How were you feeling prior to diagnosis?

[Anchorage]

Hello,

First post here... looking for help, as it appears that my girlfriend may get diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  She's experiencing the usual bloating, cramps, pain in the pelvic area, CA-125 came back at 54, all other blood tests normal, cyst with fluid on one ovary, scheduled for a CT scan tomorrow -- gyn is working towards diagnosis or ruling out other problems.

Needless to say -- she's a nervous wreck.  I've seen other reports of CA-125 numbers that are in the hundreds and thousands.

She generally feels good, and is a tough gal who doesn't let aches and pains keep her from taking care of business.

Is it possible to have ovarian cancer with the normal and customary symptoms that don't bring a woman to her knees?  Is it possible to have cancer spreading through the body and truly not know it?

Thanks,

Anchorage

[westajul]

Hi,
I hope your friend got some answers from her CT scan. My symptoms were weight gain and bloating. I ended up with a Low Malignancy Potential borderline tumor...which usually has a great prognosis. Ovarian Cancer symptoms are very subtle and that is why is sometimes referred to as a silent killer. Hope your friends diagnosis is positive one. Please let us know how she is doing.Julie

[turtledovemom]

I'm so sorry to hear about your girlfriend's situation.  I was one of the people who was without symtoms prior to a diagnosos of ovca.  Mine was discovered during a gyn exam. The doc was convinced that it was a 4month pregnancy, due to the fact that it had taken over the right ovary and was just resting right inline with the uterus.  Despite its size, it was found prior to the malignancy spreading anyplace.  I was one of the lucky ones.  Early diagnosis is the key...we understand that.  The issue is discovering it as early as possible.  Being asymptomatic is the reason why this demon is known as the "silent killer".  

Good luck...and please keep us posted!
Anne

[Anchorage]

We just returned from the CT scan, and the technicians were kind enough to push the paperwork through quickly so that the radiologist could provide us with a report.  Even though the doctor is out of pocket until Friday, the results were given to my girlfriend by telephone.

A cyst was found, but we already knew that from the previous ultrasound.  The cyst was measured at 3 cm, and we were told that it was "only a cyst".  The nurse said that the doctor would probably suggest a wait of 4 - 6 weeks, and then take another look at the cyst via ultrasound or CT scan again.

There appeared to be some concern by the doctor and technician from a few days ago, but everyone appeared to be very calm and relaxed about my girlfriend's situation today.

A "nodule" was also found on my girlfriend's lung.  The report did not comment further about this new finding, only that it was there.  I suppose that we might be discussing this with another doctor at some point in the future... not sure.

The last 72 hours have been pretty bad, but I feel like we have some breathing room at this point.  It has been difficult dealing with my own thoughts and feelings on what the future might hold, but it has been excruciating watching my girlfriend go through this.  It seems that all I can do is hold her and tell here that I'll be there -- not matter which path we might find ourselves on in the near future.

Thanks for the info.

[AJ70]

If it is a fluid filled cyst, that is a good sign...I had a small one on my right ovary which they were not at all concerned about - it was a large, solid looking mass on the other one that had my radiologist concerned.(fluid-filled without solid parts to it are not usually cancer from what I understand) The fact that they are looking into ovca might simply be to rule it out and that is great, as early detection is so important.
My symptoms were few......some bloating which I didn't think was much more than normal, cramping during ovulation which my oncologist said is not a sign of ovca......I even ran a half-marathon with the large mass in my pelvis (a week before they found it).......The thing I noticed the most was that I was really tired all the time. That was the biggie for me. Really exhausted all the time.
It sounds like your girlfriend is in good hands. I hope that you end up with good results........and as mentioned above - it may just be a simple cyst. They are common.......Let us know how it goes.

Amy :)

[jlock]

My symptoms came on gradually.  it took 6 months or more to when I finally went to the ER with pain.  I thought I had pulled a muscle,I was very tired and very bloated. Had bad heartburn and no appetite.   Some friends at work actually thought I was pregnant and not telling anyone. My ct scan and cytology test on the fluid in my belly told then it was cancer. My ca-125 was really the last test they did. It is quite a hard test to understand correctly and filled with alot of false positives. Any inflammation,her time of her monthly cycle,even dehydration can cause a rise. Also the ca-125 number does not tell you how much cancer is inside. Some people have very high numbers at dx. and are staged at a lower stage.  Some of us with low numbers diagnosed with a higher stage.  It has to do with the amount of protein being put out by the cancer cells. I hope that your friend has only a cyst.~~~~Joanne

[Kimchi]

My symptoms were chronic diahrea, acid reflex and difficulty breathing in one lung. No pains or aches or anything that would indicate a problem in the reproductive areas

[Brownie3321]

My symptoms never had me to my knee's either. I experienced a lot of fatigue but nothing that i was concerned about. The only real symptom I noticed was the bloating and weight gain. Please keep us updated on your friend. Much love, Deandra

[ChrisP2236]

My symptoms never brought me to my knees but they were persistant.  That said, until the ovary is biopsied it's usually not possible to know if it's ovca or not (unless there is a giant mass that shows on the scan - sometimes they know from that).  The symptoms mimc so many other things - I was treated for IBS for 18 months.  Remember that most cysts are benign and a cyst alone can wreak havoc -  you might try posting your question to the ovarian cyst forum too.  Scroll down and on the right you will see a related communities heading and ovarian cysts is right under that.

Her gyn is doing the right thing by starting by ruling out ovca. It is definitely possible to have cancer spread and not know it, but that doesn't sound like that's the case with your girlfriend as she is symptomatic. CA 125 is a useful tool but not always reliable - it can be elevated due to things other than ovca.  Mine was only 6 but I still had a rare form, so it's not a marker for all ovca.  Good luck to you both and let us know how it goes.  
Chris P

[marie3B]

My symptoms came on so gradually and over such a long span of time that my body just adjusted to living with the disease in me.  I was tired, yes, and had discomfort for a long time, but I worked every day and took care of everything for everybody.  It wasn't until the day before my doc appointment that I lost all strength and became too uncomfortable to move any more.  I think ovca was in me for at least 7 years before it was finally diagnosed.  

Your friend may just have a cyst.  The fact that it is fluid filled is good.  The CA125 could be up for any number of benign reasons.  My case was so much different than your friends.  Let us know what she finds out.  I hope it will be good news.  Marie