NEW MEMBER POSSIBLE OVARIAN CANCER

[cats1966]

Hi, Im new here, not sure if this is where this should go but, here gos. 3 Weeks ago I had a pelvic u/s after pelvic exam by pc dr. He called me that night to tell me that they found 3cm complex cystic masses on both ovaries. I have an appt with Gyn this coming Monday, and Picked up the radiologist report for the u/s. This is what it says. Complex cystic masses measuring 3 cm on both right and left ovary. Right ovary measures 4.6 cm, Left Ovary not visible. There is heterogeneous low-level internal echo. Parts of the wall not well defined. Doppler suggests hypervascularity to the wall. No free fluid in cul-de-sac. Conclusion: Bilateral complex cystic adnexal masses. Significant pathology including neoplasm is not excluded. I know that the gyn will explain this all to me on Monday, but can anyone translate what any of this might mean???? Should I be fearing cancer?. I am 43, 2 c-sect live births 18, 20 ages. No uterus, removed 2005 adhesions, and fibroids. Any insight will be much welcomed. Ty
  

[ChrisP2236]

I agree with you - a second opinion can't hurt.  Hopefully this dr is right but we have seen time and time again where women are put off, dismissed, pooh poohed, until it is almost to late to do anything.  I get concerned when a dr talks about "age".  Women of EVERY age can and do get ovca, even very young girls (though it is rare, it happens).  

You know your body - if you've been having even "whisper" symptoms, push until you get an answer that satisfies you. That dr is not going to be going through things with you if he's wrong - typically he'll refer you on and be done with it. Also, be aware that while the blood tests are helpful, they are not always a marker for ovca depending on which kind you have.  CA 125 was not a marker for me - I had granulosa cell tumor.  And they can also give false positives depending on time of the month, undetected infection of some sort, etc.  Again, most cysts are benign but it's up to you to make sure you get the answer you need to feel comfortable - even if it involves surgery and biopsy.  Good luck, Chris P

[cats1966]

Well Im back...... Im not too sure this is the right gyn for me.   Right away he made a comment about the radiologist report...."they make it sound much worse than it is"...
He doesn't beleive theres any need to worry.  Woman my age get these cysts all the time.   He said I have a lot of adhesions, which is probably causing all of my discomfort.  Due to the adhesions, I am not a candidate for a Lap.,  and that he beleives leaving everything alone would be best for me at this time.   He ordered 2 Cancer marker tests, "went and got the blood work done before I came home", and reordered an U/S for 8-12 weeks, even though the radiologist suggested 4-6weeks.      I'll be on the phone with my Pc tomorrow, for a 2nd opinion.

[ChrisP2236]

I will be thinking of you and hoping for the best.  You are wise to be prepared either way.  In my case my gyn had a slight suspicion it might be cancer based on the cell shape the tvu showed, but the gyn/onc she conferred with told her to do a ca125 and when that came back at 6, he blew it off and told us to wait 3 months and re-test.  I was in a great deal of discomfort and didn't want to wait and she agreed.  Because of what she suspected she bagged the ovary before she removed it, preventing spillage (and potential spread).  She thought things looked good. I was very fortunate she was so careful - we were both in a bit of shock when it came back that I had ovca.  

Had I known what I know now, I'd have gone immediately to a different gyn/onc to have the initial surgery.  I like to encourage anyone who is unaware of it, as I was, that a gyn/onc is the way to go if there is the slightest possibility the ovary(ies) may be malignant.  If it's not cancer, so much the better.  If it is, you've given yourself the best possible chance for survival.  Let us know what your gyn says.  Either way, we're here to help.  Chris P

[cats1966]

Ty Chris,  my appointment is @ 2:15 today with gyno.  As you might imagine, Im very anxious to here what he has to say.   If he has any inclination that this is cancer,  I will
request to see a gyno /onc.  Thank you for your response, and the advice.  I am trying not to panick, but at the same time prepare myself, so that I might make the right decisions for me.  I'll let you know what happens today.   Thanks again

[ChrisP2236]

There is really no way to know definitely if you have cancer until you have a biopsy. You can google most of the phrases used in the report and get an idea of what your gyn may tell you so you are somewhat prepared on Monday. Hypervasularity may be a concern as that indicates an increased number or concentration of blood vessels enabling rapid growth (often of tumors (neoplasm)).    

Most cysts are benign, but that said, if your gyn suspects cancer based on the tvu report PLEASE INSIST on a referral to a gynecological/oncologist to do the biopsy.  They are specifically trained to deal with gyn cancers and if the biopsy indicates cancer they can stage you, do any needed biopsies, etc. and spare you a second surgery (which happened in my case).  You do NOT want to go the second surgery route if you can avoid it - the weeks of waiting between diagnosis from the initial surgery and second surgery by the gyn onc are totally anxiety-filled, and you can avoid that by being your own advocate and insisting on the best care for you - which is a gyn/onc from the beginning.  Please let us know how your gyn visit goes.  And don't be afraid to insist on a gyn/onc - it's your body.  Best wishes, Chris P