Aa
What should I do?
I have a mass that was originally thought to be an infected fallopian tube but the antibiotics did not shrink it and now the ultrasound is showing eggs in it, so it is now an ovarian mass. The MRI showed it septated. 7.7 cm. One gyno says it is definately not cancer and removal is up to me & should be able to be done via lapro. The gyno oncologist says it needs to come out via a vertical incision (I know this type of incision is for just incase it is worse when they go in) but he rejected the lapro suggestion saying it was too big. But I have seen postings where lapro was used for much larger cysts! My CA-125 was taken on Thursday, so how long before I know the results? Which doctor do I trust? Do I get a 3rd opinion? Do I use a regular gyno surgeon or a gyno oncologist surgeon? I have had 3 c-sections and a hysterectomy via horizonal incision due to fibroids 14 yrs ago. I am 44.
I wish this was not so darned complicated! Too much waiting and hoping. I do appreciate the information and support...you guys are great. I am pre-menopausal. I am 44, 3 children by c-section and a partial hysterectomy via c-section about 14 yrs ago. I go for a mamogram tomorrow to rule out breast cancer as the cause of my growth. I just hope that it is not a waste of time too.
CA125 is not a reliable test in detecting OvCa, it is best used as a marker in someone that is already diagnosed. It also has been proven not to be effective at all in lower stage cancers. I am glad you are going to an GYN/ONC as they are the experts and the comment by the GYN stating that it is not OvCa just shows how important education,even amongst doctors is important. The only way to diagnosis OvCa is via biopsy. They may think that it looks supicioius but, until they actually sample the tissue they cannot tell for certain. I was told prior to surgery that I too was benign, there is no way it can be cancer....well 2 weeks later the final biopsy came back, it was early stage, caught early...I am not suggesting that you have OvCa, it is a relatively rare disease. I just am glad that you are seeing the proper the doctor.
Congrats on the 6, but I read here that if you are premenopausal then it is not something to rely on, not sure where you are in that dept... Did you have a complete hyst or partial? BUT don't worry because it sounds like you are already on track with the gyn onco and will have all your bases covered. Sorry to hear the news about your family history, but it is best to know as much as you can, AND the doctors will take things more seriously, which is always good. You might want to take a trip over to the OVCA forum if you haven't yet, there is lots of good info and great people there too who can maybe answer some of your questions. When is your surgery? I wish you all the best,
Joelle
Joelle
Good news & bad news.... CA125 is a 6, yeah! But my mom told me tonight my greatgrandmother died of ovarian cancer b/c my grand aunt talked her out of it and when my grandmother talked her back into it, then it was too late. So does the 6 really mean anything...maybe it has just been caught early...which kinds start out benign but can become malignant? Does anyone know?
Thank you guys so much! I already love this site! Such quick responses and good information from all of you.
Kasie --- thanks for sharing your experience and I hope all is well now. And that is exactly why I sought out a gyno onco b/c I had a friend go in for a hysterectomy and her bowel was nicked and she became septic and lost a lot of bowel, almost died and now has continued bathroom issues. My hysterectomy went fine but I'd just want to be safe knowing her story and now yours.
My gyno onco said if the CA-125 was in the hundreds, he would want to schedule surgery for next week so he must be thinking he will get it back faster. He works at a regional cancer center, Moffitt here in Tampa, FL. I was alone for the visit and was somewhat shocked and did not ask questions like I normally would. My husband could not attend due to work.
This has been very helpful. I think I will continue with the gyno onco for all the reasons you guys stated. Thanks again and I will keep you posted!
Kasie --- thanks for sharing your experience and I hope all is well now. And that is exactly why I sought out a gyno onco b/c I had a friend go in for a hysterectomy and her bowel was nicked and she became septic and lost a lot of bowel, almost died and now has continued bathroom issues. My hysterectomy went fine but I'd just want to be safe knowing her story and now yours.
My gyno onco said if the CA-125 was in the hundreds, he would want to schedule surgery for next week so he must be thinking he will get it back faster. He works at a regional cancer center, Moffitt here in Tampa, FL. I was alone for the visit and was somewhat shocked and did not ask questions like I normally would. My husband could not attend due to work.
This has been very helpful. I think I will continue with the gyno onco for all the reasons you guys stated. Thanks again and I will keep you posted!
Wolf, I think you are really one the right track, and I too, would say stick with the gyn/onc. They are just more experienced at spotting any cancers while the surgery is being performed. Actually, my regular GYN and GYN/ONC. did my hyst together.
So that's an option as well.
Kasie, OUCH! I'm sorry that happened to you! My cyst was 8.5 x 6.5, the doctor said way to big for lap. surgery. They didn't want to risk any of the problems that you talked about. I am very glad it was successfully resolved, but wow, that must have really hurt!
Please keep us posted on your future options (both of you!)
Kasie, I'm curious to know if you're feeling better now?
Blessings,
Morrowville
So that's an option as well.
Kasie, OUCH! I'm sorry that happened to you! My cyst was 8.5 x 6.5, the doctor said way to big for lap. surgery. They didn't want to risk any of the problems that you talked about. I am very glad it was successfully resolved, but wow, that must have really hurt!
Please keep us posted on your future options (both of you!)
Kasie, I'm curious to know if you're feeling better now?
Blessings,
Morrowville
Wolfehall,
Shawn has given you terreffic advice. I agree that they gyn/onc is definately the way to go. If the gyn/onc says it is too big to remove by doing laproscope, then I would definatley take his advice and have the vertical incision. I had my left ovary removed in 2005 via laproscope surgery. Well, all seemed just fine and I went home later that day. Two days later I was VERY sick and ended back at the ER for paratanitis. What happened was that the cyst was too big to remove via laproscope and also my ovary was attached to my bowels, bladder and colon. When the doctor saw that he should have stopped the surgery and done a horizontal incision to remove the cyst and ovary. Well, anywhoo.. my urter tube ended up being torn out of my bladder and my entire abdomen was filled with urine. I told you my story so you would see why the gyn may want to go with the vertical incision. Also, as Shawn stated scar tissure could become a problem when trying to get to your ovary. Please keep us posted on how things are going.
Good Luck,
Kasie
Shawn has given you terreffic advice. I agree that they gyn/onc is definately the way to go. If the gyn/onc says it is too big to remove by doing laproscope, then I would definatley take his advice and have the vertical incision. I had my left ovary removed in 2005 via laproscope surgery. Well, all seemed just fine and I went home later that day. Two days later I was VERY sick and ended back at the ER for paratanitis. What happened was that the cyst was too big to remove via laproscope and also my ovary was attached to my bowels, bladder and colon. When the doctor saw that he should have stopped the surgery and done a horizontal incision to remove the cyst and ovary. Well, anywhoo.. my urter tube ended up being torn out of my bladder and my entire abdomen was filled with urine. I told you my story so you would see why the gyn may want to go with the vertical incision. Also, as Shawn stated scar tissure could become a problem when trying to get to your ovary. Please keep us posted on how things are going.
Good Luck,
Kasie
They probably opted the laparotomy (longer incision) due to your previous hysterectomy and other incisions as well. Sometimes scar tissue develops and it can get in the way making it difficult to get to your problem area. As far as your CA 125 results, you should get those within a week. Regardless, it does sound like it needs to be removed and the only sure way to determine if it is cancerous or not, is via biopsy. I see you've consulted a gyn/oncologist, which is the way to go. I personally feel you are on the right track. If you do not feel you are comfortable with that particular physician, I would seek an opinion of another gyn/onc. I'd stick with the gyn/oncologist as this is their area of experise!
Best of luck to you,
Shawn
Best of luck to you,
Shawn
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