I Want It All (Removed)

[MiMi4755]

Hi,

I am 53 years old and pre-menopausal.  My periods, up until about 6 months ago were regular but very heavy. Since then they have become irregular--miss one, have one every 2 weeks, spot for 2 weeks, etc.  I have sweats only at night.  

About 6 mos. ago I was told I had a cyst on my left ovary. The ob-gyn did not seem overly concerned, except that my sister had ovarian cancer.  I now had another ultrasound. The gyn said the ovary has septations. He was pausing as he spoke. He said I had 2 options. Repeat the ultrasound in 3 months or remove the ovary (in this case it was recommended remove both).  I asked if it was his wife, what he recommended. He said to remove them and that I should not delay. Then they would have a biopsy done. If it was more, we would deal with it then.

They did not do a CA-125 on me; however, I do have some slightly elevated liver functions and my regular doctor said a slight elevation of a serum protein electrophoresis, which they will recheck in 6 months.

I await the scheduling of my surgery. However, I ran into a classmate yesterday who is a nurse. She had a full hysterectomy, pretty much precautionary. They had talked about removing just her ovaries too. She suggested they take it all. Turns out she had early ovarian cancer.

Now I'm nervous. What are your thoughts on removal of more than the ovaries? Would the elevation of this protein be a factor here?

Thank you for your advice.

Signed,

Mumsie

[jlock]

My sister had a scan done to check her out after I had been diagnosed. They found a 3" mass,with a normal ca-125. They elected to have it removed. A gyn/onc was there as stand by to also give my sister a look over. They were able to remove the mass and it tested borderline. They removed her ovaries as she had had a hysterectomy 10 years earlier. The Onc did a cytology test and it was there that the cancer cells were seen.  She was staged a 1c. No other treatment was done and that was almost 4 years ago.  So please make sure there will be a Onc/gyn there if you find out it is cancer and no gyn/onc was in attendance you could possibly find yourself having another surgery for staging...and who want to have 2 surgeries in a row!!~  Good luck and keep us posted~~~Joanne

[momofsandj]

My sister died of ovarian cancer -- when they saw that I had something on one ovary I told the gyn/onc to go in with a melon scooper and take out anything I didn't need to live.  I was 42 and have two kids and was no way having more.  I see no benefit to keeping anything that can grow cancer -- have them take it all out and deal with the instant menopause as best as you can --- you might also want to be tested to see if you have a BRCA1 or 2 mutation while you are at it in case you have kids that you want to protect.  I had everything out and still have had recurrences that won't go away -- but at least everything is out that can be out
Good luck -- oh by the way, someone else posted the other day saying her uterus had been left it and when it came back it hit her uterus and her liver......better safe than sorry

Jeanne

[JC145]

I'd have it all removed and only by a gynecologist/oncologist.  Just my thoughts.  Good luck and keep us posted.  Judy

[Cindy809]

Hi Mumsie ... I am sorry that you are going through such worry.  Did you ask why your doctor hesitated?  Also, why would he have something done right away if it were his wife?  I don't have an answer to your question about your liver levels or protein.  Your CA125 if done might be elevated because you are post menopausal  and not very reliable when diagnosing OVCA without any other testing done.  If your doctor suspects that it might be cancer he should recommend that you see a gyn oncologist.  I'm not saying that you have cancer but a biopsy after the surgery is not a good idea!  The gyn oncologist will have a CT scan ordered and a CA125, an exam (explained later in the post).  You haven't mentioned any symtoms of OVCA.  That is good!  Chances are you do not have OVCA or it is at it's earliest stage and can be cured.  OVCA  is very rare.  If you need to have surgery, a gyn oncologist should perform it.  The reason is becasue they are qualified and have 3 more years of schooling.  If it is cancer the surgery will be different.  If your gyn takes out the ovaries and it is cancer, you would have to wait to recover from your first surgery and during that time your cancer could spread.  When dealing with OVCA the first surgery is very important!!!!  If it were me I'd have everything taken out.  That's just me and my opinion.  I'm not a doctor, just a lady with a lot of experience with OVCA.  Please I urge you to get a second opinion with a gyn oncologist who is qualified to diagnose you properly before any surgery!!!!!!  A biopsy afterwards is not the right steps when when dealing with OVCA especially  a gyn is doing the surgery.  The following are symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:
There are no obvious symptoms until the disease has advanced. Then the symptoms may include:

Vague but persistent gastrointestinal complaints such as gas, nausea, indigestion.
Frequency and/or urgency of urination.
Any unexplained change in bowel habits.
Abnormal postmenopausal bleeding.
Weight gain or loss.
Abdominal swelling and/or pain; bloating and/or a feeling of fullness.
Pain during intercourse.
If vague symptoms persist longer than 4-6 weeks, insist on a thorough rectovaginal examination.

A Rectovaginal pelvic examination is when the doctor simultaneously inserts one finger in the rectum and one in the vagina.
It is helpful to take a mild laxative or enema before the pelvic exam.
Have a comprehensive family history taken by a physician knowledgeable in the risks associated with ovarian cancer. 5% to 10% of ovarian cancer has a familial link.
Every woman should undergo a regular rectal and vaginal pelvic examination. If an irregularity of the ovary is found, alternatives to evaluation include transvaginal sonography and/or tumor markers. The most common tumor marker is a blood test called the CA-125.

[marie3B]

I would want everything removed.  A sister with ovarian cancer and a troublesome cyst warrant having it done.  I tested negative for the brca 1 & 2 genes, but still my ovca is hereditary.  I am now missing all of my parts after my surgery for late stage cancer.  I live just fine without the reproductive organs.  Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.  Let us know how things turn out.  Contact me anytime if you have a question. Marie