Can a person be refered to a GYN/ONC without a dx of cancer?

[henning]

Why would I be refered to a GYN/ONC when I havent even been dx with cancer? I was refered by my primary, surgeon and gastro dr to see this dr. My understanding was the only reason I am being refered there is because they specialize in women who have problems, they dont deliver babies. My husband and I got into a agurment over what a oncologist is, he said cancer and i told him no they are specialist... not gyn/ob. I lost over 35lbs and the pain is unbelievable it feels like when I used to get a menstral cycle but 100 times that, I had a hysto back in the 80's when i was 26yrs old becuz of pre cancerous cells, I am 50yrs old . They did all the test gastro which came back neg. so they are sending me to this dr. My question is....can a person be refered to a gyn/onc without the dx of having OVC?

[henning]

Thank you all so much for your responses, I greatly appreciated the. I had my first appt with the gyn/onc. The examination was extremely painful and had to be given pain meds there. They ordered a CA test and a CT I go back this friday for the results. My dr. told me that the will not give up until they get to the bottom of thism which I am really grateful for. But she also told me that a small ovary would not cause the pain I am so they are checking this out than if nothing is wrong I will see a urologist (sp) which could be causing all the pain. I did explain I have no problem going to the bathroom, no pain or burning sensation. I do have a feeling I cant empty my bladder completely and since a few months ago I about 3-5 times during the night which she said is not a good thing. The pain doesnt go away at all anymore and I lost another 4lbs within a mater of 3-4 weeks. I just dont know what to think anymore.

[nyc lady]

A gyn/onco has 3 years more training in gynocological issues then an OB/GYN.  They treat many many many conditions that are not cancerous.  They are the experts.  It is not a matter of might or might not have cancer....GYN/Oncs often treat women with endo as well as other painful and delicate gyno conditions.  

[gls2824]

When my gyn found a large growth in my ovary, even though she wasn't certain what it was, she referred me to a gyn oc.  He gave me a list of what it could be but told me they wouldn't be able to tell for sure until the surgery.

You absolutely want to see a gyn oc.  An obgyn delivers babies.  A gynecologist usually doesn't.  a gynecologic oncologist deals with women who have or might have cancer.

[MinnieWM]

If there is the slightest suspicion that you might be dealing with cancer, you want a gyn/onc treating you.  I can't tell you the number of women who have had sub-optimal treatment because their initial treatment and/or surgeries was done by a gynecologist or general surgeon.

[kcd86]

I am an RN and in Jan/2010 my wife was Dx with granulosa Cell ovarian cancer. As Hope3053 said yes you can be reffered to a GYN/ONC and is the prudent thing to do when there is something suspicious on your ovary.
I am not saying this is cancer in any way but it warrants a complete and thorough work up.
You should expect your physician to do a series of tests like transvaginal sonograms(what did yours say), Cat scans and MRI's(preferable) along with blood tests like CA125, Inhibin A&B, MIS and CEA. These tests are just used as a guides for the Dr's to help assist in making a diagnoses(Dx).  Unfotunatley, with any suspicious ovarian mass, if this is what it turns out to be, surgery will be the only way to make definitive Dx via pathology.
It is NOT recommended to do a needle biopsy of any suspicious ovarian mass as it could potentially rupture the capsule and seed the pelvis with cancer cells, if that what it turns out to be.  Please make sure they drew your blood for the following blood tests,Inhibin A&B, CA125 and CEA so at the very least you have baseline blood work.
Since there is now some suspician I would immediately find a good GYN/Oncologist surgeon. 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 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 which should be read by a Radiologist that specializes in GYN/ONC they can be pretty precise. 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.
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. Also, get copies of ALL your medical records, you are entitled to them. Please re-post to this site with any other questions you may have as this site has some very knowledgeable people on it. I would be intersted in your seeing your sonogram/Cat Scan/MRI results. I wish you all the best!
Kevin

[Hope3053]

Yes, you can be referred without a diagnosis.  I have just been referred as well.   I do not have any pain, but have a mildly elevated CA 125 and a fibrous area on my ovary that showed up in an MRI.

A gyn/onc is a cancer surgeon who specializes in gynecologic surgery.    A medical onc is the doctor who treats cancer after surgery for chemo etc.
An oncologist is a cancer doctor.

You are often referred to a gyn/onc if there is any possibility of cancer because it is better to have surgery, if needed, done by them.    You could still have something else besides cancer.

Let's hope we are both OK