too long until we can see a specialist - ovarian CA?

hypoconhubby
hypoconhubby Member Posts: 1
in Ovarian Cancer #1

My wife and I are in limbo right now, so I thought I would turn to people instead of Dr. Google.  My wife tried invitro in 2006 and ended up losing her left ovary due to a "nick" during retrieval that caused a hemorraghic cyst that cut off the blood supply.  She hasn't had normal menstral cycles since.  Over the past 6 months to a year, she is having heavier and heavier flow along with clotting and sometimes mid-cycle spotting.  She went to the OB/GYN as they found two palpable masses on/around the uterus.  One midline and slightly inferior (fairly small by palpation), the other is left of midline and oriented laterally (this one felt a little larger). The OB felt like these were fibroids, so ordered an ultrasound.  We got the results today and the OB says it was negative for fibroids and the only thing of note was a tilted uterus. No masses or anything else that would account for the palpable "masses".  However, even I know that an ovary volume of 27.6cm3 is not "normal". I can't get into another OB/GYN that takes our coverage until between Christmas and New Year's and can't get into a GynOnc doctor until well after the first of the year. 

Relevant background: 42 y/o with 4 children, all C-section births.  Significant family history for female cancers including cervical, ovarian and breast.  Personal history of hypothyroid. Mammogram and Pap negative (last week).

US findings: Uterus measurements - UTV: 128cm3; UTH: 5.63cm; UTL: 8.65cm; UTW: 5.02cm; Endometrium: 1.21cm  

Right Ovary measurements - ROV: 27.6cm3; ROH: 3.18cm; ROL: 4.96cm; ROW: 3.36

The only follicle measured was 1.94cm with a volume of 3.83cm3

I can't imagine going through the entire holiday season in limbo, especially with a wife that has been convinced since childhood that she would die from some sort of female related cancer.  I honestly don't know what I can do to find out more without seeing another specialist.  Should I pay the $250 to check a CA 125 lab in the mean time? Is there anything else we could be doing right now?  Any help or information would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #2
    Testing

    Hypo,

    Sorry you and your wife are going through this.  Very stressful, for sure.  A CA-125 might be helpful, but the test can give a false positive, especially if she has inflammation in her pelvis, which it sounds as if she might.  Many tumors produce HcG hormone, which is the same hormone a pregnant woman produces.  You could start with a pregnancy test, and if it's negative, it might give you both peace of mind.  If it is positive, then you might feel a CA-125 is worth the money.  I hope things work out for her and this is nothing serious.  Good luck.

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,486 Member
    #3
    hypoconhubby, Tethys41 gave a

    hypoconhubby, Tethys41 gave a great summary.  The waiting is the WORST part of dealing with any type of illness like this.  In the meantime, if your wife is really having a hard time sleeping, etc....maybe they can give her something to relax a little.  I know I was a complete wrech until I saw the surgeon and felt better after talking with him even though I still had to wait for surgery.  I did ask him "what are you doing tomorrow?" I wanted to get on with it as quickly as possible.  Take care.

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