Do I have Ovarian Cancer?!?!?

[Lyn2007]

My grandmother had five children, all of whom are deceased now from various types of cancers.. My mother being the oldest of the five, died in 2006 at the age of 64 from stage four ovarian cancer and intestinal blockage. My sister (46) and I (36) have been diligently getting regular pap spears and have had been keeping the watchful eye. Immediately after mom's death in 2006, I had a CA125 and an ultrasound for safe measures. I had a cyst on my right ovary and the doctor said that was normal for the ovaries to produce cysts which usually burst during menstruation. I was to return three months later for another ultrasound, but didn't go. I have recently had slight sensitivity and pressure in that area and being intimate with my husband has changed too due to discomfort. I had my annual exam and was sent for another ultrasound. When the dr. called me in to her office for the results, she explained it all to me, but ended with...I'd rather just do the surgery and take the ovary. The "cyst" was now 3cm, in my first ultrasound in 2006 it was 2cm. She said that it COULD be the same cyst or another one. She said that we COULD wait another three months and do another ultrasound to see if it goes away. She said that we COULD go in and do a laperoscopy (sp?) and SEE if its a fluid cyst or another type of cyst. She said that we COULD just assume that this is very likely to be the same cyst, and since I have no intention on having children that she would rather just take the ovary given my family's history. I go back to her in two weeks to have what she said was an "extended pap spear", a copo? I'm bringing my husband this time so he can ask questions and remember the things I couldn't. She also said that I had pre-cancerous cells on my cervix. Now, that seems like soooo many options and after it was all over I left her office saying to myself...did she just POLITELY tell me that I have ovarian cancer???

[SimplyStar]

If Jesus can forgive you so can we, I hope you learned your lesson well and think first before posting anything so obnoxious again.

[Shashi11962]

Hi, I don't think anything that your doctor said suggested ovarian cancer.  The majority of ovarian cysts are benign and you haven't mentioned anything that might indicate otherwise (complex, solid, septated, etc.)

As for the pre-cancerous cervical cells, I've been battling dysplasia for over two years and this past February was diagnosed with carcinoma in situ, cancer which hasn't yet spread. I had to have laser surgery for it in May, and just had my 6-month checkup, which was normal.  In additon, I have a 4-cm complex, solid ovarian cyst and am having both ovaries removed Dec. 19.  When it rains, it pours!

Hang in there, okay?  And as someone else on another board always says, "Don't waste a good panic!"

Hugs,

Lisa

[Mary 53]

You are spamming...copying and pasting your own posts from other threads...and, this is against the rules here on the forum...to say nothing of the fact that your comment is extremely inappropriate in this thread.

You are being reported to MedHelp.

M

[Angie_Lou]

I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer (stage III C) in late April but just started reading this site.  The ultra sound (which was done vaginally, too) I had in mid-March indicated a "bleeding" cyst on my right ovary and smaller cysts in my left ovary.  The follow-up was for another ultra-sound in 6 weeks.  However, I bloated till I looked like 7 months pregnant (only) two weeks after the first (and only) pelvic ultrasound and a CT was ordered in the following week, which showed quite a bit more activity.  My obgyn said after viewing the CT, "Until proven otherwise, we are going to call this Ovarian Cancer."  I'm very glad to hear your husband will be with you.  I had the support of my sister and friends with me on every visit.  We all asked questions and the doctors answered every one of them.  

Bottom line; Ask your obgyn if your cyst is suspicious enough to possibly indicate Ovarian Cancer.  If it is suspicious, then any surgery performed should be done by a Gyn-Oncologist surgeon, not just an ordinary obgyn.  If your obgyn is a good doctor, she/he will not be offended by this and will recommend one or two gyn-oncology surgeons he/she is affiliated with.  Consult with at least one gyn-onc before any surgery is scheduled.  It's your life and you need to be informed on what is the best for you.  My prays are with you.  Angie

[Jenflax]

I am surprised that they can't tell at all if it is fluid filled or solid or mixed or has septations...etc.  That would be one of my questions. I would suggest that you go to a oncologist and don't wait until the pap appointment. Always good to take charge and get a second opinion. My gyn had me go to an oncologist right away. Not sure why yours didn't refer you to one, especially given your history.

BTW, my gyn is doing my surgery next Wednesday and that seems to be the norm...but I do know that I could easily ask my oncologist to do it. If I were in your shoes I would go good onc for a second opinion and probably have him do the surgery as well. I guess that would just make me feel better that he has dealt solely with this type of thing.

Good luck. I will be thinking of you.



Also, my gyn said that based on the u/s she could see other things like.........not free fluid in the abdomen )which is associate with more advanced stages of cancer and things like that.

I

[Lyn2007]

My pap came back abnormal due to the pre-cancerous cells on my cervix, which she will fully examine in two weeks by doing a colposcopy. I had a CA125 on the same day as my pap..two weeks ago, and it came out "normal". The ultrasound is what came out abnormal. Is my regular obgyn NOT the same Dr. that should be doing the surgery and taking out the ovary?? She implied that she would do it. I trust her but if she's not supposed to do it then I will definitely get a second opinion, but I don't know if it IS cancer or not. Just REALLY  confused. I went to my normal family practictioner today for a sore throat/flu and explained the issue of the cyst with him and he said that it was better to do as my obgyn said and just take the whole ovary since the cyst was suspicious enough to cause concern. Thoughts?

[rmarie]

Totally agree with SimplyStar.  Given your family history I would go to the Gyn/Oncologist without a stop at Go.  You want to get the surgery right the first time, so start with the surgeon who should be doing it for you.  Good luck.

[SimplyStar]

Pap smears do not detect OVCA   it does detect cervical cancer however  with your family history I would ask for a trans vaginal ultra sound and a CA125  also I would get a referral to a  Gyn /Onocologist   a second opinion is always a smart move  some women with history of cancer like you opt to have a total hysterectomy and the ovaries out  Please let us know how you come out