Ovarian Cancer Treatment

[Patineta]

I am a 37 year old woman with no kids who has recently being diagnosed with ovarian cancer based on a CA - 125 result and a transvaginal ultrasound.  I have a history of ovarian cysts on the left ovary and they have grown over a period of a year, but they grow and break down, but they don't disappear.  I haven't had any abnormal menstrual periods, bleeding or bloating.  My doctor, a surgeon oncologyst, recommended me a surgery right away and depending on the pathology they would decide if they remove one ovary, both and/or do a hysteroctomy.  I would like to know what treatment options are and what is the chance of recovery.

[tubacgal]

Hi Patineta--I am newly diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer too (two weeks ago).  It was discovered during a routine pelvic (it had been 14 months since my last one).  My doc sent me for the transvaginal ultrasound which showed two very enlarged cystic (fluid and solid) ovaries.  I then had a CA 125 which was 1200.  I had surgery which confirmed cancer in both ovaries and also one microscopically positive peri aortic node.  This put me at Stage IIIc; although my oncologist told me I am "the best Stage III" he has ever had!  At the time of my surgery, they did a complete hysterectomy, appendectomy, removal of 37 nodes, the omentum, peritoneal wash and looked at everything.  My oncologist is recommending both IV and IP chemo which I have decided to do.  He wants me to follow that with one year of oral chemo. He feels "enthusiastically optimistic" he tells me which is good enough for me to pursue this rather aggressive approach.
The bottom line though is this--until you have the surgery and they can do a frozen section and biopsy you will not know for certain if you are truly dealing with cancer.  The signs might point that way; but actual biopsy is the only sure way to diagnose.
Once they do know and can look around and see what if anything else is involved they will stage your cancer and then recommend treatment options for you.
As I said, I am way new to all of this and I know from reading today that there are many more expert than I and I am sure they will answer your questions.
Good luck to you and God Bless You.  

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,
Thank you Tubacgal for sharing your story. I completely agree with what you say about diagnosis. It is only after the ovary is removed and evaluated under the microscope that a diagnosis of cancer can be given. Patineta - please let us know what happens. But currently I do not think you can know if you have ovarian cacner. Most cysts are benign especially at age 37. CA 125 can also be elevated from endometriosis, inflammation, and fibroids.  Dear Neta - I hear your concerns. It is really scary to go into a procedure without an understanding of what will be found. Please let us know how the surgery went.
best wishes

[Neta100]

Hello Dr. Goodman.  I am planning to haave surgery in a couple of weeks and I am afraid of the outcome since until I wake up from surgery I will know if I will be able to have kids and if it's really cancer.  I would like your opinion on this.  Thanks for your help.