Borderline serous tumor

I am 47 years old. In August I wound up in the VA ER with severe abdominal pain that had been growing steadily worse for about two weeks. I had made an emergency trip to my regular doc the week before and he felt that it was either my ovary or colitis and chose to treat the colitis. Thumbnail version, it was a "ruptured abscess on my left ovary" per my GYN, who was called in to perform a complete hysterectomy 24 hours after I came into the ER. I spent four days in ICU and four more on the floor. In a VA hospital. I got a LOT of attention.

A week later my GYN tells me that the path report showed "abnormal cells" and he was sending samples out for independent testing. Upshot - stage 2b borderline serous tumor. I had to wait six weeks from my surgery to find that out. My GYN just got excited, told me I had cancer, and, because our local VA doesn't have a gynecological oncologist, referred me out to a civilian. Obviously, I spent the last month in a controlled stationary panic.OK, so the GYN ONC sits me down and tells me all about this serous stuff. I had my dad with me because I have a tendency to focus on the little things that freak me out and miss the big picture, and promptly forget half or better of what I'm told. However, the ONC left me more confused than ever, particularly after I did some research.

Because they were unaware of the cancer (ovaries, tube, and uterus) when the hysterectomy was done, they didn't test everything "they should have," according to my GYN. He told me that the ONC was more than likely going to open me back up and take the lymph nodes, omentum, and do an abdominal wash (I don't know all the fancy words for this stuff) to look for attached and free floating cells. The ONC pooh-poohed that and basically my "treatment" is going to be "wait and see." He's sending me for a CT scan in November. He said that we'll "just keep an eye out for further masses or tumors."

All the research I've done since yesterday (instead of work or homework) has indicated that I should be "staged" or that other word I can't remember, both of which I took to mean "tested" for "implants" and this and that and other medical words. Other than what my GYN removed, nothing that's left has been, or apparently will be, tested.

All that to ask... is that OK? I'm frankly a little worried and I can't really do research because most of what I've found kind of hinges on whether or not you know if you have implants and what kind and where and various other things. And most of the articles focus on stage I tumors. All I KNOW is that I was told I had a stage 2b borderline serous tumor.And there seems to be a lot of disagreement or inclusions regarding borderline tumors anyway.

Sorry this is so long. I'm trying to decide whether I should stress a little bit or not. I can't go back to the ONC because I was only authorized one visit and I didn't know the right questions to ask because I didn't know what I had before I went. Any advice, please? Or soothing comments?

[hopeshell]

I am so sorry to hear about your recent dx and I completely understand why you are confused.  But, you are not alone.  Borderline tumors are confusing!    In fact, the experts don't even agree on many things about these types of tumors.  But, in general, borderlines have an excellent prognosis.   Doctors now consider sparing fertility for young women who get them.  So, it is often considered more risky to complete the staging surgery rather than watching and waiting since most won't ever recur.  If they do recur, then surgery is usually the treatment.  Slow growing tumors don't respond well to chemo, so it wouldn't benefit you to have aggressive treatment on this type of tumor.

The only debate is whether or not you truly had a borderline versus a more advanced grade of tumor.  You mention that you had a second opinion on the pathology.  If you didn't have them reviewed by a major cancer center, you may feel better having yet one more opinion.  You may want to ask your gyn/onc about a second check on the pathology.  It sounds like your gyn/onc is following you closely since you have a CT scheduled in Nov.  Close follow-up is a must!  

It is very unfortunate and anxiety producing to have to wait and wonder if cancer is going to return.  It does get better with time.  So, hang in there!  It does sound like your follow-up plan is on track and try not to worry! :)