Possible Ovarian cancer.

[PB22]

Hi I’m 30 years old.

For serval years I’ve had excruciating pelvic pain to the right and various trips to a&e to be given pain relief and sent on my way.

Whilst I was carrying my baby the doctor noticed something on my right ovary, I was regularly scanned they first thought it was a cyst but over time it grew and changed shape then said it’s not consistent with a cyst they sent for an mri scan but couldn’t rule out the cancer because of carrying my daughter. They told me it was a borderline tumour.

After having my baby they rescanned pelvic and inside aswell, it’s still there but has shrunk to 3.5cm each way. I’ve had several blood tests including renal function, inhibin a&b and something else. The only results I’ve had in renal functions which came back normal. I’ve got another mri/ct dye scan next Friday.

I’m in so much pain on and off all the time, the gyne did tell me if I was in any pain to return to the hospital because of it cutting off the blood supply to my ovary but I’m scared to return when I am in pain. The pain is usually to the right side but over the past 2 weeks I’m getting pain on the left side.

My toilet habits have changed and I’m always tired no matter how much sleep I get.

I’m just wanting someone to put my mind at ease because all I’m thinking is I’m going to have to say goodbye to my babies.

Any advice for me please xx

[lesleysage]

Talk to your gynae consultant or GP as soon as you can. However scary this feels, neither the pain nor the feelings will go away until you start the ball rolling.

Be assured, everyone of us here has felt 'paralysed' with fear at moments through our own oc experiences, but we have each learned that 'doing nothing' doesn't make us feel, or get, any better.

If you prefer to hear yourself talk to a non-medic first, then ring the Ovacome Support team as this may help you feel clearer and calmer in your mind before talking to the GP or gynae consultant. They are on 0800 008 7054 or other ways to 'chat' with them are on the Ovacome website: ovacome.org.uk/support-line

Please, PB22, talk to those who can help, as soon as you can.

Warm wishes, x

[Jacky5]

Lesleysage has given you great advice.Please start the ball rolling. It can be terrifying but the sooner you seek help the sooner you will be able to deal with the problem, get well again and then get on with your life.

The very best if luck to you.

Liz.x

[Caroles1]

Hello lovely,

We have all experienced what you are going through and the sooner you get help, the better things will be.

It may be nothing at all, but ignoring it won’t make it go away.I am older than you and worried I wouldn’t see my new born grandson, but here I am nearly 7 years and 4 grandchildren later.

So I implore you get advice, now rather than later, you will feel better when you do,

Love Carole xx

[PB22]

Thankyou for your support my Health visitor contacted the gp who’s seeing me tomorrow to examine me again and offer pain relief until I get the results from the scan on Friday.

I can’t even clean the house without ending up in horrible pain. My stomach is always swollen too I look pregnant all the time.

When they do this ct scan on Friday do you think they’ll be able to see both side or will it just be a case of looking at the side they are already are aware of? Xx

[MrsN1976 in reply to PB22]

Sending you good thoughts! I hope they can help get your pain under control quickly.

[Shinebright2020 in reply to PB22]

HI PB22,

Hope you are feeling much better now! CT scan will look at the whole pelvis area if that is what they are looking. If its full body such as chest, abdomen and pelvis then everything will be seen and checked. Please check what scan are you doing. xx

[PB22]

I went for the mri Friday had a call from the doctor to say they have done all the tests they can without it being removed so tomorrow they will decide at a board meeting if I will have just one ovary and cyst removed or a full hysterectomy. I have 2 children already so a full is ok I just worry about going into instant menopause. They still can’t confirm if the cells are cancerous but more tests will be carried out once they remove it. Today I had blood tests redone for LHD, HCG, AFP and CA125 I know these are for tumour markers which terrifies me. I told the doctor about the pain and again he said to go to a&e if unbearable. Has anyone had surgery and then had cancer diagnosis? Also I’m wondering about chemo too is that common to have surgery then chemo? X

[SophieZ]

There is a test called a Circulating Tumor Cell test that originated in Switzerland in 2004 called the RGCC test. Some integrative oncologists utilize it in the US. There is a version of it that was FDA approved a couple of years ago. One company that does it is called CellSearch but there are a bunch more. This is a simple blood draw. If any circulating tumor cells (cells that have broken off from an existing tumor) or tumor DNA is found then they are able to tell where in the body the tumor originated as well as any genetic mutations. This could help with early recurrence detection as well as matching with treatments based on genetic mutations. This test is essentially a liquid biopsy and is able to detect tumors before they are even large enough to appear on a scan.

Most oncologists don’t use it for “clinical application” yet because its supposedly “new” technology even though its been around since 2004. MD Anderson just adopted it under standard of care at their practice 2 years ago. Your oncologist could order the test even if they don’t typically do so. This might give you a better idea of your situation instead of waiting and watching on scans. If any circulating tumor cells are found the original RGCC test can even test 53 types of chemo on your cells to find out if they are chemo sensitive.

There is a Bill in the Senate that was introduced in 2021 called the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early

Detection Screening Coverage Act that is pushing to have this test covered by medicare as a screening and early detection tool for the general public as well as a way for cancer patients to be monitored after treatment. I just spoke to my oncologist about it and after some insisting he agreed to order the test. This might help you have some peace of mind if you have a more accurate screening tool utilized like this blood test and a better assessment of your condition.