Just some general basic questions I have please - mass being surgically removed soon

[ruby-jay]

Hello there
My question may sound silly but does the size of the mass detected give any sort of indication as to its likelihood to be cancer or the cancerous stage it may be at? My 'mass' is 3 cms - complex cyst - 'adenoma vs adenocarcinoma' is the diagnosis by the ultrasound. I note that many people talk of much larger cysts/masses - but is there any correlation between the size of it and its likelihood for cancer?  Does a 'cancer' look different to other masses - mine apparently has 4 nodules or hard bits in it.  Does that mean anything to anybody?
Also - this is all so new to me - what about the 'free fluid' business in the pelvis area - the report I have says there is none detected but what does that indicate? What if there was some? What 'fluid' are they talking about?
I would appreciate anybody who has some knowledge offering me some insight. I am totally ignorant and would prefer to be better informed before my surgery so at least I can work out what's going on and what to ASK.
What should I ask the gyn oncologist - I am seeing him in two days.  Will my surgery be done quickly do you think - should I insist on having it quickly?
My gyn said they would take the whole ovary regardelss - and then some if there's any cancer; is this usual?
Finally - thank you for this forum.  I am very frightened by it all and your messages to each other have been comforting to me to read.
I know I have so many questions.  If anybody has time, I would love to hear from you.
Thank you. ruby-jay (Australia)

[freshair]

Sounds like a heavenly spot. We have a few others on this forum that are from Australia. I have always wanted to travel there and to New Zealand. Welcome to the site and I hope so much that you don't have any cancer. I think fluid can also be endometriosis. So glad you have a Gyn/Onc and you are on the forum researching.

I just watched a documentary on the box jelly fish in the Australian waters. Never knew about them and how life-threatening they are. And how I love to swim. Do you???

Best of luck.

[ruby-jay]

Thank you both so much for taking the time.  This forum is invaluable.  No matter what my outcome, I will be back to the forum to read and learn.  I aim in Victoria, Australia - in a semi-rural area.  I live with my husband two children (8 and 5), six ex-battery hens, cats and guinea pigs, amongst beautiful tall and numerous eucalyptus trees that sometimes have koalas in them.  Indeed, I even see a few kangaroos around and also some echidnas now and then (similar to your porcupine/ant eater).  Even though it is only about 1/2 hour drive to Melbourne (large city), we feel blessed to live in such wonderful surrounds and as I am a true nature/animal lover I am in my element here.  Thank you for making the connection with me - it means a lot.

[dian07]

Hello there....you have come to the right place and I hope you continue to talk and ask questions here.....no such thing as too many questions or silly questions so ask away....like Becky said...99% of cysts/tumors are benign....now, if yours isn't then you will come back to us and we will walk through this with you!  I too had cancer but caught it early.....I am very lucky.  The fact that your surgeon is a gyn/oncologist is wonderful!  You are definately getting off on the right foot.....again, as Becky said, a diagnosis can't be made until the surgery and then afterward a pathologist will stage the cyst/tumor and you will know just what is going on and what, if any, treatment is required.  Stay in touch, Ruby and know we are here for you.....by the way....where are you?
Peace.
dian

[Tybear]

Hi there! I can certainly appreciate all the questions prior to such an important surgery! No, there is no correlation between the size of a mass and whether or not it will be cancerous. You can have small masses that are cancer and huge masses that are benign, and vice versa. The only way to properly diagnose cancer is through surgery. If it were to be cancer, your Doctor would remove what he felt would be necessary to give you the best chance at survival. It all depends on whether or not it had spread and how far it has spread. The free fluid they are referring to (I believe) are acitites. It's a collection of fluid that can accumulate in the abdomen and I do believe it's seen more often in people with cancer, although I could be wrong - I have cancer, stage 3c, and I had no fluid in my abdomen. Everyone is different...
I hope I've answered some of your questions...I know what waiting for a surgery like this can feel like. You start imagining every possible scenario, and then your mind kind of goes to all the bad things you shouldn't even be worrying about! It's easier said then done, but try not to worry about all the what if's - whatever it turns out to be, you'll deal with it. Don't forget that the majority of ovarian masses are benign...I'm sure you'll be fine!
Take care,
Becky