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Unconfirmed Ovarian Cancer....help???

My doctor believes I have ovarian cancer. I have had a CT and confirmed a cyst or tumor 2.8 X 3.3 My blood work has been run and 1 is WAY OUT of normal. My DHEA is now at 2227, with max for me at 722. This level had gone up from begining at 894 to the current 2227 in 3 months. DR believes the tumor (not a cyst now) is leaking. I have pain and pressure and have been set to meet a ob specialist Tues. My DR just ran a CA-125 test and beleives it will come back off the charts as well. DR says she sees me in surgery within the week. I'm scared.

What do any of you think? What will happen in surgery? What is recovery like? Is this a day surgery and home the same day? I had already gone thru the LEEP for cervical cancer (8 lesions) in 10/2003.

Thanks for any help.....
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155056 tn?1333638688
I have never heard of a DHEA test being used as an indicator in ovarian cancer.

Easier said then done, but, you need to take a deep breath and try really hard not to panic.  You have yourself all worked up into having a disease that you have not been diagnosised with it...take it one step at a time.

The doctor you need to be seeing is a GYN/ONC...and I am not suggesting this because I think you have cancer I am suggesting it because they are the experts in all gynocological issues.  

The only way to diagnosis OvCa is thru a biopsy.  There have been many women that will tell their doctors diagnosised them incorrectly just by looking at CT Scan or Sonogram results.

Most ovarian cysts are benign and whether they are benign or not they can cause pain, they can leak and cause a whole bunch of problems.

Please let us know how it goes.
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158061 tn?1202678326
I didn't have any pain, I just lost bladder control.  Good thing I did, my routine check up was a month away.  As was stated on you above posting a GYN/ONC only deals with women's cancer, so they know what the surgery we need involve.  There is more research every day on cancer and only a specialist can keep up.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your reply. I'm not sure but I think the dr I'm going to see Tues is just a OBGYN. I will definately ask him.

Dont worry about giving me to much info, as I am the type who wants to know EVERY possibility up front. I hate surprises of this nature.

From what I understand DHEA is a test of the male and female hormone levels together. Now my testosterone is at 76, and my estrogen and pregesteron are at 2.4 and 2.7. The DHEA is a test of the androtestosterone (sp) and for a woman of my age (34) and my body type (I'm a personal trainer, and pretty fit) the level shouldnt be over 722. A man of my age and fitness level should not be over 850. My first test ran in at 894, then 3 weeks later it was 1124, then 3 weeks after that it was at 2227. They havebt run it again as of yet, my dr says there is no sence, we all know its higher yet.

I have been having shooting pains down the front of my thigh as well as up into my abdomen and lower left rib cage. As well as a discharge (sorry it thats offensive) but no infection. I am bloated and cramping as well. I'm on loratab right now for the pain and it helps.

I have never thought of anti-aniexity meds....but I have been having panic attacks and feel my heart race.

Any other info, wether it scazres me or not, itgreatly appriciated.

Thanks to all!!
Helpful - 0
158061 tn?1202678326
I have been in your shoes, and I started crying for a day and needed an anti-anxiety drug for a day.  I don't know anything about DHEA and it's relationship to cancer, I don't know if I ever had one drawn.  I did have a CA 125 and it was normal 14.5 (so not a good marker).  The ultra sound and increase in size was the confirmation of the diagnosis.  When they did not let me look at the screen, I knew it was not good.

Now for your questions,  I hope the Dr. you are seeing is a GYN Oncologist, you really need to have one, especially if they are saying it is cancer.  The initial surgery is very important to the survival of ovarian cancrer.  If they believe it is cancer it most like would be an open procedure, with removal of the uterus, ovaries and tubes.  the next part of the surgery is the debulking, which is removal of any tumor elsewhere and taking multiple biopsy's for staging.  You need to be staged to determine the extent of the disease.  

Lenght of time in the hospital varies with the extent of the surgery. If they find out it is not cancer, you will be out much quicker, that could be 23 hours.  If they have to do the whole thing the hospitalization will be anywhere from 3 to 5 days.

I hope I have not provided more than you wanted to know, I truly hope you are in the 99% that are benign.  Good luck.  
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