the ultrasound indicates a possible problem (perhaps a cancer) then the patient is sent for a CT or PET.  See, you also have a CT report that indicates the possibility the masses are fibroids.  And, there is always the possibility that there are complications such as scar tissues from the kidney removal that are further muddying the imaging.

Last, I can share with you the result of my ultrasound last December.  The report came back to us that I had a cyst on my left ovary.  Well, there was a big problem with that part of the report --- my left ovary was removed the year before.  Anyway, in a follow-up ultrasound, the "left ovary and cyst" was nothing more than a cyst that was long known to be on the left side of my uterus.  Nothing new and nothing to worry about...so don't let one report scare you.

Wait until further testing is done, and then you should know more.