How Long does it take for Ovarian Cancer to develop?

Hi- i have a quick question- don't know if there is any data on this.  I had a CAT scan last July that showed a small cyst on my left ovary, nothing on my right and a follow-up TV ultrasound last October that showed nothing on either ovary. Last week a TV ultrasound shows a 4 inch tumor on my right ovary.  Did they miss this in my previuos tests???  Could I go from nothing to advanced ovarian cancer in 6 months?  Making myself crazy waiting for the surgery appt to be scheduled....

Anyone out there over 40 have a large benign tumor and a high CA-125?  THANKS!!!

[suzsen]

The waiting is the worst!  I'm at that point myself.  I've developed a 5 cm cyst that wasn't there when I had a TVUltrasound 10 months ago.  Based on my symptoms, I think it showed up in the last month.  I'm working on scheduling surgery now, too! And since you asked, I'm 43.

Just because you have a cyst doesn't mean it's advance ovca. Most cysts are benign.  A high CA125 can also be caused by cysts or endometriosis.  

I don't know how fast ovarian cancer grows -- I don't think the doctors know either. Actually, it's really sad how little anyone seems to know about this freakin' disease!

Try to think positive.

[vixen28]

Hi there RAS! I am 41 and had a CA125 of 108 and a complex ovarian mass measuring 14 x 11 x 9cm. I was scared *%!@less to say the least! My tumour was benign!! And Tascha will be along shortly to tell you that 99% of all ovarian cysts are. YAY for us! An elevated CA125 can be caused by many things, particularly in women who are pre-menopausal. I know it's hard to relax and feel confident, but try to focus on the great statistics and know that I along with everyone else here will be praying for a happy outcome for you!

[Gatsby]

That is right, 99% of ovarian cysts are BENIGN!!!  And as the saying goes "anything that tickles the tummy" can cause an elevated CA125.  We are here for you and wait and listen and even be a shoulder to cry on.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed
~Tascha

[newlifegal]

I don't think anyone including the medical community can accurately say how long this disease takes to develop.  I will tell you in my case it spread like wildfire in the course of 2 months.  I had an ultrasound of my ovaries which showed what they thought were only small functional cysts; 2 months later a CT scan revealed large tumor masses on both ovaries and metastisis throughout the abdominal wall and rib cage.  Although it was very aggresive (aggressive) in my case, I know other women who have dealt with symptoms for years before coming up with a diagnosis.  I suppose it's like anything else; each case is very individual.

[brthbbs]

I think all cancers are pretty sneaky--that's what makes it so hard to diagnose--it seems that the cells sit around and wait sometimes and then express themselves.  I had nothng discernable and then suddenly a huge lump in my abdomen--diagnosed?  10 ovarian cysts, some as big as 1-cmx5cm!  Yeah, too bad we don't know more about ovaCA.

[Gatsby]

That is why ovca is called "The Whispering Desease"  It is very sneaky.  We have started an e-mail campaign to Oprah to try and get her to do a show on this.  Also, Clair's Boutique sells the teal bracelets and ribbons that are for ovca awareness.  We all have to shout about this and hopefully get more research and funding for this horrible cancer.
~Tascha

[MickeyVicki]

When I was going through my ordeal, I was told that, on average, women with ovca had suffered symptoms for approximately six months.  This statistic also indicated the cancer had been there for qhite a while prior to its discovery as it usually takes some time for cancers to grow to the point of causing symptoms.  But, as noted, that is not always the case.  I was also told by a retired surgical nurse that most of the rapidly growing ovarian masses she had encountered in surgery were found to be benign.  

[RAS49]

Thanks for all the support.  I just want to get this over with so I know what I am dealing with!  I'll keep you all posted about my surgery & results- I know I will need you guys to "talk" to!  Thanks- Rachael

[Gypsy35]

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed in November 05 that i had Ovarian Cancer Stage 3. The first Doctor i went to sent me for blood tests and an Ultra sound and nothing showed up, i went back to her about 2 weeks after to tell her that i was not very well and she said well don't know what it is and she thought it was something to do with my bowl, so she booked me in for Jan 06 to have my bowl looked at. I still wasn't very happy and still getting worse, so i went to another doc and in 3 weeks since going to the first doctor and the second doctor did the same tests on me and found and 10 1/2 cm Solid Mass on my Right Ovary, got into see the Specialist about 3 wks after seeing the second doctor and the next week i was in having my opp, at this time they all told me and they thought it was just a Cycsit untill i woke the next day to find out that not only my Right Ovary but my left Ovary and my Niph glands and 1 litre of fluid inside my Stomach was all Cancerist. so in the 4 weeks from seeing the second doctor and having my opp it had spread all over to my other ovary and Glands and the fluid. Yes all the doctors were shocked as my CA 125 level was only 87 and thats why they thought it was only a cysit because my level was not very high. Well i have just proved that isn't even right. so please every look out for your self as some Doctors won't. This is a Cancer Awareness Day i am holding to make people aware and raise money for Cancer Research have a look at my web site of where abouts it will be etc  http://amberrebbeccaforsyth.homestead.com/index.html

Take care all x x

[Dusty4255]

I was wondering, my wife had a 17cm cyst on her left ovary and when biopsied it was benign but 2 days later after they had removed cyst and ovary the pathologist changed his report to capsulated cancer cells in core of destroyed ovary ,can a pathologist do an onsite biopsy on the ovary like he did on cyst,reason i am asking is the fact that the gynacologist was told to remove all if any doubt,and that was jan8 2007 she passed away march 12th at age 49

[SimplyStar]

A frozen section  can be done while the patient is still under the anesthetic. It is about 99% correct and if cancer cells are present then the surgeon removes all the cancer he/she can find.  If they did a needle biopsy prior to surgery, this could have released cancer cells into the abdomen.  I am terribly sorry for your loss.   Did you have them do a post on your wife to find out the cause of death. I have a gut feeling that something went terribly wrong  here.

[Dusty4255]

Thank you for your response,i had went to lengths to question doctor after her first operation when they were removing the staples and said why didnt you take it all out and his firm reply was i would've treated my wife same way and there is only a 2% chance it will ever come back and i said 2% is too much risk when 0% can be attained by removal of all organs that are associated with the hysterectomy including the omentum.they did a uterine biopsy the following week and was found to have cancer and they shifted her to a larger facility with gynalogical oncologist staffed and when they reopened her up in feb she was completely engulfed in tumors even the omentum was engulfed,they did surgery and she was never able to take chemo as she was  weakened by second surgery

[jaxb]

Hi I'm just looking for a little
Advice I have been suffering constant
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An mri scan done dr mentioned a bulging disk although I am
Not entirely convinced that's what the pelvis pain is from.
I have a funny sensation in my tummy also feel sick at times I think I havee
Convinced myself I have some gynaelogical cancer I've had
A cone biopsy for abnormal cells before
Also my mother had cervical cancer any advice please!!!!