Newly "diagnosed" 1C

[AJ70]

Hi everyone. In June I had surgery to remove a large tumor from my left ovary. At that time, my oncologist thought for sure it was benign, as I am "young" (38 yrs.), have no history of ovca in my family, ultrasound showed possible hemorraghic cyst with no signs of free fluid, etc. Instead, when they went in they found a large, Medusa shaped (tentacles!) tumor that they knew was cancer. She said that everything else looked clear and healthy to the naked eye, and that the frozen section they took came back as either a Borderline cancer or a carcinoma. They were not sure. My oncologist decided not to perform a hysterectomy as she was not convinced I would need one at the time - (though later when pathology called her back it seemed they were leaning towards a carcinoma.) Anyway - she told me that she feels I am staged at 1C, and that may come back a little bit higher after actual pathology tests come back. I have had to wait six weeks!!! At first, since I was recovering from surgery - it was ok - concentrated on getting through that - but now I am getting scared.

One thing I am worried about - I have never had a CT scan or MRI.......to see if there is anything elsewhere. I am nervous about that. Did most of your doctors order a scan for you? Should I be asking for one?  

I have one more week to go - next Monday (11th) I head back to the oncologist to hear my actual results, staging, and treatment plan/options.

Thanks for listening!

[Lafnatitall]

I was diagnosed 3C in Oct. 2007.  Because I was having symptoms that indicated the need for tests, I had a CT for other reasons. After the tumor was found on the scan, I went in for a biopsy and it was discovered to be on my omentum, and right pelvic area...possibly on the intestines. A week after my biopsy, I had the debulking surgery and the cancer was staged. Four weeks after the surgery, I began chemo. I know the wait is unbearable...as soon as I found out that I had cancer, I wanted it OUT!!!  Perhaps because of your age, and that there wasn't evidence of it being, a hysterectomy wasn't performed in order for you to be presented with your options for treatment.  

Let us know what is happening...we care about everyone who comes here, yet hate to have new "members" to our "group"...

Read a good book or something to make the wait easier...Rhonda

[StillFighting]

Hey chicky hang in there the waiting is the worst part in my oppinion lol....
Did most of your doctors order a scan for you? Should I be asking for one?   no cant say they did, all my scans were done before the surgery. After that they just kept tabs on my ca125.

Good luck with your staging and everything.

[jlock]

Hello and welcome. I'm sorry we are having to meet this way. My sister is alot like you.  She had surgery for a mass on her ovary,the only difference was her gyn had a Onc/gyn in attendance.  Her mass looked to be borderline,so they felt all was ok.  Then 1 month later my sister went for a check up with the Onc and he told her that her cytology test came back positive,so she was staged a 1c. No further chemo needed.  She see's him at first every 3months (like me),then after being clear for 2 years she now sees him every 6 months.  All is still going well for her and it was 3.5 years ago. As far as having a ct scan to see if it's anywhere else,thet usually don't do that.  They usually scan the area of problem and thats it. Your Onc did look around so they looked at all the areas that are usually indicated for ovca.  I would however want my ovaries out!!!  Especially if they have found cancer.  good luck,keep us posted~~~~Joanne

[AJ70]

Thanks for responding everyone :) Your support and knowledge really does help!

My actual surgery was performed by a gyne oncologist - so I feel good about that.....I have had only the one ovary and tube out, even though I had given permission to take everything, or at least other ovary if need be.....they didn't do it. Yet. She said maybe later but only if necessary. We will see what pathology comes back with. My family doctor had ordered a CT scan originally but I got into gyne oncologist before CT scan  - and they said not necessary - surgery regardless. So.........

Yes, waiting is horrible!! Though.....in some ways......now that I only have a week left - it is kind of like a reprieve from it all for this short time - feeling much better after recovering from surgery, (finally!) and don't have to start to deal with whatever comes next, yet.......you know? But at the same time - want to know and get started - get it over with!
Joanne - did your sister need chemo at all at stage 1c? Isn't it usually protocol? My oncologist did tell me that I am very lucky to have found it at this stage, and that she felt it was treatable. But couldn't guarantee it was non-invasive until results come back..........and that chemo was almost always necessary with ovarian cancer. (so I imagine if it is not Borderline cancer I will receive it for sure...........?)

New to all of this..........though have been researching of course.

What a summer this has been.......Rhonda - yes - reading has helped a lot - I think I have read 10 novels in 6 weeks!!

Thanks again everyone......and my thoughts are with all of you as well!!

[AJ70]

Only 3 more days until my appointment with my oncologist to find out pathology report (yes, I am getting very anxious (and scared) to find out results, staging, treatment options).......I am trying to compile a list of questions to ask when I am there as the last time I talked to my oncologist, when she told me what she thought after surgery - I had so many questions LATER when she wasn't around. This time I am bringing a journal to write everything down. Does anyone have any questions for me to bring that you know from experience that I should be asking or I will need to/want to know?

Thanks!

Amy