should I get a second opinion - help - new to this

arndog64
arndog64 Member Posts: 537
in Ovarian Cancer #1

Hello,

 

OK I have a 16cm complex mass, my CA125 is at 21.

My doc said she is going to surgically remove the mass and one ovary.

She said she will do a vertical incision for 2 reasons. 1. The mass is large and 2. she wants to look inside my stomach.

She said it still looks suspicious - fair and something about a left wall and right wall.

Is she heading in the right direction? By the way she is a ob/gyn.

Comments

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,506 Member
    #2
    I can't remember what kind of

    I can't remember what kind of test was done to determine this on you (a CA125 is not really a good indicator of anything - it is just a tool).  Did you have a CT? 

    I am a visitor from the uterine board, but if you think you should get a 2nd opinion I think you should listen to your inner voice.  Maybe you can see if you can speak with a gynecological oncologist.  It would terrible to have one surgery for them to turn around and have to go back and open you up for more - and then - you really DO want a gyn/onc - not just a ob/gyn.

    I remember speaking with one woman, she moved to S.C. and the ob/gyn she saw said "she could do the surgery" well she did a TERRIBLE job and it really could be a case of malpractice. 

     

  • ovarian_support
    ovarian_support Member Posts: 44
    #3
    second opinion

    My advice based on my experience with my mother, is always get a second opinion, especially if you have any doubts you don't want to be beating yourself up over it later.  You can also research your doctor by going to health grades or vitals and see what her other patients think of her and what conditions and procedures she usually does.  I believe if it is suspected to be cancer then an oncolgoist is always recommened, preferably a gynecologist simply because they know more of what they are looking for.  Best of luck to you.

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #4
    ovarian_support said:

    second opinion

    My advice based on my experience with my mother, is always get a second opinion, especially if you have any doubts you don't want to be beating yourself up over it later.  You can also research your doctor by going to health grades or vitals and see what her other patients think of her and what conditions and procedures she usually does.  I believe if it is suspected to be cancer then an oncolgoist is always recommened, preferably a gynecologist simply because they know more of what they are looking for.  Best of luck to you.

    Arndog, sorry you are facing this

    Hi, Arndog ,

     I am from the uterine board. I can 't stress this enough - have a gynecological oncologist assess your situation and do the surgery if necessary. Gyne oncologist physicians are the experts.  i highly recommend you see one in order to get the best treatment. If you have an ob-gyn do your surgery, you may be facing an unnecessay second invasive surgery in order to have everything done that should have been done in the first place. 

    Wishing you the best, Cathy

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #5
    Amdog64:Have you gotten any

    Amdog64:

    Have you gotten any scans?   A PET scan would be great if  you can get one.  Although insurance companies may want you to get a CT scan first.   With regard to the left and right wall, since the mass is large, I think they want to be sure that they have clear margins (able to extract the mass completely).  If you don't have clear margins, then it means the mass is attached to some part of the wall and/or organ.

    I would definitely get a second opinion.   I was told that I had a recurrent mass and that it was inoperable and they wanted to do treatment first and possible surgery.  I got another opinion from a totally different facility and they were able to remove it and had clear margins and without treatment.  By getting a second opinion, it may help your with your decision making.

    My best to you.

     

  • ovarian_support
    ovarian_support Member Posts: 44
    #6
    ovarian_support said:

    second opinion

    My advice based on my experience with my mother, is always get a second opinion, especially if you have any doubts you don't want to be beating yourself up over it later.  You can also research your doctor by going to health grades or vitals and see what her other patients think of her and what conditions and procedures she usually does.  I believe if it is suspected to be cancer then an oncolgoist is always recommened, preferably a gynecologist simply because they know more of what they are looking for.  Best of luck to you.

    my apologizes, i was

    my apologizes, i was re-reading my post and i'm afraid i wasn't very clear, when i said 'oncologist preferably a gynecolgist' what i meant to say was gynecological oncologist.  again i'm sorry i didn't mean to confuse and fully agree with the other responders.

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