Mixed cystic and solid mass

[LisaMeador]

I know I've posted about this before, but does complexity (cystic and solid components) does it automatically make it malignant? There's no ascites, free fluid, no blood flow

[LisaMeador]

Thank you so much. Hope you're doing well. You've been such a comfort to me and I'm so thankful.

[LisaMeador]

Just woke up from surgery, it was a dermoid and benign. Thank you all so much for helping me through everything

[HVAC]

I am glad it is over. Great news. Take care of yourself with the recovery.
Alex

[LisaMeador]

Surgery is tomorrow and my anxiety is definitely starting to really bother me. So scared of waking up to the C word.. So scared of anesthesia on top of that. First surgery.. 12 hours away.

[HVAC]

Keep me posted

[HVAC]

I have never heard of LDH in regards to ovarian cancer.

Alex

[LisaMeador]

My doctor finally called about the test results. Ldh is used sometimes for germ cell tumors in combination with a few other tests. She told me she wasn't worried with it being raised as typically with cancers, it's in the 1,000's.

My surgery is set June 14 with my GYN onc.

[LisaMeador]

Just an update:

I had my appointment with the GYN onc. They drew more blood tests LDH, BRCA, and AFP. Everything but the LDH came back normal and I was informed it was slightly elevated. Like 390 I believe with the cut off at 333.

Before the blood work I was reassured multiple times they didn't believe it was cancer, but now I'm worried about the raised ldh level. All of my blood work has been fine except this one. I'm waiting on word from my GYN onc what exactly this means and if my surgery needs to be more of an "emergency" situation.

Back to the ldh, is it the same as lactate dehydrogenase? I had that test performed at a separate hospital before the GYN onc appt and their limit was 618. That came back normal. I guess I don't understand the difference and how one was normal and the other is considered elevated?

[HVAC]

Anything under 35 is normal. You probably do not have ovarian cancer. Two months ago I was told I have months to live. I am coming up on 4 years since my diagnosis. I did 3 1/2 years of chemotherapy. It sucked. This cancer *****. It is a rare cancer. You have less than 1% of getting it. I have a 90% of breast cancer that is a statistic to worry about and I don't worry about it.

My grandmother, aunt and me all will have died in our 50's of ovarian cancer. My brother and dad got severe prostate cancer in their 50's. The BRCA gene runs in my family. If you do not have this cancer be happy.

Try not to think about it.Live your life be happy.

Alex

[LisaMeador]

Thank you. I admire your strength

[LisaMeador]

I got my ca125 back. It's 28... Should I be worried?

[HVAC]

I get that you want an answer. The answer might be that you do not have cancer. There are many ob/gyn problems that have no answers to them. My gyn told me they do not know much about the reproductive part of women. That is encouraging.

Alex

[LisaMeador]

So, I finally got my referral to the GYN/ONC after months of pushing. I had some blood work done -- Estrogen, inhibin A, lactate dehydrogenase, and the CA-125. I'm still waiting for the CA-125 results but the other three are all normal.

[HVAC]

I am glad you got the Gyn/onc the deal with more complex cases. If it is not cancer they may not have a clear cut answer. There is still  a lot about the female reproductive system they do not understand. Mostly what doctors say is watch and wait.

I had a kidney stone for 4 months until they finally decided it needed to come out.I went to twelve doctors. I have had neurological problems my whole life. Finally when I was 46 they figured out it was MS. I had stopped trying to figure it out. My primary care found it.

Having a good primary care is crucial I did not have her during the kidney stone fiasco. She diagnoses and gets me to the right specialist. Unfortunately she was pregnant and then on maternity leave with my cancer. Her head was not in the game and she missed my cancer. She blames herself. He partner finally found it. she saw things but did not put them together. The complaints I had all lead to cancer but she thought of them as separate issues.

I worked for veterinarians and that is what human medicine needs. Vets have to do everything on different animals. They might do orthopedic surgery or a spay. They do cancer and other illnesses. They are less specialized.
Human doctors are specialized and do not think of anything but their specialty. That only works if you no exactly what is wrong with you and you do not have multiple problems.

[HVAC]

A complex mass on the cyst does not automatically mean cancer. No ascites is good. Did you have a ca125 done? If you are worried keep pushing for an answer. I think most likely you do not have cancer. I did not push and I did have cancer. I knew I had cancer. I was loosing weight because I could no longer eat since I threw most I ate up.I also had the most God awful diaphragm spasms. I would have to take enough tranquillizer to sleep. I tore all the muscles in my chest the first time I had the spasms with out tranquillizers. The cancer was in my diaphragm. The thing about ovarian cancer is once you have symptoms like weight loss the cancer can be seen on ultrasound. There are no symptoms at the beginning of ovarian cancer. It is a very rare cancer. I do not want any woman to worry but if you think something is going on you need to find out what it is. Until you are told you have this cancer try not imagine the worst.

Alex

[LisaMeador]

I have been pushing so hard and no one is taking me seriously because of my age. It's very frustrating and it's been 4 months since they found it. I feel like I'm getting no where. I'm not losing weight, I'm eating regularly if not increased appetite.. I just can't seem to stop researching the worst. I find little things that suggest malignancy and I can't get my dr's to listen which only hightens my anxiety.