Risk Factors

[Rets]

I'm 53 yrs. old 5'7 147 lbs white, of Northern Italian Descent, no children.
I had Malignant Melanoma left back 1981,breast cancer left masectomy1994, thyroid cancer, 2005.
Graves Disease appeared in 2000-followed by RA in 2001. Once the thyroid was fully removed I became my old self.
RA subsided, and back at the gym-eating low fat diet.  Two months ago I started to experience stomach bloating,vomiting,gas attacks,and my urination and bowel movements changed radically. 8/25/07 to ER for dehydration. 9/5/07 checkedinto to hospital for 3 days w/terrible abdominal pain. Had seen Gastroenterologist 8/17/07. Endoscopy showed nothing in GI Tract. Have been sustaining myself on 1 liter Pedialyte a day,jello pudding, eggs,juice,mashed potatoes.Continue to take Regaln to keep from vomitting . Endo. did all tests and it is not that.
Recalled Gyno yesterday and today she will perform CA-125-having Pet Scan on 10/3/07 due to other problems arising.
Trans-vaginal ultrasound on 10/8/08. Additionally, RA is creeping back 15.5 RA Marker, have burning in throat w/
intermitant hoarseness and coughing, and now have a yeast infection. Taking Difluxcan.
With my Genetics what are my chances for Ovarian Cancer?  The fact that the symptoms became full blown within the
last 2 months does this signal a stage 1 situation if it is that?  What are the normal numbers for CA-125 marker?
Will Pet Scan show beginning stages of Ovarian Cancer? Thanking you in advance.
Loretta

[Rets]

Dear Pam,
The only reason I can get Pet Scans is because I've had 3 seperate cancers at ages 25, 40, & 50.
I have ongoing  tumors or cysts in kidneys, liver, knee-that they watch.
Thanks for the invite, but I could barely get to Gyno's office this morning.
Oh, and it turns out that in addition to the yeast infection I also have urinal tract infection-see what I mean?
Good Luck with the walk!
Loretta

[nyc lady]

The good thing is that  your doctor is doing all the tests possible to see what is going on.  Pet Scan are usually not protocol for OvCa and are usually difficult to get the insurance companies to approve them.  When you were in the ER back in August they didn't do a CT Scan?  That would have showed any cysts on your ovaries.  

The symptoms of OvCa are the same symptoms regardless of the stage.  There is no way of knowing the stage by the length of time that the symptoms of occurred.

Let's hope that this time around your body is kind to you and you will be spared!!!!

If you can get out to Long Island this weekend, we are having our first annual walk for Ovarian Cancer Awareness at Cedar Creek Park, Sunday - at about 12noon.

Please let us know how all the tests go and if you have any other questions....I know that someone will answer them!!!!
Pam

[Rets]

I'm in NYC as well.   Transvaginal app't. is October 8th.  Pet Scan October 3rd.
And by the way, it seems with my body the rarer things are the more I get them.
I am genetically predisposed

[nyc lady]

The only way to diagnosis Ovarian Cancer is thru biopsy.  They cannot stage the disease with out doing exploratory surgery to see if there is a spread.  

What was the result of the transvaginal?  Are there any cysts on your ovaries?

Ovarian Cancer is a relatively rare disease.  Your risk would be slightly increased due to your history of cancer.  Have you thought of BRAC testing?  If you test positive, then your risk factor will increase to about a 40 percent chance of being dx'd with OvCa.