Is It Cancer Or Not??

amy44

When an abdominal CT scan showed "suspicious masses" on my mother's ovaries, in the abdominal cavity itself and in one lymph node, she was told be her primary care physician (an internist) that she has advanced ovarian cancer.

One week later, the specialist/surgeon confirmed the presence of the masses but said she doesn't call anything cancer until she gets a tissue pathology. Makes perfect sense, but I was nervous about her creating false hope for a non-cancer diagnosis. She said she's gone into surgery fully expecting someone to have cancer and then they didn't and vice versa.

A few days ago during pre-op testing with the PCP, my mother asked her, "Why do you think I have cancer when the specialist says only a biopsy can make that determination?" The PCP said she based her finding on the radiologists report (which are only "pictures") and from past experience. Huh. Ok. Seems a little irresponsible to me, but she could be 100% correct. The point is, no one knows right now.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? My mom has her "debulking/staging" surgery on Tuesday, Feb 28th and even though I think it probably ovarian cancer, a little voice in my brain keeps saying, "maybe it's not......"

Sigh. I'm a little confused....

poopergirl14052

did your Mom get a ca-125 blood test
I had a Ct scan an did show findings consistent with OVCA. They can be sure until surgery is done or biopsy. My PCP sent me for the scan thinking it was something else. I went to a gyn/onc who did the surgery and it was cancer. Unfortunately the nurse can not confirm or deny.al I wish you and your Mom the best and hope it is not cancer,,,,but if it is come to us for advice or if you need info..val

poopergirl14052

did your Mom get a ca-125 blood test
I had a Ct scan an did show findings consistent with OVCA. They can be sure until surgery is done or biopsy. My PCP sent me for the scan thinking it was something else. I went to a gyn/onc who did the surgery and it was cancer. Unfortunately the nurse can not confirm or deny.al I wish you and your Mom the best and hope it is not cancer,,,,but if it is come to us for advice or if you need info..val

Tethys41

Your Surgeon
is the one who is absolutely correct. That being said, however, radiologists and doctors often make the initial possible diagnosis of ovarian cancer. I knew I was in trouble when my CT scan report said that I had ovarian cancer. Yes, no one know for sure until the surgery, but the radiologist was right; it was ovarian cancer. On the bright side, there are patients who go into surgery with a doctor or radiologist who thinks it's cancer, when it is not. Hoping it is not.

amy44

poopergirl14052 said:

did your Mom get a ca-125 blood test
I had a Ct scan an did show findings consistent with OVCA. They can be sure until surgery is done or biopsy. My PCP sent me for the scan thinking it was something else. I went to a gyn/onc who did the surgery and it was cancer. Unfortunately the nurse can not confirm or deny.al I wish you and your Mom the best and hope it is not cancer,,,,but if it is come to us for advice or if you need info..val

She did have a CA-125 test
She did have a CA-125 test but doesn't know the results. I will prompt her to find out the results on Monday. She's just so fragile and anxious right now. I don't really push her to do much more than take care of all her pre-op stuff.

She is having a total hysterectomy on Tuesday and they'll also remove that one "pesky" lymph node as well. That's when they do the biopsy, so we'll have a definitive answer soon.

I'll be staying with her for a while, so I'm sure I'll be burning up this site with questions. Thank you so, so much for responding and for offering advice. I appreciate you!

amy44

Tethys41 said:

Your Surgeon
is the one who is absolutely correct. That being said, however, radiologists and doctors often make the initial possible diagnosis of ovarian cancer. I knew I was in trouble when my CT scan report said that I had ovarian cancer. Yes, no one know for sure until the surgery, but the radiologist was right; it was ovarian cancer. On the bright side, there are patients who go into surgery with a doctor or radiologist who thinks it's cancer, when it is not. Hoping it is not.

I think the surgeon is spot
I think the surgeon is spot on, too. How can you tell what anything is from a picture? The tissue must be tested.

How I wish your radiologist was wrong, but I appreciate your insight and experience so much. Thank you for taking the time to respond and take very best care!

mopar

SENDING PRAYERS FOR YOUR MOM & YOU!
Sorry to hear you have this hanging over your heads right now, but everyone is right - only pathology will determine the situation. I would try to clarify a few things before she goes in.

Is an gynecologic/oncologist doing the surgery? They are typically the best to handle this type of situation. Will they test immediately before they close her up? That way, if it is cancer, they can do a hysterctomy and remove a few lymph nodes to test them as well. I was fortunate because my gyne/onc took care of everything all at once so I wouldn't require further surgery. Of course, every situation is different. If they say they can't operate all at once (if it is cancer), they may start her on chemotherapy to reduce the cancer first, then go back in at a later time.

Either way, please let us know the outcome. Sending lots of prayers and hugs to you both. We are here for you.

Monika

amy44

mopar said:

SENDING PRAYERS FOR YOUR MOM & YOU!
Sorry to hear you have this hanging over your heads right now, but everyone is right - only pathology will determine the situation. I would try to clarify a few things before she goes in.

Is an gynecologic/oncologist doing the surgery? They are typically the best to handle this type of situation. Will they test immediately before they close her up? That way, if it is cancer, they can do a hysterctomy and remove a few lymph nodes to test them as well. I was fortunate because my gyne/onc took care of everything all at once so I wouldn't require further surgery. Of course, every situation is different. If they say they can't operate all at once (if it is cancer), they may start her on chemotherapy to reduce the cancer first, then go back in at a later time.

Either way, please let us know the outcome. Sending lots of prayers and hugs to you both. We are here for you.

Monika

Hi Monika....thank you for
Hi Monika....thank you for thinking of us. It means so much to know people are truly, genuinely interested and concerned. I appreciate you!

Yes, her surgeon is a Gynecological Oncologist who is considered one of the best in our area (The D.C./VA area). She (the surgeon) even has her own "dream team" of anesthesiologists, which is such a huge comfort to my mother, who is seriously scared of anesthesia. The surgeon said they will test the tissue immediately, so I assume that means during the surgery, but I will definitely get clarification on that, so thank you for prompting me to ask that question. Either way, the plan is to do a total hysterectomy as well as removal of a lymph node that shows "involvement". The surgeon said if it is indeed cancer my mother will have chemotherapy to treat any microscopic cancer that may be in her body.

I will definitely post as soon as I know something on Tuesday evening (her surgery is at 6pm). I am so humbled by and grateful for the quick responses and sincere support I've been shown so far.

lovesanimals

amy44 said:

Hi Monika....thank you for
Hi Monika....thank you for thinking of us. It means so much to know people are truly, genuinely interested and concerned. I appreciate you!

Yes, her surgeon is a Gynecological Oncologist who is considered one of the best in our area (The D.C./VA area). She (the surgeon) even has her own "dream team" of anesthesiologists, which is such a huge comfort to my mother, who is seriously scared of anesthesia. The surgeon said they will test the tissue immediately, so I assume that means during the surgery, but I will definitely get clarification on that, so thank you for prompting me to ask that question. Either way, the plan is to do a total hysterectomy as well as removal of a lymph node that shows "involvement". The surgeon said if it is indeed cancer my mother will have chemotherapy to treat any microscopic cancer that may be in her body.

I will definitely post as soon as I know something on Tuesday evening (her surgery is at 6pm). I am so humbled by and grateful for the quick responses and sincere support I've been shown so far.

Dear Amy,
So glad that your mom is in such good hands with the best team of doctors who will do their very utmost for her. I'm hoping and praying that the outcome on Tuesday is no cancer. If it is cancer, she'll get the treatment needed to destroy it and then she can move on with her life. You've come to the right place for information and support. I've found that this board is full of compassionate and thoughtful women who are good listeners with lots of good advice and information. Please keep us posted. Your mom is lucky to have such a caring daughter.

Kelly

Radioactive34

Radiology report
Read the radiology report...if you have a good radiologist, they can spot the difference in the tissue. Certain cancers have different densities and are obivous. I was able to access my labs and radiology report prior to seeing my gyn for a follow up. Actually reading my radiology report was the first real clue that I really did have cancer. That along with the CA 125 will give you a good indication of what is going on.

Though every doctor will tell you it is never certain until they biopsy the tissue. My gyn definitely said I did have cancer. But the oncologist gyn said wait to worry until after she confirms it.

AnneBehymer

amy44 said:

Hi Monika....thank you for
Hi Monika....thank you for thinking of us. It means so much to know people are truly, genuinely interested and concerned. I appreciate you!

Yes, her surgeon is a Gynecological Oncologist who is considered one of the best in our area (The D.C./VA area). She (the surgeon) even has her own "dream team" of anesthesiologists, which is such a huge comfort to my mother, who is seriously scared of anesthesia. The surgeon said they will test the tissue immediately, so I assume that means during the surgery, but I will definitely get clarification on that, so thank you for prompting me to ask that question. Either way, the plan is to do a total hysterectomy as well as removal of a lymph node that shows "involvement". The surgeon said if it is indeed cancer my mother will have chemotherapy to treat any microscopic cancer that may be in her body.

I will definitely post as soon as I know something on Tuesday evening (her surgery is at 6pm). I am so humbled by and grateful for the quick responses and sincere support I've been shown so far.

I was first told on June fourth my a GYN at one hospital that I had ovarian cancer and he was sending me to onther hospital for a total hystorectmy the next day (sorry for the spelling chemo brain has the best of me latly). All this was said before he reach my bed to shake my hand and then he turned and walked out of the room. I called my mom (she was at home because I thought it was nothing when I went to the ER)and told her I need her to come to the hospital right now that I had cancer. He then walked back into the room and said I know that is a lot to take but I don't like to tippy toe around things I will call at doctor at st. Joe's in the morning and have you transfered over there for the surgery. About 30 minutes later my mom was there, we sat in the dark of the room (it was around 1am)and did not say much to anyone. She knew I needed to work things out in my head and did not need anyone to bother me. A little later a nurse came into my room and said to me and my mom so this is a hard night to hear you have cancer. My mom just looked at him like well ya and she said yes this is hard on her, he then said well and to have it to matasify is really hard, I guess by the look on my face on my mom he then tried to pull back what her said by saying that just means it moved out of it normal area. My mom asked him to leave so I could rest, that left me with ok I have cancer and I am going to die my mom said they can not know for sure yet they are only going by the pictures. So I was sent to St.Joe's and met my doctor he said not to worry he has looked over every thing and I don't have cancer I have a tumor that 99.9% of the time is not cancer. He said they would go in and remove my ovaries because they needed to be removed and anything else they thought would need it most likly a total hystorectamy. So I was in the hospital for seven days sent home for my lungs to heal and then we would schedule the surgery. with in four days my lungs filled back up and I was back in the hospital, they drianed my lungs and ended up doing the surgery that day so that my lungs would not fill up again (they had been drained two time prier to them being drained that day). So when I woke up from the surgery the resedent that helpped with the surgery was sitting beside my bed and said I am sorry to tell you this but you do have stage four ovarian cancer. My mom knew before I woke up that is how fast they can tell if you have cancer. I went from you have cancer, to you don't have cance, to you have stage four cancer. You will not know until they do that test I don't care if they say they can tell by looking don't go with that wait until the test it will save you heart break because I went through hell those nine days.

Anne

amy44

Radioactive34 said:

Radiology report
Read the radiology report...if you have a good radiologist, they can spot the difference in the tissue. Certain cancers have different densities and are obivous. I was able to access my labs and radiology report prior to seeing my gyn for a follow up. Actually reading my radiology report was the first real clue that I really did have cancer. That along with the CA 125 will give you a good indication of what is going on.

Though every doctor will tell you it is never certain until they biopsy the tissue. My gyn definitely said I did have cancer. But the oncologist gyn said wait to worry until after she confirms it.

Well, it's definitely cancer....
My mom had her surgery two weeks ago and although we're waiting on the final pathology, it is ovarian cancer, stage IIIc. She is recovering beautifully, every 24 hours sees a big improvement in strength and endurance. She starts chemo in 2 weeks, which we're all nervous about. On the bright side, the surgeon said the "debulking" operation went so well that it "ups" her 5-year survival rate to about 50%. Unfortunately, that 4 year survival rate does not include the recurrence of cancer.

For now, we focus on the small victories - she really is an amazing fighter....

kikz

amy44 said:

Well, it's definitely cancer....
My mom had her surgery two weeks ago and although we're waiting on the final pathology, it is ovarian cancer, stage IIIc. She is recovering beautifully, every 24 hours sees a big improvement in strength and endurance. She starts chemo in 2 weeks, which we're all nervous about. On the bright side, the surgeon said the "debulking" operation went so well that it "ups" her 5-year survival rate to about 50%. Unfortunately, that 4 year survival rate does not include the recurrence of cancer.

For now, we focus on the small victories - she really is an amazing fighter....

I am glad
to hear your mom is doing so well. You are so right about focusing on the small victories. It is the way we should always live but it really becomes imperative once this disease comes into our lives.

Wishing your mom the best as she begins chemo.

Karen

mopar

amy44 said:

Well, it's definitely cancer....
My mom had her surgery two weeks ago and although we're waiting on the final pathology, it is ovarian cancer, stage IIIc. She is recovering beautifully, every 24 hours sees a big improvement in strength and endurance. She starts chemo in 2 weeks, which we're all nervous about. On the bright side, the surgeon said the "debulking" operation went so well that it "ups" her 5-year survival rate to about 50%. Unfortunately, that 4 year survival rate does not include the recurrence of cancer.

For now, we focus on the small victories - she really is an amazing fighter....

SO GLAD TO HEAR YOUR MOM'S DOING WELL!
And there is much to be grateful for, including the 'small' victories. Blessings to you, your Mom and your family. With your Mom's fighting spirit, you will all get through this. And we'd like to help. So let us know what kind of chemo they plan on doing, how long, and if there's anything we can do to help.

(((HUGS))) & Prayers
Monika

AnneBehymer

amy44 said:

Well, it's definitely cancer....
My mom had her surgery two weeks ago and although we're waiting on the final pathology, it is ovarian cancer, stage IIIc. She is recovering beautifully, every 24 hours sees a big improvement in strength and endurance. She starts chemo in 2 weeks, which we're all nervous about. On the bright side, the surgeon said the "debulking" operation went so well that it "ups" her 5-year survival rate to about 50%. Unfortunately, that 4 year survival rate does not include the recurrence of cancer.

For now, we focus on the small victories - she really is an amazing fighter....

I am glad things are going
I am glad things are going well for your mom I will keep you all in our prayers. And about her being a fight I think we all have faced that day when we realized that there is a fight in all of us.

Love, Hugs, and prayers
Anne

carolenk

AnneBehymer said:

I am glad things are going
I am glad things are going well for your mom I will keep you all in our prayers. And about her being a fight I think we all have faced that day when we realized that there is a fight in all of us.

Love, Hugs, and prayers
Anne

What's better?
Would it have been better if you were convinced you would be dealing with cancer right from the beginning? Or do you think "hoping it isn't cancer" for that short time was better?

I kinda figured the radiologist was right. The other possibility for the CT scan result was abdominal TB--what were the chances of that?

Anyway, the good news is that your mom has an 80% chance of getting into remission. Best wishes to all of you.