20 cm solid mass on right Ovary - I'm only 18!

[Mosh17]

I just received the news today that I have a 20 cm solid mass on my right ovary. The gyno originally diagnosed it as being a subserosal fibroid on the top of my uterus before the MRI produced a much grimmer picture.

I am only eighteen years old. I know these are rare in my age group but I am SO AFRAID I have ovarian cancer. My mother was recently diagnosed with recurrent colon cancer and I do not want to be another burden for her stress.

I have been feeling around and I notice a lump on the top of my stomach. Not sure what it could be but I guess nothing because they would've told me with the MRI.

I really want to have children and I just need support and questions answered. Tomorrow I have blood tests taken and the oncologist specializing in ovarian cancer surgeries is seeing me Monday.  I am just so lost and afraid.

[Mosh17]

And on another note.. I know this doesn't have anything to do with my topic.. But I thought I would share promising news about my mother.

We are being told that she will most likely receive a liver resection for her cancer - which I am being told is very rare and has the highest cure rate. We're thrilled.

Anyway, things are looking up... I think. I don't know. Also, is it normal for my incision site to be irritated around the staples? Ugh!

[Mosh17]

Thank you. I am feeling pretty lucky.. The incision isn't even too bad, I get the staples out tomorrow! So thankful for this site.

[snrklz]

I'm so glad things are going better for you now!  I just read all of your posts.... How scary!  You are very fortunate you found it and took care of the problem.  

[Mosh17]

I am home from surgery. It went well but it was very painful - the surgeon said it was what they thought - an ovarian germ cell tumor. They removed that and 3 lymph nodes. He said that the surgery went great but I will need chemo as a precaution. The chemo will be 3 months long!

Apparently it grew 10 m by the time it was removed. Wow. But i do feel very skinny...

I am just hoping that I will be able to put all this behind me soon.

[Mosh17]

Thank you Pam. Lifting my spirits!

I will update you guys. So happy I found this site.

[nyc lady]

No. enlarged lymph nodes don't always mean cancer, could be an infection.

GL with the surgery.

[Mosh17]

Thanks guys. Just a question... Does lymph node enlargement always mean cancer?

[Jane39]

We will keep you in our prayers.  Please keep us posted!!

[Mosh17]

I guess I should update you all. I went to the Gyn/Oncologist today and he said my CA 125 was elevated (But I started my period the day before so I don't know if that is why....) and I have enlarged lymph nodes. He believes it could be a malignant germ cell tumor. However, thank God, he told me it is EXTREMELY curable and I will live an incredibly long life. He also said that he sees no reason why I cannot have children in the future.

There is still a possibility of the fact that it could be benign, but thankfully for me worst comes to worst I still have a long life to live. I just hope if I have to have chemo I will not lose all my hair!

The surgery is scheduled Friday. They are removing my right ovary and any lymph nodes that could be cancerous (Possibly.)

Please keep me in your prayers. xx

[Mosh17]

Thank you ladies. I am still very concerned.

The gyno originally thought this "subserosal fibroid" was on the top of my uterus. She even felt my uterus and felt the same mass that's in the top of the abdomen. Now they say the mass is in the right ovary. Then what could this mass be?! I am so afraid. Gyn

[Jane39]

Hey young lady, I know it's hard, but stay away from the computer.  I did the same thing when I learned I had a 28 cm mass, the computer draws you in and it's terrifying.  You are doing the right thing, seeing a gyn/oncolgist and getting the proper testing  And yes Pam is absolutely correct, due to the size, it has to come out and rightly so, who wants it there.  
One day at a time.  Take a breath and deal with one thing at a time.  Best wishes to you and please keep us updated!!

Jane

[Mosh17]

Thank you so much.
I appreciate the positive energy. I was this close to starting to go into that dark place and then I read your message. :)

I will continue to be hopeful and I will be posting everything in here as well.

It's just so much to take in.

[nyc lady]

Wow, no one can blame you for being scared....ovarian cancer is scary, and also very RARE.  

GYN/Oncologists, are not just experts on ovarian cancer, they are gynocolgical experts, they have 3 years additional training and do not concentrate on delivering babies.   GYN/Oncologists treat many non-cancerous issues and your doctor is 100 percent correct in sending you to the specialist.

As for tests, they will do a blood test, maybe a CT Scan, but, the only way to diagnosis ovarian cancer is through a biopsy.  

A cysts of that size will need to be removed, and they will most likely remove that ovary and tube, all you need is one good ovary to have a baby, it will take over the function of the other ovary, you will still get your period every month, etc.

Right now, concentrate on getting better and getting the tumor out of you.  Don't worry about cancer, until you are certain you have something to worry about.

I am sure that by pressing and pushing you can feel a lot of different lumps and bumps thorughout your whole body, we all can.  Try to stop looking, try to stay away from the computer, try to put it all out of your mind until you are certain there is something to worry about.

Let us know how it goes with the GYN/oncologist.

Pam

[Mosh17]

Just adding as well now I'm scared about the upper lump on my stomach. Would the gyno have told me if this was something?!

I am reading about ovarian cancer spreading to the upper abdomen... I feel hopeless already.

It is a hard lump, but my Aunt said it could be because of the large tumor pressing against it from the right side. I don't know. But I'm scared.