Does my friend really have ovarian

[sgaddis44]

I have a friend girl who i have known for a while.  She told me she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 3.  But some of her symptoms seem weird.  She said she is spitting up blood and has nose bleeds ( i have never seen her have a nose bleed).  According to my research, I do not see this as a symptom of ovarian.  I also see no noticable abdominal swelling. She does feel "drained" and has stomach pain. She said the cancer has spread to both ovaries and her entire uterus.  It was the nose bleeds and spitting up blood that got me wondering though.  She tends to have emotional problems at times and I'm wondering if she is doing this for attention.    

[lucymullis]

Have you posted this before?  I know we have had a post just like this and wondered if maybe you had?  Thanks.

[PF_PVD]

Oh, I forgot to mention that after my surgery I tried to bargain myself down to a stage 3C by pointing out that since they hadn't biopsied the lymph nodes in my neck (which was the distant mets that put me at stage iv), how did they know I was stage 4.  My onc took my case to the tumor board and unfortunately they all agreed on stage 4.  Well, a girl has to try!

I agree with the others, too, that you wouldn't want to risk acusing someone of lying about such a thing if it could be true.  If she is lying, she really needs some kind of help.

[marie3B]

I was told I had "late stage" ovarian cancer just by the original CT. Even before that at the doctor's appointment the ultra sound was enough to let my doc know what we were dealing with. I was then sent to the hospital for the CT, followed by surgery. It was only after the surgery that I was staged at 3b, and later was given the pathology of the tumors.

I agree with all above that even if it is not true, that this woman needs support and attention and a really good friend.  I pray it is not true!  That would mean one less woman dealing with this monster.

Good luck, Marie

[PF_PVD]

I know I've posted this before, but I was diagnosed with stage iv ovca with peritoneal carcinomatosis based solely on a CT scan so without surgery or technically even a biopsy.  In the next couple of days they performed a paracentesis in which the fluid came back malignant, a D & C of my uterus also confirmed malignancy, and the swollen lymph nodes in my neck sealed the deal.  Being deemed inoperable, I had 3 chemo sessions and then surgery in which pathology confirmed the cancer (actually primary fallopian tube, but by then we had gotten used to calling it ovca) in every one of my reproductive organs.  I'm not a believer in ONLY or NEVER or ALWAYS.  Paula

[Tybear]

Just a thought...ovarian cancer can ONLY be diagnosed through surgery and can ONLY be properly staged during that surgery. No one would take a CT scan or an MRI of someones abdomen and tell them they have stage 3 cancer. If your girlfriend did indeed have a debulking surgery with a gyne/oncologist, and was diagnosed stage 3, (she should have also been told whether it was stage 3 A, B, or C) she most certainly would not have her ovaries and her uterus. If your girlfriend hasn't undergone any past abdominal surgery (or any past chemotherapy, for that matter) then I'm guessing this is what you are suspecting...a cry for attention.
I like the above suggestions...offer to drive her to a chemotherapy session or to a doctor's appointment for support.
Becky

[cirella]

Hi, Maybe I missed something but I thought the only way to diagnose OC is by biopsy?  I'm not sure if symptoms alone will give such a diagnosis. Has your friend had surgery?  I agree with both Angi and Chris; be supportive while trying to get more details.  Going with her to the doctor is a good idea.  

[crecco]

Angi has given you some very good advice. The best thing that you can do is to be there for her and listen when she needs to talk. If you continue to have your doubts, offer to drive her to her next Dr appointment and go in with her for "moral support". That is a sure way of finding out.
Something for you to think of. If she has been dx with stage III ovarian cancer. Her Dr will want to begin some kind of treatment as soon as possible. Some opt to do debulking surgery first followed by chemo. others prefer chemo followed by surgery. Either way this is standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. Offer to drive her to her treatments as they can be rather rough.
Whether your friend has cancer or not, she is obviously looking for something. I can understand how hurt and betrayed you would feel if she didn't. But imagine how she would feel if you told her you didn't believe her and it turned out she did. Angi was right in saying that for now, your best option is to just stay quiet and be there for her. You will find out the truth eventually. Then you can make your decision about how you want to deal with it.
   Chris

[silver&gold]

Hi,
This a tricky one really because there are many symptoms that could indicate ovarian cancer, some women have several and others have none at all. I myself have never seen nose bleeds listed as a symptom but the stomach pain and tiredness most certainly can be signs (I had these). I would be careful with voicing your doubts to your friend because if infact she does have this awful disease im sure she would be devastated as I would to think her friend doubted her . There is always a chance that nose bleeds are a symptom for her as we are all different , I can tell you that if you were my friend and you doubted me and I really was ill then our friendship would be over in the blink of an eye but thats just me . I hope you get to the bottom of this because if it is for attention then your friend must be feeling very sad and lonely and may just need a hug and someone to listen to her anxieties . Best of luck with everything ,

  Take care Angie