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Mass found postpartum...benign or malignant?
I just gave birth two a healthy baby girl a two months ago by c-section. I can remember having pain in my lower abdomen, since having the c-section. Its possible I could have had pain in the same area while I was pregnant, but I may have dismissed it as normal pregnancy discomfort. During have hospital stay I also recall a nurse feeling my abdomen to see how my uterus was descending and she felt the same area and I raised up, because a felt pain.
My first postpartum menstrual cycle was painful, because the pain in my lower abdomen persisted; however, I just chalked it up to cramps or pain from having a c-section. The dull pain in my lower abdomen lingered, but usually was felt when I would use the bathroom. Last Wednesday (two months postpartum)I had my first ob/gyn checkup since having the baby. The Nurse Practioner felt my abdomen and noticed my uterus was still high considering how long it had been since childbirth. She felt around my abdomen and when she felt my lower abdomen I told her I had been having pain there. She was concerned and scheduled for me to have a CT scan done.
Last Friday, I had the CT scan done. That same afternoon the NP called me back and informed me that a mass was found that was 10cmx14cm (she said the size of a softball)near my ovaries. My doctor is to return to office Monday and the NP is going to tell my doctor about the mass and see what he thinks. I've been scheduled for a ultrasound this coming Wednesday.
As of read more and more about masses found near or on the ovaries and the symptoms of ovarian cancer (bloated,abdomen looks as if I'm still pregnant). I fear that it could very well be what I have. I know that a biopsy is the only sure way to know if the mass is benign or malignant; however, can they make an educated guess by the looking at the ultrasound, since the ultrasounds shows the consistency of the mass?
Any feedback appreciated. Thanks:)
My first postpartum menstrual cycle was painful, because the pain in my lower abdomen persisted; however, I just chalked it up to cramps or pain from having a c-section. The dull pain in my lower abdomen lingered, but usually was felt when I would use the bathroom. Last Wednesday (two months postpartum)I had my first ob/gyn checkup since having the baby. The Nurse Practioner felt my abdomen and noticed my uterus was still high considering how long it had been since childbirth. She felt around my abdomen and when she felt my lower abdomen I told her I had been having pain there. She was concerned and scheduled for me to have a CT scan done.
Last Friday, I had the CT scan done. That same afternoon the NP called me back and informed me that a mass was found that was 10cmx14cm (she said the size of a softball)near my ovaries. My doctor is to return to office Monday and the NP is going to tell my doctor about the mass and see what he thinks. I've been scheduled for a ultrasound this coming Wednesday.
As of read more and more about masses found near or on the ovaries and the symptoms of ovarian cancer (bloated,abdomen looks as if I'm still pregnant). I fear that it could very well be what I have. I know that a biopsy is the only sure way to know if the mass is benign or malignant; however, can they make an educated guess by the looking at the ultrasound, since the ultrasounds shows the consistency of the mass?
Any feedback appreciated. Thanks:)
It never hurts to get a 2nd opinion. I have been cut open twice. If they remove an ovary, regardless of it being laproscopic or not, the recoup time is close to the same, about 6 weeks. Anytime they remove an organ, it will take time to recover...and healing externally does not mean that you are healed internally. You will need help around the house as you will be restricted to lifting and doing day to day chores.
Good luck...let us know how it goes...and yes, your health does come first especially with two littles ones to take care of...they need their Mommy!!!!
Good luck...let us know how it goes...and yes, your health does come first especially with two littles ones to take care of...they need their Mommy!!!!
I had my ultrasound done yesterday. The mass is now 12cmx18cm. It is fluid-filled. The doctor said that it is either a fluid accumulation from after I had the c-section or it is an ovarian cyst, but he would not know until they did surgery. He did say that if it is an ovarian cyst that I would probably lose the ovary too. That's fine if it comes to do that, because I told him I already have two children so if I have to lose an ovary I will not be devastated.
The bad news is that because of its size it cannot be removed laporscopically (sp?). He said he will have to make a vertical incision down my abdomen. At this point I'm wondering should I get a second opinion or just go along with his plan of treatment and brace myself. I trust his judgement as a doctor, but I was really counting on this being removed laporscopically; therefore, having a shorter recovery time.
I'm a single mom and I just come back to work only 3 weeks ago from having my baby by c-section. Now I'm looking at being cut on again and I'm going to be off of work again.
I know my health comes before that, but financially its going to be pretty rough.
The bad news is that because of its size it cannot be removed laporscopically (sp?). He said he will have to make a vertical incision down my abdomen. At this point I'm wondering should I get a second opinion or just go along with his plan of treatment and brace myself. I trust his judgement as a doctor, but I was really counting on this being removed laporscopically; therefore, having a shorter recovery time.
I'm a single mom and I just come back to work only 3 weeks ago from having my baby by c-section. Now I'm looking at being cut on again and I'm going to be off of work again.
I know my health comes before that, but financially its going to be pretty rough.
The mass is near your ovaries, according to the CT, not on your ovaries, correct. You just had a C section 2 months ago and the pain has been there since, it could be an infection, it does not have to be a cyst or malignant. Wait for you Dr. and the ultra sound, it is more conclusive. The body walls off foreign areas and may look like a mass.
How scary is it to have found this cyst? Now take a deep breath and try really hard not to panic. Most ovarian cysts are benign...and by most, that is well over 95 percent.
Your paternal grandmother having OvCa does not increase your risk....it is only first line relatives, that being mother, sister. Also, the genetic risk for OvCa is less then 10 percent.
It is great that the NP and doctor are being so proactive. Hopefully they will be able to remove the cyst laproscopically cutting the healing time down. However if they have to remove the ovary, the healing time is approximately 6 weeks...that means no lifting, shoving or working.
Let us know how it goes!!!
Pam
Your paternal grandmother having OvCa does not increase your risk....it is only first line relatives, that being mother, sister. Also, the genetic risk for OvCa is less then 10 percent.
It is great that the NP and doctor are being so proactive. Hopefully they will be able to remove the cyst laproscopically cutting the healing time down. However if they have to remove the ovary, the healing time is approximately 6 weeks...that means no lifting, shoving or working.
Let us know how it goes!!!
Pam
I forgot to mention in my previous post that my paternal grandmother has had ovarian cancer before. Also, as large at this mass is there's no doubt that it will have to be surgically removed. That said, how do they remove it and what is the recovery time from the surgery?
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