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Enhancing Oval-Shaped Component?
My CT Scan report reads: The uterus is again noted to be enlarged and inhomogeneous containing multiple uterine firbroids. there has been interval enlargement in the right adnexal cystic mass which is currently more complex in appearance. there is an enhancing oval-shaped component in the superomedial aspect of this right ovarian mass. this enhancing component currently measures 2.1 X 1.8 cm. The entire right ovarian cystic mass has increased in size now measuring 4.2 X 3.9 cm, as opposed to the prior study (14 months earlier) when it measured 3.7 X 2.6 cm. Again, there is no free fluid in the cul-de-sac.
The Impression section says there is a new oval-shaped area of enhancement in the superomedial aspect of the mass.
i am wondering what the enhancement aspect of all this means. Does anyone know?
The Impression section says there is a new oval-shaped area of enhancement in the superomedial aspect of the mass.
i am wondering what the enhancement aspect of all this means. Does anyone know?
Nothing against your surgeon but you will see on many posts a very common point of advise, "you only have one chance to get this right". Now I can't tell you what you should do next that of course is between you and your family. It is never a wrong thing to get a 2nd opinion this way you will never beat yourself up for "I should have", "If I only did".
My experience, I live on Long Island where there are numerous large medical centers who see large volume of patients. We went to Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC for two reasons 1- Dr Carol Brown came highly reccomended from a prominent physcian, 2- Sloan Kettering is world renowned cancer center and it's all they do.
We do not have one regret going into Sloan to have Dr Brown do the surgery!
My experience, I live on Long Island where there are numerous large medical centers who see large volume of patients. We went to Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC for two reasons 1- Dr Carol Brown came highly reccomended from a prominent physcian, 2- Sloan Kettering is world renowned cancer center and it's all they do.
We do not have one regret going into Sloan to have Dr Brown do the surgery!
Kevin, thanks so much. I am having surgery Thursday. My CA-125 level is 87.6. The surgery is being done in a mid-sized city at a major hospital by a gynecological oncologist who i sense does a fair amount of volume (he can't see patients about 2 days a week because he's in surgery) but i do not know how to figure out what his volume is. i feel very fortunate in life that i have the resources to travel wherever i need to see whomever i need to, but i'm so concerned about catching potential ovarian cancer early that i decided to just go with him; that time trumped finding the ultimate surgeon. My GP, who's a conscientious, qualified guy, recommended this surgeon. But your posting has me wondering if i should just head to Sloan and put off the surgery. thoughts from your experience?
Enhancement means it is an area that has a higher density.
Keep in mind most cysts are benign!! Since your CT scan showes a complex mass on your ovary warrants a very thourough work up to rule out any other potential issues.
My wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010 and I know what it feels like to not know what the next step is. Here is a quick 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). Not saying you have ovarian cancer just educating you on the tests and steps usually taken to confirm or not confirm OVCA.
An MRI is usually the next test that should be given as they are more precise when read by the right radiologist.
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 causes 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.
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 some suspicion based on your Cat scan 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.
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 as you are entitled to them. Post with any other questions you have this site has some very knowledgeable people on it. I wish you all the best.
Kevin
.
Keep in mind most cysts are benign!! Since your CT scan showes a complex mass on your ovary warrants a very thourough work up to rule out any other potential issues.
My wife was recently Dx with granulosa Cell cancer( GCT) Jan 2010 and I know what it feels like to not know what the next step is. Here is a quick 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). Not saying you have ovarian cancer just educating you on the tests and steps usually taken to confirm or not confirm OVCA.
An MRI is usually the next test that should be given as they are more precise when read by the right radiologist.
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 causes 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.
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 some suspicion based on your Cat scan 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.
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 as you are entitled to them. 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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