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precancer

I was told I have precancer cells is that the same as stage 1
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the link, I'll be sure to write down what you've said prior to my appointment so I know for sure what to ask him.  
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Avatar universal
I am still thinking that your doctor used the terminalogy of precancerous to describe borderline or LMP ovarian cancer (but poor choice of words on his part).

Ovarian low malignant potential tumors have abnormal cells that may become cancer, but usually do not. This disease usually remains in the ovary.

Here s a nice link:http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/ovarian-low-malignant-potential/patient/
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194838 tn?1303428544
There are a couple of situations that chemo is given in stage 1a and 1b , this is if the grade is a 2 or 3  or there is a clear cell histology which has a high risk for reccurance.

Angie
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155056 tn?1333638688
Chemo is usually administered for stage 1C and above.  Chemo has not been proven effective for those that are lower staged, the side effects from chemo outweigh any positive effects they might have for stage 1A or 1B....Borderline Cancer does not fit into this equation. Chemo is not administered for Borderline Cancer.
I have heard many gyn/oncologists speak and no one has ever talked about pre Ovarian Cancer.  It is my understanding that the cells are cancer or they are not, non cancerous cysts will not become cancer.  I know that the goal is to be able to diagnosis the disease in early stages, Stage 1.  Please speak to the doctor to find out if it is in fact Borderline Ovarian Cancer...that is not pre-cancerous cells.
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Avatar universal
I recently underwent open abdominal surgery to remover my right ovary due to a very large cyst.  After surgery the doctor told me that he didn't end up removing the ovary because the cyst was on the fimbriae so he only removed the tube and did a wedge biopsy of the ovary.  He also did a biopsy of the other ovary.  He just told me that the results for one ovary showed precancerous changes.  He is waiting to get more information from the pathologist but figures that he'll have to go back in and take out the ovary (I wish he'd done it in the first place since that's what I thought he was doing).  Anyone know what I should ask him at my next appointment about how they decide what to do?  I am wondering what would make them decide to only take the ovary (the other ovary's biopsy was fine), am I not at risk of cancer of the cervix and the other ovary?  If it's determined to be precancerous and the ovary is removed do they still do chemo?  I am also wondering if anyone knows what method it's likely they'd choose to do the surgery?  I have had a laproscopic surgery for gallbladder removal years ago, and then the open surgery for the tube removal and looks see...
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the info. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow. I have a page full of questions. When you here that "c" word thats all you here. Then I couldn't think of any questions at all. I am trying to educate myself so I understand whats going on. I'm really scared about the chemo and they said they would put a port in. I guess they will explain all that tomorrow. Thanks for your comments.
Diane
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Avatar universal
Hi Diane. sounds like you had a borderline tumor...possibly in both ovaries and since also in wash would technically be stage 1C. For borderline they do not prescribe chemo, because slow growing and cells don't respond., but you should ask your gyn oncologist this specifically and also ask about if precancerous is borderline or LMP. Hav ehim explain pathologu report fully and ask what follw-up is needed. Sorry I know this is very scary...but borderline is 99% cured with surgery and has very low rate of recurrance, just follow-up is still important. Good luck.
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Avatar universal
If it's precancerous cells, and there is no metastasis (spread of the cancer), then I guess it can technically be Stage 1...if it was cancer.  If it is not cancer (precancerous) it can't really be staged like that (also staging only takes place during surgery, not during scans or min. diagnosis).  

In Stage 1, they like to still do chemo to 'be safe' if any cells escaped...it's more of a safety measure than actually doing anyting worthwhile.  Your survival rate is close to 100% if nothing has spread.
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Avatar universal
She did say they were precancer cells but would that also be borderline. I did get a second opinion. They also agreed.
Diane
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Avatar universal
I would suggest a second opinion on the pathology results just to confirm - you wouldn't want to do chemo if you didn't have to.
I also have not heard of pre-ovarian cancer.  It wasn't borderline cancer was it?
Debbie
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Avatar universal
I had a mass on my right ovary. I had a oncol do my surgery. They removed the mass and found it was precancerous. My other overary had a zist growing that had the same precancerous cells. They then gave me a full hysterectomy removing my appendic,omintome and 24 lymp notes. They also did a pelvic wash finding the same precancerous cells. The pathol report came back and everything was normal except the precanserous cells. They have recommended me to do 6 rounds of chemo in 4 months.
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408448 tn?1286883821
I think she is referring to a pap smear report.  If so, she needs a repeat pap smear and maybe colposcopy for a cervical cancer screening.  Most abnormal paps clear up without treatment, but need to be followed up to be sure.  Marie
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155056 tn?1333638688
I can honestly say this is the first time I have heard that someone was diagnosed with pre-cancerous ovarian cancer....how did they discover this?  
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Avatar universal
Precancer cells are not cancer. Most cells with early precancer changes return to normal on their own. Sometimes, the precancer cells may turn into cancer if they are not found and treated.

(source: ACS)
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