Borderline Cancer

[eimear]

I have been told i have borderline cancer. A tumour the size of a walnut was removed along with cyst 9cm.They also removed my ovary and tube both right side. I had been going for ivf when this was discovered now i have been told I have only one try and then it would be better if my womb was removed. Please answer me as i am confused.

[gls2824]

There's a lot of conflicting information about atypical proliferating tumors, also known as borderline or LMP (low malignant potential).  Generally, it is not cancer.  Whether it can become cancer or not is also not really known.  There's also a difference between mucinous tumors and serous tumors.  However, it can recur and it can be invasive.

Usually a full hysterectomy is the "cure" but in your case, since they were trying to preserve your fertility, they only removed what they had to.  I think they're concerned about a recurrence in what is left and the possibility that you may get something more serious since you appear to be prone to it (as some of us are, unfortunately).

That's probably why they're proposing a hysterectomy in the near future.

I was told by my gyn oncologist that borderline tumors only recur in about 4% of women after they have a hysterectomy, usually way down the line (20 years or so) and would again be cured by surgery.  At least that's something to give you comfort.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.  There's a lot of great information on this site and you will get a lot of support.

[sh76]

Hello, my situation is similar to you and i joined this site not long ago to find some answers. The ladies here have been a great help to me and i have found Dr Goodman to be very helpfull.If you look in the Ovarian cancer expert forum you will find my answers from Dr Goodman on my borderline cancer.

I have been told that a 'borderline tumor' is a slow growing malignancy that it is usually 'cured' by surgery.
I was also told they do not usually treat with chemo as 'borderline tumors' are slow growing cells and chemo is used to treat invasive cancer as these are fast growing cells.

Also i have read that in women that are still wanting children they can usually preserve their fertility by saving the other ovary untill they are finished having children.

I hope this will be your situation, that they save your other ovary for you untill you have had a chance to concieve with ivf.

I wish you all the best, take care!

[melenzbee83]

Hi,
I have also been diagnosed with LMP borderline serous tumor. I agree with eimear, borderline means slow growing malignancy. It is really dangerous the way some people talk about borderline not being "cancer", that is not true. I spoke to my oncologist who meets with international gooroos monthly to discuss my case and internationally borderline is not meant to be considered "benign". I just wanted to make this clear, not to scare you, but so you ensure constant follow up. The prognosis for patients with borderline is excellent especially with earlier stages. Everyone's case is different so 4% chance does not apply to everyone. The hardest thing for me with borderline is living in fear and not being able to be given a prognosis etc, There just is not enough known about this type and what causes some to turn invasive and others not or whether women with invasive tumors also carry non invasive implants. There are a lot of articles online my advice is stick to the most recent ones. Also ask your specilaist what stage yours was? and if you had any extra ovarian disease in your utuerus etc and whether these implants if you had any are non invasive or invasive.

[gls2824]

Unfortunately, someone on this thread has categorized my attempts to help from experience as "dangerous."  My gyn oc is one of the "gurus" that  is asked for his opinion by other doctors, and teaches about this to future doctors at a teaching hospital.  He has many years of experience with these conditions.  I have tried to share his information and my experience,  but this is MY situation and may not apply to everyone.

These forums are great, but don't substitute for an opinion from your doctor who has seen you and has all of your information.  It is a great place for support and to ask wonderful women who have been through it all for advice.  I learned a lot here, including that I should go to a gynoc, which I did, for my surgery.

I never said this condition is "benign."  It is somewhere in-between and doesn't behave the same for everyone.  My gynoc gave the best information FOR ME on what to expect and said a malignancy is a malignancy and a borderline is a borderline. Of course the 4% doesn't apply to everyone -- nothing applies to everyone since we're not a statistic, we're living, breathing people who sometimes beat the odds.  And again -- invasive is not a definition of malignant.

I don't blame anyone for their reaction.  It's scarey.  And the younger you are the scarier it is.  We're not experts, and sometimes even the experts aren't experts.  But at some point you have to believe someone and embark on the best course FOR YOU.

My hope is that my postings will give another side to the story..  Those of us who had low malignant potential (just read the words to know what they mean) tumors are luckier than a lot of women on this site.  Pointing fingers at those who are trying to help or labelling their attempts at helping "dangerous" is counter-productive and not what this forum is about.  I had a long talk with my surgeon and he said that I should look at this as dodging a bullet.  He said go and live a long life and take good care of myself, not to dwell on this but also not to forget my follow-up appointments.  I intend to do that and keep a very positive attitude.  To do anything less would throw away this second chance I've been given.  It could have been so much worse!

[melenzbee83]

To gls2824,
The comment made was not directed at you AT ALL! no one needs nasty messages posted on here with everything they have going on.
I simply (like you) passed on what i had been told. If you took it personally that is your mistake as that is not how is was intended at all and i apologise for that. If i wanted to direct it at you i would of sent you a personal post and not a nasty one.To me it seems you have taken something personal which was not at all. It would of been better to send me a message then post on a general thread and now instead a unneccessary drama has been made.