Worried about Ovarian Cancer

Posted by JMac @ch0c00ki35, Oct 22, 2019

Dr found a 13cm simple cyst with clean borders on my right ovary, via ultrasound. Heavy periods with severe cramping, and it's getting worse. Dr asked for bloodwork, CA125 came back at 83, but everything else is normal. Sent for abdominal/pelvic CT with intravenous and oral contrast. Dr called today, no news on cyst, but stated my lymph nodes in pelvic area and aorta are enlarged. Referred to larger hospital OBGYN. I'm 38 years old, overweight, no family history of ovarian cancer, but most women in my family have had problem periods, ovarian cysts, and hysterectomy/oophorectomy. I guess I'm just wondering what my chances are of this being cancer, and what's next.

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@ch0c00ki35

Hey all! I'm tired and sore, but I saw a GYN/ONC today, and he and a visiting MD examined me and came to the same conclusion; My uterus is hard and enlarged, in fact, it's a 15 week size. I also have a 13cm simple cyst on my right ovary. I have to repeat the CA125 test next Friday, but regardless of the results, I AM SCHEDULED FOR A HYSTERECTOMY in 2 weeks! Yay for progress! Biopsies will be done as things are removed, and staging done if needed. He will try to save my left ovary if it looks ok. Sleeping is difficult, I've been up since 4am today; my hips hurt from laying on them and I have pains shooting down the front of my legs. I'm not going to worry about cancer right now, just getting this painful gut taken care of.

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A hysterectomy sounds menacing, but truly it is not a big deal! Many women today have it done after they are over child bearing age, simply to limit the probability of various types of gynecological cancers. Mine was done on a Friday, I went home the following morning and needed no medication. The scarring is minimal. Good luck!

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@starko

A hysterectomy sounds menacing, but truly it is not a big deal! Many women today have it done after they are over child bearing age, simply to limit the probability of various types of gynecological cancers. Mine was done on a Friday, I went home the following morning and needed no medication. The scarring is minimal. Good luck!

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Because of the size of my uterus, I will be cut open from pubic bone to belly button.

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@ch0c00ki35

Hey all! I'm tired and sore, but I saw a GYN/ONC today, and he and a visiting MD examined me and came to the same conclusion; My uterus is hard and enlarged, in fact, it's a 15 week size. I also have a 13cm simple cyst on my right ovary. I have to repeat the CA125 test next Friday, but regardless of the results, I AM SCHEDULED FOR A HYSTERECTOMY in 2 weeks! Yay for progress! Biopsies will be done as things are removed, and staging done if needed. He will try to save my left ovary if it looks ok. Sleeping is difficult, I've been up since 4am today; my hips hurt from laying on them and I have pains shooting down the front of my legs. I'm not going to worry about cancer right now, just getting this painful gut taken care of.

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JMac, I had postmenopausal bleeding and cramps which led me my gynecologist. Within days after an endometrial cancer diagnosis I was at Mayo Clinic where, I had a radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oopherectomy (fallopian tubes and ovaries also removed). I did not have any pain prior to that but with a diagnosis of endometrial cancer it was the right decision. I have had friends who've had longstanding pain and discomfort as you've had. One of my friends was pain-free within hours of awakening from her hysterectomy and was so greatly relieved. So, with that, I'd like offer encouragement that your pain will disappear and that will be a great relief. I understand your anxiety and fear. It's a very natural response. It sounds to me that you've consulted the physicians best equipped to help you through this. Please let us know as you proceed and know that all of us are wishing you the best. naturegirl5

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My gyn oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester is Dr. Amanika Kumar. She is empathic, answered our many questions, was responsive, and her whole team was awesome. I wrote her a thank you note after my surgery - I've never written a thank you note for anything like this in the past but I was so moved by her care and expertise.

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I found one lymph node swollen under my armpit and a lump. I was prescribed antibiotics for it. While waiting for the lymph node swelling to go down, five swollen lymph nodes were found near my groin. One on the right side and four on the left side. The lymph node swelling under my arm subsided. However, the swellings near my groin have not. My obgyn wants to do an ultrasound. She wants to rule out ovarian cancer. All of my testing has come back negative. I have not had the CA125 test. Ever since she stated cancer my mind has been on over drive. I have been so worried. Prior to my visit, I had no symptoms. Now my stomach feels bloated. I am urinating frequently and I am having muscle aches. I don’t know if I am experiencing side effects from the Dulcolax I took two days ago, I have anxiety, or if these symptoms are being caused by an underlying concern. Am I being a worry wart?

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@jaydoug2021

I found one lymph node swollen under my armpit and a lump. I was prescribed antibiotics for it. While waiting for the lymph node swelling to go down, five swollen lymph nodes were found near my groin. One on the right side and four on the left side. The lymph node swelling under my arm subsided. However, the swellings near my groin have not. My obgyn wants to do an ultrasound. She wants to rule out ovarian cancer. All of my testing has come back negative. I have not had the CA125 test. Ever since she stated cancer my mind has been on over drive. I have been so worried. Prior to my visit, I had no symptoms. Now my stomach feels bloated. I am urinating frequently and I am having muscle aches. I don’t know if I am experiencing side effects from the Dulcolax I took two days ago, I have anxiety, or if these symptoms are being caused by an underlying concern. Am I being a worry wart?

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Let’s wait for the ultrasound and let’s see if they want to biopsy one of the lymph nodes in the groin.
Take a breath, I have been through something similar but a little different. I know the feeling when they say cancer. But she said rule it out, so go with that.
Thinking of you as you go through this. You are not alone, a whole community out here for if you need it %, keep us posted.

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