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Ovarian Cancer (Expert Forum)
Confused about diagnosis
Answered by
Annekathryn Goodman, M.D. - Gynecologic Cancers, Complex Gynecologic, Surgeries, Palliative Care, Acupuncture
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston - MA
Confused about diagnosis
by Carolscrw, Apr 04, 2007 12:00AM
Hi
I am 41yrs old. Have 5 children. Take pretty good care of myself. Up until a little over a year ago, exercised regularly.
Over that period of time I had been experiencing low grade fever off and on, heart Arithmeas, weakness and shortness of breath. Never did anythign about it.. contributed it to Viral infections etc..
More recently I have developed lower back discomfort and pain.(not severe) also abdominal .. on and off. Thigh pains front and back continued fevers, (low grade, headaches, fatigue,(very weak in legs and back) neck pain, bloating ( I had thought it was from weight gain. but then realized I had been complaining that it felt like the same pressure I would feel toward the end of pregnancy.. I am not extremely bloated.. LOOK normal for my weight.
I was found to be anemic and had a lower white cell count. have been on iron and Vitamins for a few weeks now.. it has taken the edge off the fatigue.. but I am still not right.
Ultra sound showed a SMALL fibroid in upper uterus wall. OB says it shouldnt' really be cuasing my symptoms.. doesn't know what is.. but only read the report from the Ultrasound Tech and did not look at the images herself. (is this something standard?) I am pretty confident that I saw other spots other than the "mass" in question. But there was no mention of cysts on my ovaries.. just that they are normal size. I feel terrible and have these symptoms that won't get go away. OB refused to do a CA-125.. I feel she is being careless and didn't even ask me anythign about all the symptoms I stated. Should I seek a second opinion or just wait and see.
Also does anyone know how they can so easily determine if a mass is a fibroid or if it is cancer? they seem to think there is no chance of error here.
Thank you for listening
Carol
I am 41yrs old. Have 5 children. Take pretty good care of myself. Up until a little over a year ago, exercised regularly.
Over that period of time I had been experiencing low grade fever off and on, heart Arithmeas, weakness and shortness of breath. Never did anythign about it.. contributed it to Viral infections etc..
More recently I have developed lower back discomfort and pain.(not severe) also abdominal .. on and off. Thigh pains front and back continued fevers, (low grade, headaches, fatigue,(very weak in legs and back) neck pain, bloating ( I had thought it was from weight gain. but then realized I had been complaining that it felt like the same pressure I would feel toward the end of pregnancy.. I am not extremely bloated.. LOOK normal for my weight.
I was found to be anemic and had a lower white cell count. have been on iron and Vitamins for a few weeks now.. it has taken the edge off the fatigue.. but I am still not right.
Ultra sound showed a SMALL fibroid in upper uterus wall. OB says it shouldnt' really be cuasing my symptoms.. doesn't know what is.. but only read the report from the Ultrasound Tech and did not look at the images herself. (is this something standard?) I am pretty confident that I saw other spots other than the "mass" in question. But there was no mention of cysts on my ovaries.. just that they are normal size. I feel terrible and have these symptoms that won't get go away. OB refused to do a CA-125.. I feel she is being careless and didn't even ask me anythign about all the symptoms I stated. Should I seek a second opinion or just wait and see.
Also does anyone know how they can so easily determine if a mass is a fibroid or if it is cancer? they seem to think there is no chance of error here.
Thank you for listening
Carol
Doctor's Answer
by Annekathryn Goodman, M.D., Apr 05, 2007 12:00AM
, Apr 05, 2007 12:00AM
Dear Carol,
If you feel frustrated that you are not being heard by your doctor, a second opinion can be reassuring.
Your symptoms are 'nonspecific' and can be due to many things such as irritable bowel, thyroid disorders, and for sure, gyn issues.
You need a careful and thoughtful exam and an evaluation of these possibilities. perhaps the first place to start is with you PCP.
take care
If you feel frustrated that you are not being heard by your doctor, a second opinion can be reassuring.
Your symptoms are 'nonspecific' and can be due to many things such as irritable bowel, thyroid disorders, and for sure, gyn issues.
You need a careful and thoughtful exam and an evaluation of these possibilities. perhaps the first place to start is with you PCP.
take care
I have seen my PCP and will follow up next week.. I am feeling worse. and most of teh discomfort is in my abdomen.. heopefully I can get some answers,. the iron isn't bringin up my energy much at all. I am having trouble even standing at times.
thank you for your thoughts!
Carol