fibroid or tumor or what?

[montie]

I'm still playing the waiting game and I just wanted to know if anyone could tell me the difference between a fibroid mass, endometrial mass, or just a tumor either benign or malignant. My tumor is on the outside of the uterus and appears to be attached to the ovary but they can't tell for sure that it is not attached to the uterus.  My uterus is fine and I have very little pelvic fluid.  I am scheduled to see a gyno/onocologist next week.  I was just wondering, has anyone had something similar that turned out to be a fibroid?  Or just a tumor that was benign?  What is a fibroid? Anyway, symptoms seem to be getting worse as the waiting game continues.  Aching, extreme fatigue on some days, sometimes sharper pains, increased feeling of need to urinate, like a bladder infection, last night, my legs ached so bad I couldn't sleep, and always the bloated and full feeling.  Please share your experiences or thoughts.

[Barcelona]

Hello.  From my experience I can tell you that initially my growth was thought to be a cyst (after ultrasound).  I had a laparotomy to remove it and I was told that it was not fluid filled thus it was not a cyst, and that it was a benign fibroid tumor.  However, after final pathology, it was confirmed to be a malignant tumor.  The final pathology required that the "tumor" be sent somewhere special where it is my understanding that they did chemical tests on the cells to determine a particular reaction to the chemicals.  Bottom line, they definitely can't tell for sure what a mass is without final pathology.  I think that a cyst is fluid filled whereas a fibroid is not. A tumor can be a fibroid type of tumor and can be either benign or malignant. Goodluck!

[montie]

Hey Mary,
Yeah I noticed your surgery is the day before I go meet the oncologist.  I can't help but feel like it will be just another appointment where I leave frustrated and without any information. The symptoms are increasing and getting stranger, now with pain in my legs and a tingly sensation.  I do have pain medication but I have a very sensitive stomach and can only take a half a pill at a time.  The Dr. gave me a ton of pain pills so that is scary.  Why does she think I need that many?  

Oh well.  I think I just needed to talk more than anything.

[urbangal]

I can't answer your questions either but i just wanted you to know i was thinking of you. I'm having surgery on Tuesday and i'm already getting really nervous.My hubby just doesn't get how scared I am.Are all men the same?? I hope you will be out of pain soon.On a funny note i went for my pre-op appt yesterday. Still not sure why that was necessary as it only increased my anxiety(i really didn't want to be talking about this for 2hrs last week and another 2 this week). They didn't even do anything except take blood! The nurse and the anestesiologist didn't know why i was there...This whole thing is really agrivating(apart from the cyst itself)!
Mary
p.s I was at least hoping they would give me some drugs to sleep the night before but they said no they don't do that...grrr

[montie]

I have had all the tumor marker tests including the CA 125, it was in the normal range.  I have had an ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound and an MRI.

I realize the biopsy is the only way to know for sure, I'm just wondering if it could be a fibroid or dermoid, or what.  I would think the MRI would tell if it was a dermoid because of the texture of that type of mass.

[Gatsby]

Although 99% of ovarian tumors, masses and cysts are benign, I am so glad that you are getting medical attention.  A gyn/onc is the best you can get!  They are specialists in the female reproductive area.  Unfortunately, only pathology will tell what the mass consists of.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Godspeed
~Tascha

[urbangal]

I know what you mean about the endless appt's.I feel like this has totally run my life for 6mths. My whole summer sucked from
all the worry and guess what ?I still have it(lol). I really thought when this was first discovered in July that it would be taken care of by August haha. When you have never had anything like this(had to see specialists and all these tests) that's what you think! THis waiting has sent me almost over the edge. Funny and now that it's almost over I'm getting really nervous almost like I like having the hope that it is nothing and I'm scared this time next week we'll know for sure and I"m not sure i want to now! Anyone like to run away say to a nice hot island and never come back? Just kidding(kind 0f).
About the pain meds though,I never got any. I am not in terrible pain just kind of constant discomfort which i don't usually take anything for. I would have liked some anti-anxiety pills though!
Mary

[nyc lady]

The good thing is that you have an appointment next week with a GYN/ONC...and not because I think that it is cancer, the good thing is that GYN/ONCs have more training in gynocological issues then OB/GYNs that spend a lot of their time training in obstetrics (sp?).  

They will have no way of knowing if it is cancerous or not until they biopsy the mass, if it is an ovarian mass.  I know little or nothing about fibroids.

What types of tests have you had so far?

You are right, the waiting is the hardest part.  Hopefully after you see the doctor next week, you won't have to wait that much longer to be relieved of the pain.

Good luck and keep us updated.