Ovarian cancer symptoms and tests

mschaben

Hi, I actually usually post on the breast cancer board as I was diagnosed in nov with stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma grade 3 with lymphnode involvement.  In dec I had bilateral mastectomy and removal if fifteen nodes.  I did six rounds of aggressive chemo and am still doing my herceptin til end of dec this year.  I also did 32 rounds of radiation.  Long story short in July I started having non stop excruciating low back pain and no one can really pinpoint the problem other than chemo induced pain as well as tomixifen and a slightly herniated disc which I'm assuming that has been there for some time. I have been experiencing ovary and abdominal pain last couple weeks .  I went to my gynecologist and he did vaginal ultra sound and could tell I was in a lot of pain but didn't see any cysts or anything.  He did do the ca125 test and will be doing ct scan Monday.  I know sometimes the blood test can be normal and scans not show anything. He said depending on what my test and scan shows we should do laparoscopy to see why the pain.  Can anyone relate or help me figure this out.  My aunt also has breast cancer as well and now ovarian cancer but she had fluid build up.  Any information would be great.  Always as a cancer paitent new consiitent pains cause a lot of worry .. I also forget to mention I am 40 and was pre menopausal prior to my breast cancer but am in menopause from chemo and tomoxifen 

Thank you 

Mary

mschaben

Genes

Also forgot to mention that I had brca 1&2 test done and was neg but so was my aunts and she has both.  I just recently have been tested for 25 more genes but haven't got that back yet 

flex

lower back pain

similar to you, but without the radiation, we noticed an excruciating lower back pain after extensive chemo treatments. it is likely that your caregiver physicians would have tested your kidney function and cleared them or eliminated them as the source of lower back pain.  nevertheless, in the spirit of sharing information on this forum, nothing can be assumed or slighest detail overlooked.... wanting you well and cleared of this painful condition.

Tethys41

mschaben said:

Genes

Also forgot to mention that I had brca 1&2 test done and was neg but so was my aunts and she has both.  I just recently have been tested for 25 more genes but haven't got that back yet 

Syptoms

I would also be concerned with those symptoms and your history.  Don't settle for a clear ultrasound if your pain continues.  Mine was perfectly normal.  Seven weeks later, I had another one that showed tumors throughout my pelvis. If your tests come back negative, you may want to request a pregnancy test.  It will come back positive if cancer is involved.  Also, you should be aware that Tamoxifen increases your risk of uterine cancer.  I hope your pain is nothing serious.

Bellafelice

Ovarian cancer?

Can anyone here tell me if the following may be indicative of ovarian cancer? (I hope I posted in the correct spot to ask this): Three weeks of heavy bleeding where a pad had to be changed hourly; bloating; trouble doing situps; a soft mass found by dr. in ovary area ? Dr. just seen this week-had blood work and a sonogram going to be done soon. I know no one can say anything for sure until testing is done, but I was just wondering if these are signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer that anyone has experienced here. (Other info-50 years old in good health overall)

LorettaMarshall

Bellafelice said:

Ovarian cancer?

Can anyone here tell me if the following may be indicative of ovarian cancer? (I hope I posted in the correct spot to ask this): Three weeks of heavy bleeding where a pad had to be changed hourly; bloating; trouble doing situps; a soft mass found by dr. in ovary area ? Dr. just seen this week-had blood work and a sonogram going to be done soon. I know no one can say anything for sure until testing is done, but I was just wondering if these are signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer that anyone has experienced here. (Other info-50 years old in good health overall)

Bella~U need 2 B seen by gynecologic oncologist 4 best testing

Dear “Bella”

Just wondering since you’ve been reading here since 2008.  Do you have other health problems?

Three weeks of heavy bleeding???  All I can do is give you some good web link references that you can use as a guide.  As for my own experience, I went to the doctor with a small soft-movable nodule on the left side of my abdomen slightly below my waist. I thought I had a hernia.  When I first discovered the nodule, it felt like it was no larger than a quarter.  Except  one weekend I felt a bit nauseous and had some groin pain—my only symptom.

To make a long story short, I went to the ER because I had promised a friend that I would go to the ER if I had that pain again.  I already had a scheduled appointment with a surgeon to check out what I thought was a hernia.  I had been to my GP and he thought perhaps it was a hernia as well, so he just scheduled an appointment for me.

A CT at the ER revealed “Peritoneal Carcinomatosis”, a Stage IV cancer.  Within 3 weeks I arrived at the University of Pittsburgh Medical center UPMC for a SECOND OPINION.  There a PET scan and exploratory surgery revealed cancer was in my ovaries as well.    UPMC said tumors were too large and too many to perform Cytoreductive Surgery.  Pre-op chemo of Carboplatin and Taxol was recommended.

I came home and had a 6-treatment chemo session of Carboplatin and Taxol, which reduced the tumors enough to undergo Cytoreductive surgery.  Then CRS was performed on July 1, 2003 @ UPMC.  That surgery was not meant to be curative, but was to remove all non-essential organs to which the cancer could easily spread.  So my gallbladder, spleen, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and omentum were removed and my intestines were resectioned. I won’t go into further detail here about the adjuvant (after surgery) chemo & radiation treatments, and the continual rising of my CA125 numbers.  That’s the “endurance” test we Stage IVs go through just to stay alive.  I always say, I have a God-given soul peace but there’s a war going on between my physical body and cancer.    

So if I were you, I would be making plans to be seen by a gynecologic oncologist ASAP.  I would skip the GP visit, unless your insurance demands that you consult with them first.  Let’s just be honest, with symptoms like this, there’s no good excuse for ruling out the possibility of Ovarian Cancer.  So often, it seems to be “silent” and when it’s discovered it often comes in like a roaring lion.  That’s how it was with me.   With the symptoms you describe, if I were you, I wouldn’t be “tinkering around the edges”.  Better to be safe than sorry. 

Loretta

Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV/ first diagnosed Nov. 2012 so I’m blessed to still be alive.

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1.  https://www.sgo.org/patients-caregivers-survivors/what-is-a-gynecologic-oncologist/

“A gynecologic oncologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancers that are located on a woman’s reproductive organs. Gynecologic oncologists have completed obstetrics and gynecology residency and then pursued subspecialty training through a gynecologic oncology fellowship. Residency takes four years to complete, while fellowship involves three to four additional years of intensive training about surgical, chemotherapeutic, radiation, and research techniques that are important to providing the best care for gynecologic cancers. Physicians who complete this training are eligible to take both the obstetrics and gynecology board exam and the gynecologic oncology board exam.

The gynecologic oncologist serves as the captain of a woman’s gynecologic cancer care team. It is important to consult with a gynecologic oncologist before treatment is started so that the best treatment regimen is chosen for you.

Seek a Specialist

SGO’s Seek a Specialist includes actively practicing specialists in all professions related to gynecologic cancer.”

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2.  https://www.oncolink.org/cancers/gynecologic/ovarian-cancer/ovarian-cancer-the-basics

“Ovarian Cancer: The Basics

Ovarian cancer is caused by cells in the ovary growing out of control. As the number of cells grow, they form into a tumor. Ovarian cancer that has spread from the ovary to another part of the body is called metastatic cancer.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for developing ovarian cancer include: advanced age, family history, genetic mutations, first period at an early age, or an increased number of menstrual cycles and ovulations, which are caused by issues such as late menopause, having not been pregnant, having children after age 30, lack of use of birth control pills, or have never breastfed.

Screening

There are no routine screening tests. There are a few tests are being studied, particularly in women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer. 

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are often ignored by the patient or the healthcare provider because they can be vague. These include:

• Bloating

• Pelvic or abdominal pain

• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

• Urinary symptoms such as urgency or frequency

  While these symptoms are more often due to other medical problems, women with ovarian cancer report that the symptoms persist and represent a change from their normal.

  Women who experience these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see a healthcare provider (preferably a gynecologist) for evaluation.

  Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

  When your healthcare provider suspects ovarian cancer, they will order further tests which may include: a pelvic exam, blood tests, transvaginal ultrasound and ultimately surgery. Surgery is the only way to diagnosis and stage ovarian cancer…”

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  3.  http://news.cancerconnect.com/types-of-cancer/ovarian-cancer/ovarian-cancer-overview/

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  4.  http://www.cancercenter.com/ovarian-cancer/symptoms/?source

  “…Ovarian cancer symptoms

  Symptoms of ovarian cancer may be confused with less serious, noncancerous conditions. If you experience persistent symptoms for more than a few weeks or notice a change in your ovarian health, consult a doctor for follow-up.

  Common symptoms may include:

• Abdominal bloating, indigestion or nausea

• Changes in appetite, such as a loss of appetite or feeling full sooner

• Pressure in the pelvis or lower back

• A more frequent or urgent need to urinate and/or constipation

• Changes in bowel movements

• Increased abdominal girth

• Tiredness or low energy

• Changes in menstruation

  Ovarian cysts, masses or tumors

  A pelvic mass may represent either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) conditions.

  Symptoms of ovarian cysts, masses or tumors may include:

• Pelvic pain

• Pain shortly before or after the start of your period

• Pressure, swelling or pain in the abdomen

• A dull ache in the lower back and thighs

• Difficulty emptying your bladder

• Pain during sex

• Abnormal bleeding

• Nausea or vomiting

  See your doctor for an evaluation if you suspect you have a pelvic mass. During a physical exam, your doctor may be able to feel the mass. He or she may then order an ultrasound to determine the size, shape, location and composition of the lump before recommending what you should do next, which may include surveillance or surgery. Learn more about ovarian cancer symptoms by reading, “Pelvic pain and ovarian cysts: Do they mean cancer?”

  Learn about ovarian cancer risk factors…”

_____________End of references______________________

Bellafelice

Thanks a million Loretta

Dear Loretta-I cannot thank you enough for all of your information and super fast reply. This is my situation-my husband was recently diagnosed with a retun or kidney cancer after 9 years with no mets (To our knowledge)- in a ct scan in 2015, a radiologist failed to report these mets.  This past Feb. he had a prostate infection -and it caused him to go to the dr. -and a CT scan ensued -finding the mets. He is considered stage 4 because with kidney cancer any spread outside kidney is considered 4.

(Long story unrelated -please excuse)He is in treatment with a kidney cancer specialist appointment coming up-after having had SBRT ( radiation) and chemo (targeted therapy pills). So he is being taken care of in the best possible way at this point.

 

Now onto the ovarian cancer concern-The ovarian cancer question emanates from my daughter-in-law. She was absoltuely refusing to go to a dr. for the past several weeks regardless of my sons practically begging her to go. My husband spontaneously said "I think she has cancer"-and I began to think about it too. She went to her family dr. on Thursday and today she is having a "sonogram". I sure wish she will go to an oncologist. She does not have health insurance-but money is not a problem as we will gladly pay for whatever she needs. She never told my son she did not have health insurance, or my hubby would have already put her on the family business health insurance long ago. She is a lovely person but my son says she is extremely stubborn. I said after a week of heavy bleeding, let alone two, its ER time. I see no problem in getting whatever she has going on checked by an oncologist-and if its nothing, at least we know-if its cancer, we can still get her help (if its not too late).

Massive thanks and I will keep you posted-Cannot thank you enough

  I will let you know what is happening this week. I will try to get her to agree to go to an oncologist-the local one my hubby has is excellent. (Due to fact Kidney cancer is rarer, hubby also is consulting a kidney cancer specialist too).