Question on ultrasound and laproscopic biopsy

[MochamommyCC]

If a cyst is present that is biopsied, do doctors also biopsy other areas of the ovaries??? I understand from my preliminary research that there are different types of OC, and not all are caused by a tumor, but by the lining of the ovary??? Can the lining be biopsied and/or is this something that would be visible to the surgeon??

Also, if the form of cancer is of the lining, how would that show up on an ultrasound or CT scan?? HOw does a doctor determine that this form of cancer is present short of doing a lapro?? Seems like a big risk to undergo surgery just to see.   Is this where they rely on the CA-125?? Are there ANY other tests that would indicate the type of cancer that impacts the lining of the ovary short of doing laproscopic surgery??

[MochamommyCC]

Thank you!   There has to be be a mass.................either way no matter where it originates there must be a mass.  Thank you :)

[kcd86]

The only way to definitely DX OVCA is to remove the cyst/mass intact and send it to pathology for confirmation. Unfortunately this is the only way to date. Whether it originates from the surface or from the cells within the ovary there will be a mass.

[MochamommyCC]

Forgot to say - TG yours was caught EARLY!   So did they diagnose you just based on your symptoms, or did you have other abnormalities on any tests?? I hear that not many are diagnosed in stage 1, so it is WONDERFUL that you were one of the fortunate ones.

[MochamommyCC]

YES! That is part of my question.............there has to be tumor?? Which is sounds like the answer is "YES".........so HOW can they see the tumor with an T/V ultrasound,  CT scan, or laproscopic exploratory surgery if the tumor is INSIDE of the ovary???? I'm just not 'getting' it! If it's INSIDE the ovary, then it can go undetected???????    Thank God and Bless you for answering my questions.   You don't know how alone I've been with this.  My mental health is NOt where it needs to be.  I'm to the point of literally almost giving up, and I am NEVER that way.    Ashamed to say it, but I'm that bad :((

[nyc lady]

I was detected Stage 1A.....I was lucky....there are signs...and I had them all, bloated, change in bowel habits, feeling of fullness, etc....the best defense that we have against this disease is early detection and the best way for early detection is education...that means educating everyone - even doctors -  on the signs and symptoms of the disease, and of course research for a test, like a mamogram for our ovaries that can detect this horrible disease in early stages.

As far as I know...unless it is a blood related cancer, there has to be masses, tumors, etc...there are several types of Ovarian Cancer, clear cell, epithelium, germ cell, etc....there are always masses present.  I think that what I am getting from your question would be where is the location of the tumor? Outside the ovary, within the ovary?  Guess that would depend on the type of ovarian cancer.

Hope that helps.

[MochamommyCC]

Thanks NYC lady.............you are a wealth of knowledge!   The cyst that I had was removed (non-cancerous), though I wondered why they didn't just biopsy it......that explains it!  

So if there is no tumor, there is no ovarian cancer?? I just don't get that! From some of my readings, I understood there were TWO kinds of OC - one that was caused from a tumor in the 'bulb'(??) and the second on the lining/epithelium (??).  If that's the case, then what you are saying is that even with the second kind where it is in the lining, there STILL is a tumor there??   This has been an area of confusion for me.  If you don't mind and have time, please explain :))  

Lastly, how can anyone ever be diagnosed in Stage 1 if there is no test that detects it??? I'm so fearful of it and just want to do whatever steps, whatever screenings, etc. I can to be sure if I ever do have it that it is in fact detected EARLY.

[nyc lady]

Most cysts are not biopsied....if they are suspcioius looking they should be removed immediately, if they are simple or even complex they should be watched for change, and any changes need to be addressed immediately. Ovarian cysts should be removed "whole" to prevent any leakage incase there is in fact cancer cells in the cyst.  

At present there is no test that detects ovarian cancer.  The most important thing is to know your body and be aware of the symptoms (bloating, change in bowel and urination habits, indigestion, feeling of fullness, back pain, etc)...it is suggested that if these symptoms persist for more than two weeks you seek medical attention, preferably a gyncologist.  

In order for someone to have ovarian cancer, there must be a tumor, it is not a disease of the blood, etc, so if it starts in the lining or elsewhere, there will be tumor on or near the ovaries.

There are several different types of ovarian cancer, and  you can find research regarding where these cells form, etc, in many different places.   There is also research that ovarian cancer starts in the fallopian tubes, the study is called PAX 8.