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Ovarian Cancer (Expert Forum)
Post Surgical Question - Mucinous Borderline Tumor TAH/BSO
Answered by
Annekathryn Goodman, M.D. - Gynecologic Cancers, Complex Gynecologic, Surgeries, Palliative Care, Acupuncture
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding ovarian cancer issues, such as: Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, Genetics, Hysterectomy,Immunotherapy, Ovarian Cancer Types, Radiation Therapy, Risk Factors, Screening, Staging, Surgery.
Post Surgical Question - Mucinous Borderline Tumor TAH/BSO
by Gail8247, Jun 21, 2008 09:25AM
I had a TAH/BSO 4/2/08 - they removed a a huge (basketball size) mucinous borderline tumor from my left ovary and they Staged it at 1a. I am following up every 3 months with a cat scan for 3 years, then every 6 months for 2 additional years, along with blood tests.
I had my first cat scan done 6/2 and it came back normal.
I am having concerns with constant fatigue. I realize it's only been a couple months since surgery, but should I be so tired all the time? Is this due to the TAH? or did they miss an invasive cell out of the huge tumor?
I did not get a second opinion for the Path slides, is it common for mistakes to be made? In reviewing the Path report it shows they took 26 slide samples of the tumor itself. Is this enough? I think I have in the back of my mind that the survival rate for invasive mucinous tumors is so low that I scared they made a mistake due to the fatigue.
In your professional opinion, should I seek a second Path group to evaluate the slides? If so how is this done?
I totally respect your opinion, I have posted to you before and you answered my questions completly, and in fact your postings helped my MD to explain things further to me.
Thank you in advance for your reply and opinion.
Gail
I had my first cat scan done 6/2 and it came back normal.
I am having concerns with constant fatigue. I realize it's only been a couple months since surgery, but should I be so tired all the time? Is this due to the TAH? or did they miss an invasive cell out of the huge tumor?
I did not get a second opinion for the Path slides, is it common for mistakes to be made? In reviewing the Path report it shows they took 26 slide samples of the tumor itself. Is this enough? I think I have in the back of my mind that the survival rate for invasive mucinous tumors is so low that I scared they made a mistake due to the fatigue.
In your professional opinion, should I seek a second Path group to evaluate the slides? If so how is this done?
I totally respect your opinion, I have posted to you before and you answered my questions completly, and in fact your postings helped my MD to explain things further to me.
Thank you in advance for your reply and opinion.
Gail
Doctor's Answer
by Annekathryn Goodman, M.D., Jun 29, 2008 06:15PM
, Jun 29, 2008 06:15PM
Dear Gail,
Fatigue is a very common experience after a big surgery. I do not totally understand it. part of it may be due to pain, the immense energy expended from having a surgery. Other aspects of fatigue that I have encountered with my patients include:
-anemia
-infection such as a bladder infection
-depression . I do believe there is an element of post traumatic stress syndrome experienced by people who have surgery
-hormonal changes such as surgical menopause
-sleep disorder due to biorhythm changes.
Some of this will just take time to get better.
Please ask your doctor about checking a blood count and a urine culture. I have had a rare patient in whom I have uncovered a thyroid problem after surgery. So if fatigue does not get better, I check thyroid function tests.
If you think there is an element of stress for you, consider some sessions with a counselor.
I think it unlikely to have these symptoms from an undiagnosed cancer. it sounds like your tumor was carefully evaluated. But sometimes, it is reassuring for you to get a second opinion. You can ask to have your slides sent to a big cancer center such as Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson, Johns Hopkins, Memorial Sloan Kettering, or Mass General Hospital. (There are many other great centers as well - ask your doctor) for a second opinion on the pathology
best wishes
Fatigue is a very common experience after a big surgery. I do not totally understand it. part of it may be due to pain, the immense energy expended from having a surgery. Other aspects of fatigue that I have encountered with my patients include:
-anemia
-infection such as a bladder infection
-depression . I do believe there is an element of post traumatic stress syndrome experienced by people who have surgery
-hormonal changes such as surgical menopause
-sleep disorder due to biorhythm changes.
Some of this will just take time to get better.
Please ask your doctor about checking a blood count and a urine culture. I have had a rare patient in whom I have uncovered a thyroid problem after surgery. So if fatigue does not get better, I check thyroid function tests.
If you think there is an element of stress for you, consider some sessions with a counselor.
I think it unlikely to have these symptoms from an undiagnosed cancer. it sounds like your tumor was carefully evaluated. But sometimes, it is reassuring for you to get a second opinion. You can ask to have your slides sent to a big cancer center such as Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson, Johns Hopkins, Memorial Sloan Kettering, or Mass General Hospital. (There are many other great centers as well - ask your doctor) for a second opinion on the pathology
best wishes
