How fast does Ovarian Cancer normally spread

[spacecase]

I have been experiencing all of the "symptoms" of Ovarian cancer for a little under a year now. I have been to the Gastro docs and nobody can tell me what is wrong with me. I had a radical hysterectomy but they left my ovaries. I went to the Dr today and he wants to test me for Ovarian cancer but he said that for as long as I have had my symptoms, I wouldn't be alive if it were Ovarian Cancer. Is there any truth to that?

[Sharon1961]

I am having a pelvic cat with infusion tomorrow.  I have had swelling of my left leg for months.  Even though my husband is a Dr.  he  paid no attention to this.  I have gained 25 lbs in the past 7 months.  My left leg swells up to my knee.  Finally, I have a stress fracture in my left foot which made him and my Dr. look at it again.  My belly is huge (I have always been very thin).  I am posting this as a notice to myself and others.  I will get back to all of you after my cat scan.  Wish me luck!

[spacecase]

Thank you all for all of your help and support! I have a sonogram scheduled for next Tuesday. I am really nervous because of my family history and the fact that I I have quite a few of the possible symptoms. I am sure I am just worrying for nothing but it's better to be safe than sorry.

[Tybear]

I had a very slow growing cancer, and I asked my Dr why no one would have noticed it during my C-section 2 yrs prior. He said although it was slow growing, it may not have been cancerous at that point and simply resembled cysts (which I have had as long as I can remember and my type of cancer is derived from them). He said that a slow growing cancer can take years to develop. I was also stage 3c, but really didn't have any symptoms until March (noticed my hair falling out, of all things!) and was diagnosed in August. My diagnosis in August came only after I noticed a sharp pain in my bladder, and I had only had that about two weeks.

[Careylyn]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this.  According to my gyn/onc, one cannot compare to another woman, as far as how long it has been growing....sure would like to know, as I have been Lactose Intolerant for 29 years, whew!  She told me more than a few months at least... StageIIIC.  Talk about symptoms.  :(
     Plus, I was an exercise junky, right up to the day before my surgery last Aug 26.
     My prayers are with you.

[newlifegal]

It's hard to say when the disease begins because it is so insidious.  Based on my own experience, it was very aggressive with the ovarian tumors growing from 2 cm to 7.5 over the course of 2 months.  By that time, it had spread throughout my abdomen and ribcage (I was misdiagnosed; the small tumors were thought to be functional cysts).  So it is good that you are getting this checked out now.  Hopefully you won't be dealing with a cancer diagnosis.  Let us know how it goes.

Christa

[spacecase]

Did you have symptoms? I have had gastro problems, bladder problems, bloating, extreme fatigue, and weight loss for a year now and nobody can tell me what's wrong with me. My mom has 4th stage colon/rectal cancer and he told me that that puts me at a higher risk for ovarian cancer and that is the only reason he wants to check me.

[kathy o]

No, I had it for at least one or more years, now that I look back on it.. but when finally diagnosed 3rd stage..