Breast Cancer - Ovarian Cancer

Double Whammy said:

Of course, you're frightened

Something is different and they want to check it out. Plus you've had breast cancer and your sister had ovarian cancer.  Lots to be scared about.  Were you tested for the BRCA gene?  Do you know if you still have ovaries or not for sure?  It sure sounds like you have ovaries (hysterectomy is just removal of the uterus, complete usually means uterus and cervix.   Removal of ovaries is called a bilateral oophorectomy, so you have a hysterectomy AND bilateral oophorectomy if uterus and ovaries are removed).  Why does your gynecologist think you don't have ovaries? 

Ovarian and breast cancers can "go together" because of estrogen and some women have the BRCA mutation which is present in both breast and ovarian cancers (think Angelina Jolie). 

Come and ramble all you want.  My thought is to get to the bottom of this and it sounds like you are.  For your peace of mind, if nothing else, you need to know what's going on.  I hope it's "just a cyst" and it's the kind of cyst that just dissolves all by itself. 

Please keep us informed.  I had both breast and endometrial/uterine cancers at the same time.  My ovaries went with my uterus, fallopian tubes, and lymph nodes, because I had cancer.  If you were young enough to still get some use out of those ovaries (estrogen), and did not have cancer, they may have been left in place at the time of your hysterectomy.   When was that?

Suzanne

 

Suzanne,

Thanks for your reply.  I had a TOTAL hysterectomy 10 years ago when my sister came up with ovarian cancer as a precation, plus I had a bleeding problem.  My BRCA is negative as well as my ovarian markers.  They are leaning toward that a small piece of ovary might have been left behind thus the ovarian cyst or tumor.  I am going to a gynocologist today and also seeing about switching my care to a more advanced cancer treatment center in the area.  I have lost a lot of confidence in my oncologist as this time.  I might also add that my mother also had breast cancer so even without the BRCA it seems it's running in the family.

Thanks again.

MJ

Gm2873 said:

I go to Baylor Sammons Cancer

I go to Baylor Sammons Cancer center (they're great, BTW). They have a genetic counseling center there. Met with them and was tested. I'm BRCA2, which was a shock because there is no history on either side of the family. They test for about 20 other gene mutations that they have discovered are tied to BC and ovarian cancer. They don't know as much about those mutations, they are still doing a lot of research to try to figure that out. With your family history, you might want to have a full panel test (unless that was already done). Especially if you have children. Baylor wants all my siblings (both male and female tested) BRCA also causes increased risk for prostate cancer, and of course, it can be passed to the next generation. I had BC 20 years ago at age 44, it was Stage I. Did a mastectomy with reconstruction, and the chemo. Thought I had beat it. Then, almost 20 years to the day from the first cancer, found a lump in the other Breast. It was already Stage IV (one bone met to the left sacrum). Getting the genetic counseling helped me get a better understanding of what happened. My daughter is turning 40 this summer and she is scheduled to go in to get tested. 

Had no idea that had such testing!  They've only tested me for the BRCA1 (I think, it's the most common on) and now the one for some sort of tumor markers for ovarian cancer.  Both negative so he said I was good to go. I will have to do more research I see.

mjjones453 said:

Breast Cancer - Ovarian Cancer

MJ, I had something very similar. although I was perimenopausal, the Oncologist had been watching my ueterous/ overies since being on Tamoxifen. In October,  my overies had started to change.  I had a lot of issues.  After reviewing the tests, the Oncologist and Radiation Dr. decided that enough changes had taken place that they could not rule out Ovarian Cancer.  I had a bilateral salpingo oopherectomy (I still have my uterous).  I was under the care of a gyne oncologist who felt I did not need a whole hysterectormy.  With all the issues i was having, since having surgery, I feel so much better.  It was not cancer. I am so very thankful for that. Although not thankful for the aweful Hotflashes, and my memory muddles. 

Yesterday, I went to have my pap test, my regular gyne made me feel bad about not having a total hysterectomy.  Why take it out peace-meal.  I get so confused when Dr.s contradict eachother.  He thinks Black cohash works for hotflashes.  My Oncologist says that studies have proven it doesn't work.  

I sure hope that you get this resolved quickly with peace of mind.  Here's hoping for NO ovarian cancer! 

Went to my Gynocologist and she agrees that this thng should come OUT!  I am scheduled for laphroscopic surgery on April 7th.  She  says that she will get the whole thing out even it migt take some other surgery.  I am so very relieved.  She feels that the possiblility that it is cancer probably pretty slim since my ovarian tumor markers came back clear.  But it could be pre-cancerous so we should take no chances.  I feel great!  I have even rescheduled my vacation to go see my daughter and grandkids and am leaving tomorrow a.m.

Thanks for all your help, and I will keep you posted.

MJ