Ovarian Tumor

sunsets
sunsets Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Thank you for reading my message. I was told on Thursday that I have a 12.3 x 9.9 cm tumor/cyst/who knows on my left ovary which was diagnosed by ultrasound. It was originally discovered because it blocked my Dr. from doing a routine pap smear. I am 49 and am ashamed to say I had not been to a Dr. since 1998. CA-125 was done on Thursday, but I have not gotten the results. I am hoping for the best, but want to be prepared. The ultrasound diagnoses reads there are multiple thin and thick seperations within the mass/no evidence of increased vascularity and no evidence of free fluid or additional masses. Could someone tell me if that is a good sign? Thank you, again.

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    It's good news that there is 'no vascularity or fluid'. I'm not familiar with the 'thin and thick separations' diagnosis. Even if it is malignant, it may have been caught early, good for removing it, treating it, etc. Don't let this wear on you too much. Let us know when you get your CA125 reading. In the meantime, prayers are with you. This is a wonderful support center, with lots of caring and experienced people. Keep in touch.
    Monika
  • sunsets
    sunsets Member Posts: 4
    #3
    mopar said:

    It's good news that there is 'no vascularity or fluid'. I'm not familiar with the 'thin and thick separations' diagnosis. Even if it is malignant, it may have been caught early, good for removing it, treating it, etc. Don't let this wear on you too much. Let us know when you get your CA125 reading. In the meantime, prayers are with you. This is a wonderful support center, with lots of caring and experienced people. Keep in touch.
    Monika

    Monika, thank you for the words of encouragement. Right now I am fine one minute and teary the next. I have a wonderful, supportive boyfriend and family, but I have a real sense of relief knowing I can turn to other women who have gone through this and understand. Do you think the size of the tumor has any relevance. It seems pretty large, yet I havent had any real symptoms. If it is malignant, how would it spread? Would there be any indications? I will be keep you posted :)
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #4
    The catch phrase for ovarian cancer is 'it whispers, so listen'. I had no symptoms, just a uterine fibroid that needed to be removed. But the doctor then removed the ovary because it had a 'cyst' which turned out to be ovarian. So I consider myself very fortunate it was caught early. Usually, once you have symptoms things have advanced. However, this does not mean it is not treatable. So, your lack of symptoms is also encouraging. I don't think the size has relevance. And most cancers spread typically the same way - I would imagine malignant cells just find their way to other parts of the body. My mother had colon cancer, but it had spread to the liver and lungs. They knew that, becuase the cancer was at it's highest concentration in the colon,less in the liver, and even less in the lungs, that it began in the colon and worked it's way up. A colonoscopy confirmed this.

    How old are you? Some women are quite young when diagnosed, but I was diagnosed at 44 1/2 years old. I still consider that young!

    Maybe you can call your doctor to get the results this week on your CA125. The test usually takes a few days longer than general blood work. The best to you and I'll be waiting to here.
    Monika
  • tori1
    tori1 Member Posts: 2
    #5
    Regarding size of tumor: I had a 17 cm tumor(and hysterectomy + appendectomy) removed from my right ovary on 7/19. My gyn oncologist said before biopsy that he thought it was benign because of the large size. However,during surgery he found a cancerous stage 2 tumor inside that enormous benign tumor (a tumor within a tumor). He believes the outside benign tumor "shielded" the other organs from the malignant tumor that was within. Is this the multiple thin and thick separations you are talking about? I was also told that if the tumor moves easily and is smooth and not bumpy, it is probably benign. As far as CA-125 my gyn didn't want to run the test because he says there are often false negatives. The good news is that my lymph nodes all checked out clean, so I am given a clean bill of health. BTW, I am 49 as well and also skipped seeing my gyn for 2-3 years. Hoping the best for you.
  • sunsets
    sunsets Member Posts: 4
    #6
    tori1 said:

    Regarding size of tumor: I had a 17 cm tumor(and hysterectomy + appendectomy) removed from my right ovary on 7/19. My gyn oncologist said before biopsy that he thought it was benign because of the large size. However,during surgery he found a cancerous stage 2 tumor inside that enormous benign tumor (a tumor within a tumor). He believes the outside benign tumor "shielded" the other organs from the malignant tumor that was within. Is this the multiple thin and thick separations you are talking about? I was also told that if the tumor moves easily and is smooth and not bumpy, it is probably benign. As far as CA-125 my gyn didn't want to run the test because he says there are often false negatives. The good news is that my lymph nodes all checked out clean, so I am given a clean bill of health. BTW, I am 49 as well and also skipped seeing my gyn for 2-3 years. Hoping the best for you.

    Mopar and Tori...First I want to thank you both for taking the time to address my questions/fears. This cite has been such a source of information and support. I recieved the results of my CA-125...it came in at 12. I was soooo relieved. Could a false negative come in that low? I go to the gyn oncologist on thursday, and will certainly ask alot of questions (nervous). Thank you soooo much, ladies!
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #7
    sunsets said:

    Mopar and Tori...First I want to thank you both for taking the time to address my questions/fears. This cite has been such a source of information and support. I recieved the results of my CA-125...it came in at 12. I was soooo relieved. Could a false negative come in that low? I go to the gyn oncologist on thursday, and will certainly ask alot of questions (nervous). Thank you soooo much, ladies!

    12 is wonderful news! Many here would give anything to have that number. Remember, however, that number can fluctuate for a number of reasons - a weakened immune system, a cold or virus, stress, endometriosis (which I had), and more. But what my doctor always looked for were consistent upward changes. So while my level remained anywhere between 11 and 19 for 6 years, it was a steady upward climb (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) that signaled a problem to him. So maybe your doctor will just monitor you for a few months to see what happens. In meantime my guess is that he/she will be reasonably happy with 12. But certainly ask if you can get follow-up blood work over the next seveal months.

    Another suggestion is to keep a journal. Maybe each day just jot down a few notes - how you feel, any aches or pains, stressful day, etc. That way you can accurately report anything to your doctor and also see any relationship to symptoms during the time you had blood work. Nothing is 100%, but those are things you can do to help yourself.

    Let us know what the doctor says. In the meantime, enjoy this 'peace' you have. Hugs to you!

    Monika
    P.S. What city do you live in? Just curious. I've corresponded with a couple of women who happened to go to my doctor here in Michigan.
  • sunsets
    sunsets Member Posts: 4
    #8
    mopar said:

    12 is wonderful news! Many here would give anything to have that number. Remember, however, that number can fluctuate for a number of reasons - a weakened immune system, a cold or virus, stress, endometriosis (which I had), and more. But what my doctor always looked for were consistent upward changes. So while my level remained anywhere between 11 and 19 for 6 years, it was a steady upward climb (20, 22, 24, 28, 30) that signaled a problem to him. So maybe your doctor will just monitor you for a few months to see what happens. In meantime my guess is that he/she will be reasonably happy with 12. But certainly ask if you can get follow-up blood work over the next seveal months.

    Another suggestion is to keep a journal. Maybe each day just jot down a few notes - how you feel, any aches or pains, stressful day, etc. That way you can accurately report anything to your doctor and also see any relationship to symptoms during the time you had blood work. Nothing is 100%, but those are things you can do to help yourself.

    Let us know what the doctor says. In the meantime, enjoy this 'peace' you have. Hugs to you!

    Monika
    P.S. What city do you live in? Just curious. I've corresponded with a couple of women who happened to go to my doctor here in Michigan.

    Well...just got back from the specialist...he doesnt think it is ovarian at all...which would account for the low CA125. After he examined me he told me the tumor is attached to the uterus and envelops the ovary. He is concerned that the tumor contains thick/thin membranes, which makes it a complex mass rather than a simple cyst. He said that there was still a risk that it is cancerous, but of course we wont know till he takes it out. He told me he will have to take the ovary and uterus....and since I am in menopause I should have the other ovary removed, but that it is my decision. This certainly wasnt what I expected to hear! Its funny, though. I am not as upset as I was initially. Acceptance?

    Monika....I am in North Miami. ~smile~ Lived in Michigan many moons ago, though.

    Will keep you all posted,,,,but I may be in the wrong "room".

    Hugs to all!
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #9
    sunsets said:

    Well...just got back from the specialist...he doesnt think it is ovarian at all...which would account for the low CA125. After he examined me he told me the tumor is attached to the uterus and envelops the ovary. He is concerned that the tumor contains thick/thin membranes, which makes it a complex mass rather than a simple cyst. He said that there was still a risk that it is cancerous, but of course we wont know till he takes it out. He told me he will have to take the ovary and uterus....and since I am in menopause I should have the other ovary removed, but that it is my decision. This certainly wasnt what I expected to hear! Its funny, though. I am not as upset as I was initially. Acceptance?

    Monika....I am in North Miami. ~smile~ Lived in Michigan many moons ago, though.

    Will keep you all posted,,,,but I may be in the wrong "room".

    Hugs to all!

    I'm so happy to hear your 'preliminary' good news. I know nothing is certain until your surgery, but I hope this gives you some breathing space.

    Please keep us informed. While this is a wonderful site for support, prayers and info, it's also nice to share in the 'success' stories and good news that are passed along. Hugs are always valuable no matter what the reason!
    Prayers and lots of hugs!
    Monika

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