Omental cake.

[Suzanne333]

I have stage 3 with an omental cake. I was told that after even the first round of chemo ( I'm having the third tomorrow) the omental cake would have Shrunk. It did. It became so I could hardly feel it. In the last week or so however, after I eat , I can feel it easily again. It goes down after a while. Maybe it's the bowel pushing it forwards. I don't know but I'm feeling very worried. X

[Yoshbosh]

Hi Suzanne,

I'm afraid I don't have the answer for you (and I'm not familiar with the term omental cake), but do you think you could speak to someone when you are at your chemo appointment? They might be able to help put your mind at ease. xx

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Suzanne Hopefully they can put your mind at ease at your appointment tomorrow. Please let us know how you get on. Wishing you well. Kathy xx

[Shellygirl]

Try not worry I know this is difficult ... We can't change things by worrying it just makes us feel bad... Speak to your onc and trust in them to do right thing... I've never heard of omental cake I've had my omentum removed. Hope you get sorted soon ... Big hugs let us know how it goes and what omental cake is ?? 😍😍

[Suzanne333 in reply to Shellygirl]

Thank you. An omental cake is where the omentum folds over . Cancer cells cause this. It's called a cake as it apparently resembles a cake. Feels to me like a Swiss roll. Lol.

I will ask tomorrow if it's anything to worry about. Hopefully not. Xx

[Shellygirl in reply to Suzanne333]

I hope not too... Interesting never heard of that I've learnt something new ... All the best for tomorrow xx

[Suzanne333 in reply to Shellygirl]

Thank you. 👍🏻 x

[Dollysmum in reply to Suzanne333]

Hi Suzanne,

You've educated me there. I've never heard of an omental cake either. Are you to have surgery? Will they remove it?

Debs xx

[Suzanne333 in reply to Dollysmum]

Hi.

Yes, surgery is planned after my third chemo (which is today)

I've a CT scan on 22nd sept. Hopefully this will show the omental cake has shrunk enough for surgery. If not I will have more chemo until it has.

This is why I'm a bit concerned as initially I could feel that the 'cake ' has shrunk but now it feels more prominent again especially after eating. I will get the doctor at the chemo unit to check it and give me answers. Xx

[rteeter in reply to Suzanne333]

Hi Suzanne I was just diagnosed with one too but etiology of why is undetermined after the CT scan with contrast. Can you tell me more about your experience

[Suzanne333 in reply to rteeter]

Hi.

An omental cake or omental caking is where the omentum folds over on itself. That's what I was told.

Before I had the ascites, I could feel a sausage type lump below my ribs on my left side. Nobody seemed to think anything of it. It wasn't until I had the ascites drained and a CT scan that they referred to it as thickening.

I had a biopsy on it which determined ovarian cancer

When I started chemo, the lump ( omentum) wasn't there anymore.

I went on to have a full hysterectomy and removal of the omentum.

I'm fine now and in complete remission as from January.

I hope this helps a bit. There's a lot on google about omental caking.

Anything else you would like to know I'll be happy to reply.

Hope you are ok. Xxx

[Tetonvlymom in reply to Suzanne333]

Other things besides cancer can cause omental cakes.

[Tesla_7US]

Suzanne333, My Omental Caking was dispersed over a wide area. (I am 3C and had my entire omentum removed.) The chemo will shrink it. When you eat there is going to be more pressure in your abdomen. As you digest your food, your abdomen is less tight. Ovarian Cancer makes us all hyper vigilant. Best thing to do is mention all of your symptoms to your doctor/care provider and have him/her address them. Being heard is essential to advocating for ourselves. The key is to not allow any care providers to simply dismiss your concerns. You know your body best and you deserve to be heard and get answers. Best to you, Tesla.

[Suzanne333 in reply to Tesla_7US]

Thank you for your reply Tesla. I will mention it tomorrow. I just feel it's not right but perhaps I'm being paranoid. Xx

[Tesla_7US]

Suzanne333, no woman diagnosed with this hideous disease (OC) is "being paranoid". I went to 5-6 different doctors (in the US) over a period of 2 years trying to get at the root cause of my intermittent bloating. I was misdiagnosed or dismissed by ALL OF THEM, including the oncologist I had during my breast cancer!!! So, get ALL of your questions answered and never apologize for ADVOCATING for YOURSELF!! Stay aware and fight like hell to get answers and get healthy!! Do not "be convenient" by becoming "compliant". It's your life, you are the one suffering. Make yourself heard and respected, after all you are a "customer of the healthcare system." With love, Tesla

[Dollysmum in reply to Tesla_7US]

Well said Tesla and great post.

It's rotten that we have to, but fight we must.

Knowledge is power.

Debs xxx

[Hidden]

I agree it is no benefit to us staying silent and not asking questions, I have also learned from your post. Interestingly enough one Reg told me that OC was like spagetti winding its way around my tummy,. I have never eaten it and wouldnt be a fan after getting that description. He didnt stay in Oncology for long, I wonder why?

[Dollysmum]

You couldn't make it up could you..

I'm increasingly frustrated by terminology and throwaway comments.

This evening, I am attempting to read my journal of events since my initial diagnosis and recall a specialist nurse, during a phone conversation say that in her opinion the nodules on my omentum had shrunk (before I was even referred for chemo) and I could be Stage 3 and not 4 as originally thought. I'm actually very cross reading it.

After 4 rounds of chemo and then surgery, histology revealed that the underside of the omentum was studded with small tumours.

My advice would be to take nothing for granted; scans don't reveal everything and Doctors are not Gods.

Debs xx

[Gleedy]

I had an Omentum cake. I couldn't feel it at any point and I never asked what it was as I assumed it was a big tumour. Anyway chemo shrunk it drastically and it was removed with the rest of my omentum. I have PPC 3c. I'm hoping NED now after last chemo and find out on 29th September. X

[Suzanne333 in reply to Gleedy]

I asked if it was a big tumour and it's not. It should shrink though with chemo bits where the omentum lining becomes thicker and folds over its of due to the small tumours in the omentum.

I asked my doctor yesterday and he said I'm doing really well and he's not concerned about it as my CA125 is dropping rapidly so he's happy with that.

Good luck with getting your results on 29th September. Xx

[Gleedy in reply to Suzanne333]

Thank you. X

[Rlenesue]

My surgeon told me that once I had my momentum removed I would feel food differently in my stomach and bowels. I changed how I ate and since I didn't have much of an appetite it was easy. I eat a small portion of food every 3-4 hours. I changed what I ate as well. Healthier, more fruit, lots of yogurt, etc. It seems to be working. Maybe you should try. Hope this helps.

[Suzanne333 in reply to Rlenesue]

Thank you for the advice. I did wonder if it would make a difference to the way you eat after having it removed. Also if it feels different. Xx

[January-2016-UK in reply to Suzanne333]

I haven't noticed any difference at all. I didn't know I had an omentum before and I'm completely unaware I no longer have!