Ovarian Mass on Left Ovary

[Ashlee123]

I went to the emergency room last week with pain in my lower abdomen and they found an ovarian mass about the size of a tennis ball on my left ovary.  I got into a gynecologist and she scheduled me for surgery to remove the tumor April 1st.  She also took blood work to look for tumor markers and said that if there were any tumor markers she would not take the mass and would send me to a gynecologist/oncologist.  The blood work came back fine but I am wondering if I should still see an oncologist.  Does anybody know what an oncologist might do differently than just a regular gynecologist would???  I am just looking for another opinion I guess because I know that the blood work being fine does not guarantee that it's not cancer.

[irean]

YES get to a gyn/onc. A Dr. specialized in this area quite often performs other techniques when operating ( i.e.peri wash). He or she will have experience and knowledge to treat you.
Good luck God Bless

[SuperKim]

Hi Ashly,

If you can get in with a gyn/onc I would reccommend it. I was going in for a hysterectomy in Dec. All my blood work was normal. The gyn found ovarian cancer while I was on the table. He called for an Oncologist to assist, but no one was available. The ovary actually errupted while he was removing it. He told me that if he had known it was cancer, he would have proceded differently. He got me in with a very good oncologist who proceded to do a laparoscopy and stage me. It's always better to err on the side of caution.
Good luck and hang tough.
SuperKim

[silver&gold]

Hi,
An gyn oncologist has a few years more experience than a gynaecologist and so would be more experienced if a cancer was found to be present in surgery. The blood work if its a ca125 test is not always accurate in determining if cancer is present but is more useful in conjuction with other tests such as scans . The ca125 blood test is more useful in women already diagnosed with ovarian cancer as its rise may indicate a reccurance.
Best Wishes Angie

[hdryder]

I hope all goes well for you and that it isn't cancer. Definitely request a gyn/onclogist.I didn't even know that this type of Dr existed,but I am very thankful that my gyn had him on standby.My gyn and the gyn/onc really thought my cyst would be benign,but that wasn't the case. Most cysts are benign tho.My blood work was in normal range also.Wish you the best!

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Ashlee,
I hope all went well with your surgery. Please let us know how things went.
best wishes