Frightened

[Janabelleca]

I have had my 3rd ultrasound in 6 months.  This is the first time it has read like this: Complex partially cystic partially solid left adnexal mass with internal vascularity.  This is suspiscious for neoplasm.  Septated cystic lesion in the right adnexa with relatively thick septations containing equivocal colorflow.  This is also suspiscious for possible neoplasm.  
Is this ovarian cancer?
I am very frightened

[kicker11]

i am scared too.. this week I found out my CA125 numbe is 36..   I had a ultrasound done in Dec..  showed a cyst on my right ovary (didn't know back then about my CA125 number)..  then I had another US.. and it was gone, but now have a cyst on my left ovary, other side.   After that test had my blood work done and CA125 showed 36.   Scared now..  had more blood work and will find out if that 36 has gone down.. also will have another US in the next weeks.
What should I do?  If the cyst is still there and the number is still elevated .. should I have ovary removed.. or a full hysterectomy?  I have had stomach issues the past months, but thought it was colon related..  stool changes also.   I am 44, still get my  period..  and very scared.  I want my  health back :)..  Thanks everyone..

[kcd86]

Unfortunatley you wont know until pathology reports come back. A good thing is that it is a small lesion.
Good Luck

[Janabelleca]

The lession is 3.9 x 3.6 x 2.7 cm.in Jan.; 2.3 x 2.2 cm. in September; 3.3 x 2.9 x 2.8 in June.  My CA-125 readings have been as follows:  56 ; 50; 78 and now 35
I see the Gyno on the 5th.
I know they will be taking them out... I just want someone to tell me I will be fine.

[kcd86]

I am sorry you have to go threw this, it is very stressfull to have this hanging over your head.  Keep in mind most cysts are benign!!
Since this has been ongoing for you and your sonogram scan shows septated cyst warrants a very through work up to rule out any other potential issues. Yes it is concerning that you have increased septations and blood flow(vascular) to the cyst/mass on your ovary, those are some of the indications for possible ovarian cancer among others. I am not saying you have cancer but it definitely warrants a complete evaluation.
My wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010 and I know what it is like to not know the next step will be. Here is an overview.
Tests like sonograms, Cat scans and MRI's along with blood tests like CA125, Inhibin A&B, MIS and CEA are just used as a guides for the Dr's to help assist in making a diagnoses(Dx).
The blood test CA-125 is a test used by Dr's as a guide to determine if you have the most common form of ovarian cancer, approximately 80% of all ovarian cancers are epitheal ovarian cancer which is cancer of the cells on the surface of your ovary. Please keep in mind that CA-125 can be elevated if your menstruating and some other cuases of inflamation..
There are other types of ovarian cancer that are hormone driven and depending which form a person has there will be excess symptoms of that specific hormone, i.e. excessive bleeding from increased estogen production...These group type are called sex cord -stromal tumors. These type of tumors have specific markes that the Dr's use just like ca-125 to aide in their dx of epitheal ovarian ca. They are Inhibin A&B and MIS. Please keep in mind if and only if you have a dx of these form of tumors there is a missconception that these tumors are always benign, which is completely false> They are just slow growing tumors as opposed to epitheal.

Unfortunately with any type of suspected ovarian mass/tumor/ suspicious cyst(s) surgery will be the only way for the Dr's too make a definitive Dx. It is NOT recommended to biopsy any ovarian mass/tumor/suspicious cyst as it can rupture and seed the pelvis with cancer cells if that what it turns out to be.  Please make sure you have your blood drawn for the following blood tests,Inhibin A&B, CA125 and CEA so at the very least you have baseline blood work.
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Since there is suspicion based on your sonogram and your history I would immediately find a good GYN/Oncologist surgeon. I am not suggesting what you have is cancer but studies have shown that treatment of ovarian cancer by nongynecologic oncologists and by low volume surgeons is associated with suboptimal surgical management. I would reccomend going to a large tiertiary hopsital where they see large volumes of patients.  This is not to make you worry even more but to make sure that the Dr who treats you has vast experience with diagnosing and treating various types of GYN / Onc issues if that is what it turns out to be. If the Dr wants to remove the cyst/mass via laprascopic procedure PLEASE make sure they have much experience with removing these INTACT! All too often I read posts from patients who say their Dr thought it was a cyst and removed it haphazardly causing a rupture and seeding of the pelvis with cancer cells, only to be found on pathology post removal.
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Next: From experience I would be asking for an MRI of the abdomen/pelvis ,MRI's are very precise when read by a Radiologist that specializes in GYN/ONC, My wife went to a radiology practice that does all types of MRI's and the Radiologist read her MRI as a fibroid. I then took her to Sloan Kettering in NYC to see a GYN/ONC surgeon Dr Carol Brown who had the MRI repeated by a GYN/ONC Radiologist who called her DX to the tee which was confirmed after surgery.
Your age has nothing to do with wether to appropriately diagnose or biopsy any suspicious cyst/mass/tumor. I would be concerned if I were you that s/he wanted to biopsy the area of concern.
The best advice you see all over these posts is you have to be your own advocate, be aggresive and stay on top of your phycicians. Get copies of all your tests/results. Post with any other questions you have this site has some very knowledgeable people on it. I wish you all the best
Kevin
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[Jane39]

It can be very scary reading reports.  Have you been able to discuss this with your doctor?  How large is the mass?  A neoplasm is an abnormal growth of tissue, malignant and benign, but it is suspiscious, so please make sure you are consulting a gyn/oncologist.  

We know it's a very scary, there are alot of women here for support, take one thing at a time.  Please keep us updated.