Symptoms of ovarian cancer

[Liz94]

Hi there,  I just have a question.  I had a hysterectomy (just uterus) 10 years ago. At the time, my doc told me that I had a lot of endometriosis on my ovaries and he wanted to take them as well. But, since I did not sign the consent form he left them in and lasered off what he could.  He told me that it would likely return in a few years.  Fast forward to the other day at my annual exam. New doctor said she felt a large mass on my left ovary and has ordered a vaginal sonogram a week from now.  She seemed very concerned and now I'm freaking out. I just got back to normal after a thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer 2 years ago and I just don't need this.  What are the signs of ovarian cancer?  I have lower back pain most of the time but it's on the right side not the left. And it's been a pretty consistent problem for years. I'm not bloated. I don't have any bladder issues.  Any chance this is nothing?

[Liz94]

Thanks so much for the help. I don't have any frequent urination or pain that I can pinpoint other than lower back pain that I've always had. I have started having night sweats lately and I'm only 42. But, with no uterus it's kinda hard to gage where I'm at hormonally. I just want to be well again and I don't want any more surgeries!  I'm tired of having body parts removed, I'm gonna be a shell!

[hopeshell]

Hi,

That was great advice in the post above but I want to add that if you face surgery be sure to see a gynecologic oncologst prior to surgery.  Here are a couple of links that have some good info on that:


http://oreilly.com/medical/news/ovarian_ten_things.html

http://www.wcn.org/findadoctor/

Unfortunately, even a benign mass can cause the same symptoms of ovarian cancer as can many other conditions.  The only way to know for sure is to surgically remove the mass.  If cancer has spread, then the scans can give good indicators that is is ovarian cancer because it will show enlarged nodes, or other masses in the pelvis, liver, etc.  But, for early stage, it is impossible to tell by the scan image if the mass is benign or malignant.  The general rule of thumb for "suspcious" is if the mass is complex and over 5cm.  My symptoms were frequent urination and pain.  Good luck with all and I hope it is benign!

[melissam8484]

Hey  -

I'm sure there is a chance it's nothing.  :-)   There are lots of risk factors to consider, but from what I understand most ovarian masses are not cancer.  The thing is that if you DID have ovarian cancer and it was metastatic then it's very important to address it ASAP.  So if your doctor finds any kind of ovarian mass she is right to be concerned and order tests right away.  It's a sign she is doing her job if she moves quickly to address an ovarian mass - but I wouldn't worry about it until you know you have something to worry about.  From what I understand there is a perfectly good chance it will be nothing (or at least not cancer - maybe something you can address in some other way).  

Best of luck with it!  I also hate waiting for tests, so I hear you about worrying...