Recently diagnosed with serous borderline ovarian tumor

@naturegirl5 My treatment is to do 3 rounds of chemo over 9 weeks and check me - than if necessary do surgery.
I am feeling ok- occasional pain but Ibuprofen (1) helps. I mentioned that when this all started my small boobs swelled and are tender. I wear a bandeau day and night -and my feet get swollen too. Dr says it's hormones. Anxious to get this started. My daughter wants to be with me- most say they welcome someone to stay. I expect I will sleep.
This site has been so great for me. I have learned so much and thanks to all of y'all that have replied.

@suzieq1980 Hope everything is going well for you

Thank you for sharing your story. My pathology results showed serous borderline ovarian tumor. It is a tumor that is not benign but not malignant. It can spread but is not invasive. There is a small percentage that can undergo malignant transformation. From what my general surgeon and the pathologist told me the prognosis is very good. However, there is a very small chance it is some other type of cancer but I guess it is very rare, like only 1 in 1million cases are diagnosed per year. I am clinging into the serous borderline ovarian tumor, but I have my first oncology appointment on Wednesday.

From what I have researched, surgery is usually curative with a 10% chance of recurrence in 10-15 years. I’m extremely nervous as the surgery is pretty extensive and will remove all my female organs (I’m over 60 so I don’t need them anymore) and probably part of my omentum. I have a lot of adhesions from a prior c-section 40 years ago which complicated my diagnostic laparoscopy and I figure will also complicate my surgery.

To say I anxious is an understatement. No chemo or radiation anticipated but probably won’t know that for sure until after the surgery if it is truly this borderline tumor.

You story gives me hope. Thank you. Wishing you well.

@suzieq1980
Don't worry about the hysterectomy if they can do it laparoscopically. I had it done this way and they also removed my gall bladder and and a gigantic liver cyst at the same time. A total of 7 mini-incision sites (usually 3-4 for just the hysterectomy). In the hospital for 1 night then home the next evening with pain killers. Took the pain killers for 2 days at home then was ok without - more concerned about constipation than pain! Had a slight infection in one site due to bra squishing it all the time but got some cream for it and it was ok. The best thing about the hysterectomy is that they can study the tissue samples to see if anywhere else was affected by cancer. I did not require radiation or chemo either after due to results as no lymph nodes were impacted and the cancer was stage 1A. I don't know if you have had your surgery already but if you haven't, try to ensure you get some regular exercise and eat a healthy diet for weeks before and after the surgery. Also I would encourage you to walk a lap around the hospital floor before you leave. It will help give you confidence when walking at home. After 2-3 days, I was up and around although you are warned against lifting anything >10lbs for 6-8 weeks.
Take care.

@janeincanada thank you for sharing. I am now 4 weeks post op. I had to have an open surgery due to moderate to severe adhesions unfortunately and my uterus was spared as my doctor explained there was no evidence of disease and it was adhered to my bowel. It would have been too risky to remove and I would have ended up with a colostomy. My ovaries, fallopian tubes and omentum have been removed. The final pathology is low grade serous carcinoma of the ovary. Apparently it started in my left ovary when everyone was concerned about my right. Right ovary came back clear, go figure.

Unfortunately chemo is the next step. I will go through 6 rounds 3 weeks apart followed by hormone blocking therapy for the rest of my life. With the low grade my prognosis is good as this type has a slower more controlled growth and surgery generally takes care of it but u has some deposits in my omentum which if the reason for the chemo.

Or thrilled with the chemo idea but I agreed to it. Sometimes this just doesn’t seem real. At least my recovery has been good. I suffered a post op infection after my diagnostic laparoscopy and I was sooo sick. My main problem after this last surgery was pain for about 10 days. I’m slowly returning to gentle activity and I’m maintaining my no lifting over 10 pounds and no pushing or pulling for 6 weeks.

@suzieq1980 I had a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer (endometroid adenocarcinoma, Sage 1a, FIGO Grade 1) ) and the surgery was laparoscopic as you described. I had a recurrence two years later and had external beam radiation and internal brachytherapy. Fortunately, at the time of recurrence chemotherapy was not recommended and just the radiation therapy. It's been 4 years since the recurrence and I have a cancer surveillance appointment next month (I have these every 6 months). My recovery from the hysterectomy was a little easier than yours with less pain however I followed all of the instructions of my cancer care team. I took easy and short walks until I felt more energy return. It was at least two weeks before I drove my car again. My nurse told me that while it looked like just a few "owies" externally I had the same organs removed as someone who had an open surgery. So, recovery should be slow with no heavy lifting or driving for a few weeks.

I'm relieved for you that with the low-grade diagnosis that your prognosis is good. I've learned and keep learning that one can live with cancer and not to think of my initial diagnosis and surgery as a done deal. It takes awareness on my part with diet, exercise, and lifestyle and then keeping those cancer surveillance appointments in order to remain healthy.

When will you start the chemotherapy? Are you retired from working or will you take time off from work?

@janeincanada thank you for sharing. I am now 4 weeks post op. I had to have an open surgery due to moderate to severe adhesions unfortunately and my uterus was spared as my doctor explained there was no evidence of disease and it was adhered to my bowel. It would have been too risky to remove and I would have ended up with a colostomy. My ovaries, fallopian tubes and omentum have been removed. The final pathology is low grade serous carcinoma of the ovary. Apparently it started in my left ovary when everyone was concerned about my right. Right ovary came back clear, go figure.

Unfortunately chemo is the next step. I will go through 6 rounds 3 weeks apart followed by hormone blocking therapy for the rest of my life. With the low grade my prognosis is good as this type has a slower more controlled growth and surgery generally takes care of it but u has some deposits in my omentum which if the reason for the chemo.

Or thrilled with the chemo idea but I agreed to it. Sometimes this just doesn’t seem real. At least my recovery has been good. I suffered a post op infection after my diagnostic laparoscopy and I was sooo sick. My main problem after this last surgery was pain for about 10 days. I’m slowly returning to gentle activity and I’m maintaining my no lifting over 10 pounds and no pushing or pulling for 6 weeks.

@suzieq1980 I had a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer (endometroid adenocarcinoma, Sage 1a, FIGO Grade 1) ) and the surgery was laparoscopic as you described. I had a recurrence two years later and had external beam radiation and internal brachytherapy. Fortunately, at the time of recurrence chemotherapy was not recommended and just the radiation therapy. It's been 4 years since the recurrence and I have a cancer surveillance appointment next month (I have these every 6 months). My recovery from the hysterectomy was a little easier than yours with less pain however I followed all of the instructions of my cancer care team. I took easy and short walks until I felt more energy return. It was at least two weeks before I drove my car again. My nurse told me that while it looked like just a few "owies" externally I had the same organs removed as someone who had an open surgery. So, recovery should be slow with no heavy lifting or driving for a few weeks.

I'm relieved for you that with the low-grade diagnosis that your prognosis is good. I've learned and keep learning that one can live with cancer and not to think of my initial diagnosis and surgery as a done deal. It takes awareness on my part with diet, exercise, and lifestyle and then keeping those cancer surveillance appointments in order to remain healthy.

When will you start the chemotherapy? Are you retired from working or will you take time off from work?

@naturegirl5
May I ask how you discovered you had a recurrence? Were there any symptoms?
I am constantly worrying about this despite knowing that everything was taken out via hysterectomy. I have regular 6 month checkups with my gyno (only had one post op so far) and the examination just seems to be a peek inside with some feeling with no samples taken. Should it be more?

@naturegirl5 luckily i am retired. I was able to retire early which was a good thing given what is happening with my health now. I will start chemo on 12/2. I will need 6 rounds 3 weeks apart. Not thrilled about it but I will do what I have to do.

I will definitely keep up with my surveillance appointments. My doctor did tell me my tumor markers were all within normal limits which she said will make monitoring a little more challenging but not impossible.

I definitely plan on focusing on my overall health…nutrition, sleep, physical activity etc. I feel like I’ve neglected my body for too long and now its showing the effects.

I will get through this. I can do hard things and I have my faith to lean on for strength.