Aa
Blood Flow = Cancer?
I have been having repeat ultrasounds since March for a septated cyst in my ovary. Most recent u/s shows increased blood flow w/more septations and they appear to be thicker than previous u/s. I haven't gotten the report yet, but I have had way too many u/s done over the years. Apprx 7 years ago had my other ovary removed due to benign tumor. From what I've been reading there is an increased risk of it being cancerous w/increased blood flow especially w/in the septations. TIA for any information!
Thank you for your response and the great information! It is just very frustrating that this has been going on since March. My sister died from OVCA and my grandmother from breast cancer. I suppose I should get tested for the gene.
On the previous u/s report it stated that if the cyst persisted than follow up should be w/an MRI. I plan on insisting that w/my doctor. I have already started looking into GynOncs in the area.
I always get copies of all my bloodwork, scans and reports! I do trust doctors but only to a point.
I'm sorry to hear about your wife. Is she doing okay?
Many thanks again, Lauren
On the previous u/s report it stated that if the cyst persisted than follow up should be w/an MRI. I plan on insisting that w/my doctor. I have already started looking into GynOncs in the area.
I always get copies of all my bloodwork, scans and reports! I do trust doctors but only to a point.
I'm sorry to hear about your wife. Is she doing okay?
Many thanks again, Lauren
I am sorry you have to go threw this, it is very stressfull to have this hanging over your head. Keep in mind most cysts are benign!! Since this has been ongoing for you and your sonogram scan shows septated cyst warrants a very through work up to rule out any other potential issues. Yes it is concerning that you have increased septations and blood flow to the cyst/mass on your ovary, those are some of the indications for possible ovarian cancer among others. I am not saying you have cancer but it definitely warrants a complete evaluation.
My wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010 and I know what it is like to not know the next step will be. Here is an overview.
Tests like sonograms, Cat scans and MRI's along with blood tests like CA125, Inhibin A&B, MIS and CEA are just used as a guides for the Dr's to help assist in making a diagnoses(Dx).
The blood test CA-125 is a test used by Dr's as a guide to determine if you have the most common form of ovarian cancer, approximately 80% of all ovarian cancers are epitheal ovarian cancer which is cancer of the cells on the surface of your ovary. Please keep in mind that CA-125 can be elevated if your menstruating and some other cuases of inflamation..
There are other types of ovarian cancer that are hormone driven and depending which form a person has there will be excess symptoms of that specific hormone. This is the type my wife was Dx with granulosa cell ca. These group type are called sex cord -stromal tumors. These type of tumors have specific markes that the Dr's use just like ca-125 to aide in their dx of epitheal ovarian ca. They are Inhibin A&B and MIS. Please keep in mind if and only if you have a dx of these form of tumors there is a missconception that these tumors are always benign, which is completely false> They are just slow growing tumors as opposed to epitheal.
Unfortunately with any type of suspected ovarian mass/tumor/ suspicious cyst(s) surgery will be the only way for the Dr's too make a definitive Dx. It is NOT recommended to biopsy any ovarian mass/tumor/suspicious cyst as it can rupture and seed the pelvis with cancer cells if that what it turns out to be. Please make sure you have your blood drawn for the following blood tests,Inhibin A&B, CA125 and CEA so at the very least you have baseline blood work.
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Since there is suspicion based on your sonogram and your history I would immediately find a good GYN/Oncologist surgeon. I am not suggesting what you have is cancer but studies have shown that treatment of ovarian cancer by nongynecologic oncologists and by low volume surgeons is associated with suboptimal surgical management. I would reccomend going to a large tiertiary hopsital where they see large volumes of patients. This is not to make you worry even more but to make sure that the Dr who treats you has vast experience with diagnosing and treating various types of GYN / Onc issues if that is what it turns out to be. If the Dr wants to remove the cyst/mass via laprascopic procedure PLEASE make sure they have much experience with removing these INTACT! All too often I read posts from patients who say their Dr thought it was a cyst and removed it haphazardly causing a rupture and seeding of the pelvis with cancer cells, only to be found on pathology post removal.
******************************************************************************************************
Next: From experience I would be asking for an MRI of the abdomen/pelvis ,MRI's are very precise when read by a Radiologist that specializes in GYN/ONC, My wife went to a radiology practice that does all types of MRI's and the Radiologist read her MRI as a fibroid. I then took her to Sloan Kettering in NYC to see a GYN/ONC surgeon Dr Carol Brown who had the MRI repeated by a GYN/ONC Radiologist who called her DX to the tee which was confirmed after surgery.
As for having both ovaries removed is a decision you will have to make obviously prior to surgery. My wife opted to remove both as she did not ever want to have to worry about the "other one". Now of course she was in instant total menopause or "medical menopause"
The best advice you see all over these posts is you have to be your own advocate, be aggresive and stay on top of your phycicians. Get copies of all your tests/results. Post with any other questions you have this site has some very knowledgeable people on it. I wish you all the best
Kevin
.
My wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010 and I know what it is like to not know the next step will be. Here is an overview.
Tests like sonograms, Cat scans and MRI's along with blood tests like CA125, Inhibin A&B, MIS and CEA are just used as a guides for the Dr's to help assist in making a diagnoses(Dx).
The blood test CA-125 is a test used by Dr's as a guide to determine if you have the most common form of ovarian cancer, approximately 80% of all ovarian cancers are epitheal ovarian cancer which is cancer of the cells on the surface of your ovary. Please keep in mind that CA-125 can be elevated if your menstruating and some other cuases of inflamation..
There are other types of ovarian cancer that are hormone driven and depending which form a person has there will be excess symptoms of that specific hormone. This is the type my wife was Dx with granulosa cell ca. These group type are called sex cord -stromal tumors. These type of tumors have specific markes that the Dr's use just like ca-125 to aide in their dx of epitheal ovarian ca. They are Inhibin A&B and MIS. Please keep in mind if and only if you have a dx of these form of tumors there is a missconception that these tumors are always benign, which is completely false> They are just slow growing tumors as opposed to epitheal.
Unfortunately with any type of suspected ovarian mass/tumor/ suspicious cyst(s) surgery will be the only way for the Dr's too make a definitive Dx. It is NOT recommended to biopsy any ovarian mass/tumor/suspicious cyst as it can rupture and seed the pelvis with cancer cells if that what it turns out to be. Please make sure you have your blood drawn for the following blood tests,Inhibin A&B, CA125 and CEA so at the very least you have baseline blood work.
************************************************************************************************
Since there is suspicion based on your sonogram and your history I would immediately find a good GYN/Oncologist surgeon. I am not suggesting what you have is cancer but studies have shown that treatment of ovarian cancer by nongynecologic oncologists and by low volume surgeons is associated with suboptimal surgical management. I would reccomend going to a large tiertiary hopsital where they see large volumes of patients. This is not to make you worry even more but to make sure that the Dr who treats you has vast experience with diagnosing and treating various types of GYN / Onc issues if that is what it turns out to be. If the Dr wants to remove the cyst/mass via laprascopic procedure PLEASE make sure they have much experience with removing these INTACT! All too often I read posts from patients who say their Dr thought it was a cyst and removed it haphazardly causing a rupture and seeding of the pelvis with cancer cells, only to be found on pathology post removal.
******************************************************************************************************
Next: From experience I would be asking for an MRI of the abdomen/pelvis ,MRI's are very precise when read by a Radiologist that specializes in GYN/ONC, My wife went to a radiology practice that does all types of MRI's and the Radiologist read her MRI as a fibroid. I then took her to Sloan Kettering in NYC to see a GYN/ONC surgeon Dr Carol Brown who had the MRI repeated by a GYN/ONC Radiologist who called her DX to the tee which was confirmed after surgery.
As for having both ovaries removed is a decision you will have to make obviously prior to surgery. My wife opted to remove both as she did not ever want to have to worry about the "other one". Now of course she was in instant total menopause or "medical menopause"
The best advice you see all over these posts is you have to be your own advocate, be aggresive and stay on top of your phycicians. Get copies of all your tests/results. Post with any other questions you have this site has some very knowledgeable people on it. I wish you all the best
Kevin
.
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