Ovarian cyst or ovarian cancer?

[Kristalmk]

Hello... I am 31 and after almost 2 weeks of dull right abdominal pain with lower back pain that radiates to my thigh, I went to see a GP. The Dr told me that I most likely have sciatica and gave medrol dose pack. In the mean time I scheduled an appointment with an obgyn since my last one was 2 years ago and everything was normal, including the pap smear.
My period has always been normal but always with some pre-menstrual cramps. I have always felt pain on my right ovary during ovulation as well.
I am not from the US an as a visitor all I had to do is look for obgyn on internet. When the obgyn finally saw me, he did the pap smear and during the pelvic exam he said that he felt something on my right side where I was pointing the pain coming from. I asked for ultrasound as well. He said that my uterus looked normal, he could NOT find my left ovary and he said that my right ovary is enlarged and it has a cyst or"something" were his words with a size of 2.5cm (I think, since I was terrified I don't even remember right), I also think he said that the right ovary was enlarged to 6.5cm by 11? Not sure, I will ask for my results tomorrow. Between the ultrasound and talking on the phone while he is examining me he first said that we will just take this ovary out, then he said he wants me to do CA125, which from everything I read is not very accurate. I am terrified and in complete panic.
I asked why this test, he just said because he wanted to see if it is cancer, even though the chances are low. I do not have family history of cancer, nor have ever had any issues. Please help and advise what should be my next step? I did take the blood test and the results will be back in one week. He also said that he rarely does ultrasound and that he wants to go and talk to another doctor and show him my ultrasound result... :(((

[Kristalmk]

Thanks Gail.. The biggest problem is that I don't know. He did not bother to explain to me. All he said that there is a cyst and earged ovary and test it for CA125. And left of course.. I wish he would tell me more.. I am terrified of course.. I am in process of planning a family and now this happened.. :((

[gah_70]

First and foremost, it is completely normal to be in panic mode.  This is new territory for you, and they all use big words and give you just enough information to make you look like a deer in headlights.  

You are right that a CA 125 is not very accurate, and CANNOT diagnose ovarian cancer.  It is used one of the tools, however, to give your doc more guidance in how to proceed.  If it is elevated, it still doesn't mean cancer.  Even a benign mass (or even a resipratory illness) will raise a CA 125.  One of my doctors once told me if you shook HIM up and down, then tested HIS CA 125, it would probably be elevated.  But, it might spur him to schedule a CT scan for a better look.

If you read through some of the previous posts, you'll notice a common theme in them.  That is, if there is even the slightest possibility cancer is there, then please see a Gynecological Oncologist. They are specially trained to deal with cancer of the female reproductive system and can perform optimal debuking in surgery (which is remove all visible traces of cancer from the mass to the tissues surrounding it).  I don't say that to scare you even more, I just want you to be aware there is a specialist out there who can give you the best chance at getting it done correctly.  

Not sure I gave you any answers, but I do hope you get the answers you need from your doctor and you can get this process going as quickly as possible.  Good luck to you, and come back and let us know what you find out.

Gail