Ovarian cancer?

[chocolate40]

My mom has a 5" growth on her ovary with acites. She will be going for further testing in the days to come. Do you feel this could possibly be cancer, especially because of the acites present?

[crecco]

  I really cannot answer either. My cancer had spread and I have never had problems with ascities. It is my understanding that ascities is fluid released by the cancer itself.
  You have a lot of questions for her Dr. Before her next visit, you should both sit down together and make a list of all the questions that you have. And if possible, someone needs to go with her. A diagnosis of cancer is so overwhelming that it is very easy to miss much of what the Dr is saying. A second person there can be the second set of ears. Take notes if you need to.
  Marie is right, try to remain optimistic. There are many women out there who were diagnosed after their cancer has spread that are still here many years later. Her Dr should explain about the different stages and what they mean.
  And we are here for you to help out in any way that you can. If you have a question, ask it. No question is ever considered "dumb" or irrelevent.
      Chris

[marie3B]

I am not sure, but I think there can be ascites without metastasis.  Nothing can be known for sure until after the staging surgery and biopsy.  How did she find out it was cancer? Did they do a needle biopsy or are they just going by the appearance in a scan? Even if it has spread beyond the ovary there is reason for optimism.  A woman in my support group was diagnosed stage 3c and is now more than 3 years out from chemo and remains cancer free.  I will hope for your mom to get good news and the best of care.  Marie

[chocolate40]

My mom just found out that it is cancer. My question now is that with acites present, doesn't this usually mean that the cancer has spread?

[marie3B]

Too soon to know.  Further tests must include biopsy to know for sure.  I wish her the best.  Any surgery must be done by a gyn/oncologist to be safe.  Marie