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Ovarian Cancer Community

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MedHelp Member's Question

Cat Scan to detect Ovarian Cancer

by fabs730, Jul 23, 2008 11:37PM
My mom had a cat scan recently and was told she had ovarian cancer, she was told she has to be operated on immediately. I didn't realize that a cat scan could confirm that, wouldn't there have to be a biopsy first?
Member Comments (13)

by Sunes, Jul 23, 2008 11:59PM
To: Fabs
I am so sorry to hear about your  Mom's troubles. I would seek second opinion immediately. Ask for Mom's CT images on CD  and keep them for your references.Yes,laparoscopic biopsy is needed to confirm if,  in fact   what they see is cancer!!!???
Hugs,Sunes.

by chelan3, Jul 24, 2008 01:49AM
If surgery is warrented, please have surgery with gyn-oncologist.  Good advice above to seek second opinion (again gyn-onc is best for 2nd opinion) and to keep copies of reports, etc.  

Hope first doc is wrong.
Take care.

by bohan54, Jul 24, 2008 09:58AM
My CT scan was enough for the docs to take immediate action as proposed for your mom.  They figured it was OVCA 3C and they were right.  They sent me to a gyn/onc who did my surgery.  Make sure she is referred to one, a regular surgeon or gyn is not as qualified.
Sharon B

by nyc lady, Jul 24, 2008 10:07AM
As much as we say that nothing is for certain without a biopsy, the doctors can tell when something is very wrong.

Everyone is giving you great advice....see a GYN/ONC and make certain that is who does the surgery.  They have 3  years addtional training over OB/GYNs and are the specialists in gynocological issues.

Best of luck to you and keep in touch.
Pam

by Jan214, Jul 24, 2008 02:25PM
Most people do think that you need a biopsy to tell about cancer, but that is just not true.  In some cases it can be iffy, but if her Dr has told her she has cancer than she does.  It is highly unlikely that any medical professional would tell someone that without knowing for sure.  It has happened on rare occasions, but not often.  My gyn referred me to an oncologist and he didn't need to order any more tests or anything as my gyn had already sent me for a TVUS and had done a CA125.  Actually, before my debulking surgery I had to have the surgery to put my chemo port and I know they would not have done that if they were not 100% sure it was cancer.
Have they referred her to a gyn/oncologist yet or is that the opinion you stated above?  Having a gynonc do the surgery is your mom's best chance of getting the best care possible.  They have 3 extra years of school.  
Good luck and please know that this is a great community for support for both the patients and the caregivers. Dolet us know how things go and do come back.  Being a caregiver is not easy and you will need some support yourself.
Jan

by Moirapaoletti, Jul 24, 2008 02:33PM
my mother has gone through two surgeries and chemos last year. At first the wanted to make a biopsy but ovarian cancer is not a defined tumor and even by biopsy, some cancer cells could spread around abdomen.
They guess it's a cancer from the shape and the way it has grown.
After surgery they analize the tumor and determine which kind of cells it's made of, which stage, which chemo......
A biopsy before could be a risk

Be confident and positive!!!!

a warm hug

Moira

by marie3B, Jul 24, 2008 02:42PM
My CT was enough to know it was cancer.  Biopsy and surgey were needed to know stage and tissue type.  It did not even take an expert to diagnose mine as cancer from even the trans vag ultra sound.  I saw it on the screen and knew for sure it was cancer and that there was alot of it.  I hope she does see a good gyn/onc and that things turn out well.  Marie

by momofsandj, Jul 25, 2008 09:16AM
I agree with everyone -- go see a GYN/ONC for the second opinion and the surgery -- if the CT was read correctly it is a better diagnostic tool than the CA125 and the ultrasound --- and depending on  how the mass is located and size etc, just doing a biopsy could end up breaking off some cells and leaving them loose which is not a good alternative -- she should see a GYN/ONC get everything removed and biopsied after the removal.  You decide what to do depending on those results.

by ireneo, Jul 25, 2008 11:13AM
We were recently told by my Dad's oncologist that CT scans will see lesions but they can't tell if they're malignant by that alone. They just did a PET scan yesterday and that can track down the cancerous areas. They started a glucose IV with some radioactive tracer in it. The onc said cancer loves sugar and the glucose/tracer will settle into the malignant areas and they can scan and see them that way. Anyone else heard of this?

by crecco, Jul 25, 2008 07:42PM
The others have given you excellent advice. If your mom had a CT scan there must have been a reason for them wanting the scan. And like Jan said, I am sure that her Dr would not tell her it was cancer if he was not sure. Please make sure that you make the next step be ssking the advice of a gyn/onc and if surgery is done, make sure that it is a gyn/onc who performs it.
I wish your mom the very best.
   Chris

by jlock, Jul 26, 2008 02:41PM
I was dx by Ct scan as well.  Then I was referred to a onc/gyn for the surgery. The surgery