"Huge" mass in (or on) left ovary - scared to death about it.

[melkm]

A couple of months ago I made an app. at my gynocologist because I have been having very bad pain in abdomen, my periods are completely off and discolored, I have been having pain during intercourse, fatigue and involuntary weight loss.  (I have gone from 150 to 120 in 2 and a half months)  She did my pap and said that she was having trouble finding my left ovary.  She scheduled an ultra sound for that week.  That was one week ago.  The nurse called me today and said that they discovered a "huge" mass, her words, in (or on, i am not sure which) my left ovary.  She said it measured 8 x 5 and I am to go up to another city where there is a bigger hospital to have tests run.  I was in shock.  I didn't ask any questions and now I am a nervous wreck!  I can't find anything on the internet that talks about a mass of that size except that during the late stages of ovarian cancer it grows in the abdomen.  Could someone please tell me what all this means?  Is there a chance this mass is malignant or could it be something completely different?  The nurse on the phone had an urgency in her voice.  I am so confused and would like to know how serious this sounds?  I can take it, if it is.  I just want to know.  Please help!  The next 4 days are going to be the worst without knowing anything.  Thanks!

[bldorosh]

Hope you can post something.   I am looking at the same thing and quite worried.  i cant see to even focus enough to work these days.
Let us know how you made out.

[hopeshell]

Any complex cyst runs a "chance" of being malignant.   Complex cysts 5cm and larger are more worrisome for malignancy than smaller ones.  But, most still turn out to be benign.  There are many types of complex cysts and you will know more after you have a MRI or CT.  I hope your doctor is referring you to a gynecologic oncologist.  Usually, a large complex, mass warrants a consult with a gyn/onc. That way, he/she can step in during your surgery if malignancy is found.  It is just a safeguard, but one that can make a difference in your overall prognosis if ovca is found.  Here are some links with more information about gyn/oncs:


http://oreilly.com/medical/news/ovarian_ten_things.html

http://www.wcn.org/articles/treatment/gynecologic_oncologists/overview/

http://www.wcn.org/findadoctor/

I agree with Honor.  You should call and get copies of your reports.  I like to keep a copy of all my records.  Odds are with you that it is a benign condition.  But, there is no way to know if it is benign or malignant without surgery.  A gyn/onc will be able to tell you his opinion based on your tests.  However, they are not always right.  My gyn and gyn/onc thought I had a benign mass and it ended up being an early staged malignancy.  Benign and malignant cysts can cause most of the symptoms you describe.  The weight loss seems extreme to me if you weren't trying to lose weight.  Hormonal changes from a cyst can cause all sorts of changes though.  Try to hang in there!  I know it is hard to wait.  I pray you have a benign outcome.  Please keep us posted on how you are doing!

Shelly

[Honor60]

Call that nurse back and ask if you can come in to talk with your doctor. You should be able to ask him all your questions. Write down everything you want to know. Also get copies of all your tests and results ..it's your right to have them. It could be malignant or not. Even an ectopic pregnancy could appear as a mass until further tests are run, try to not panic. Bring someone with you into your appointments for support and to help remember things. Nothing will ease your mind until you have further tests but your doctor could..and should...talk with you about the implications and possibilities.