3 months since ovarian mass was an incidental find on CT scan and still waiting for my MRI.

[starrynight5626]

I've posted on here before about this but I'm getting antsy.

A fibroid and possible ovarian mass were found on a CT when I went in for stomach pains (which turned out to be diverticulitis). On the CT scan they noticed a a complex cyst on my left ovary, however they couldn't be sure if it was just a fibroid, which is definitely there, or also a mass.

Was referred to an ultrasound which I had back in April. I got the results later in the afternoon and they marked it as abnormal because they still can't tell if there's a mass attached to the ovary or not. The report says "HISTORY: Possible left adnexal/ovarian mass vs. fibroid on CT".

My doctor sent me a note the next day saying "The ultrasound results still suggest the mass near the left ovary is most likely a fibroid extending out from the surface of the uterus, but the radiologist isn't 100% confident. I'm sending the pictures to our OBGYN surgeons to get their recommendation on next steps."

I was then sent for an MRI, which I made an appt for in mid April. The appt was for May 24, but my mom passed away on May 14 so I had to fly out and make arrangements for the funeral along with a figuring out what to do with her house, etc. and had to reschedule the appt. Now I'm scheduled for June 27.

It'll be over 3 months since this was first noted and I'm just getting anxious for them to give me an answer as to what it is. None of the doctors seem to be in a rush so I'm hoping it's just a fibroid.

Will they for sure be able to tell on the MRI what it is? It sounds like I'm getting both with and without contrast. If this fails will I have to have a laparascopy?

[Lyndy]

Hi starrynight5626,

I can understand that you feel worried by the length of time this has taken.

Have you any other symptoms or diagnostics? Ca125? Bloating? Feeling full? You mentioned pain but that was put down to diverticulitis.

When you are pushing for doctors to get on with it, having a list of indicators can help raise your case.

Otherwise, I would suggest asking for a timetable following the MRI..remind them that early diagnosis is key to survival should it prove to be OC.

It is not always clear on scans and MRI what is going on but they should be able to say what the next steps would be. Best of luck xx

[starrynight5626 in reply to Lyndy]

No I don't have any other symptoms. I asked my doctor if I should get a CA125 but she said the OB/GYN she talked to said to do the MRI and not the CA125. So obviously they aren't too worried about it. I assume that if the MRI still isn't clear that they would suggest a laparascopy.

[Lyndy in reply to starrynight5626]

If you can get a ca125 done somehow it would either reassure you if low or give you some ammunition to get them to move xx

[Emcee71 in reply to Lyndy]

I'm sorry to say I think that's misleading. Fibroids and also things like endometriosis can raise a CA125 without cancer being present and CA125 can also be low with cancer. Everybody is different X

[starrynight5626]

But it seems like the CA125 could be elevated for several other reasons. And my doctor said that no matter what the outcome of that would be that they'd still do the MRI regardless.

[Boot1947 in reply to starrynight5626]

My CA125 was around 3,900, so it was unlikely to be raised for any other reason. Also much cheaper than an MRI, which I never had, and much less effort! I would press for the blood test. But obviously we’re all different. Hugs, Deb

[Lizchips]

I don't know why you would have an MRI without contrast. I'm assuming they believe it's fibroids, and hopefully that is all it is. If anything else I would say surgery would be next. Best wishes.

[starrynight5626 in reply to Lizchips]

This is what the note from the OB/GYN wrote to my doctor

I would recommend a pelvic MRI with and without contrast. It tends to be much better at delineating pelvic structures and her ultrasound and CT scan are non diagnostic. Feel free to re e-consult gynecology once the MRI is back if necessary.

[hazelnut50]

I’m so sorry to hear that your mom passed away. What a stressful life it has been for you of late. To the extent possible, I would push for an earlier MRI date to get things moving along. OC is [difficult to diagnose] they ought to know that esp with all this guessing and hoping going on. They have to get the MRI done and most likely still do surgery to get a closer look at the mass and its environs, which is really the only definitive way to know if anything more worrying is going on in there. Honestly, I would explain how stressed you are over the tests, waiting, your mom passing away and now more waiting. They should have you on a list to call in case of cancelations. Maybe they are trying to move you up to an earlier date? Make yourself known. Hang in there. Extreme stress is not a friend to us esp in these situations and on an ongoing basis. I hope you find healthy and calming ways to manage. Sorry again about your loss. Maybe try calling the ovarian support groups to talk to someone for emotional support and for information as well. Leaning on people who understand you could help.

[edited by moderator]

[starrynight5626 in reply to hazelnut50]

I called last time when my MRI was scheduled for last month but they didn't have anything earlier. I tried again this morning and still nothing open earlier.

But you think regardless of what they see on the MRI that they will have to do a laparoscopy?

[Ljwatten]

Is biopsy not an option?

[starrynight5626 in reply to Ljwatten]

Maybe after the MRI, I don't know.

[Leniko]

did they do a CA 125 blood test?

[starrynight5626 in reply to Leniko]

No my doctor said she asked the OB/GYN if that should be done and she said to just do the MRI because the MRI would have to be done regardless of what the blood test showed.

[Leniko in reply to starrynight5626]

I suppose. It’s a simple blood test…

[delia2]

Hi. Sorry you are going through this. Decades ago I was in a similar situation. I was actually pregnant and they could feel a tumor that was hard and irregular like cancer and they couldn’t tell whether it was attached to my ovary or uterus. They didn’t have scans so they were using internal exams. In the end I had to have a laparoscopy. All the dr did was feel that it was attached to my uterus and then close me up, not wanting to affect the fetus. Perhaps you could get a PET scan if the mri doesn’t resolve it.

[starrynight5626 in reply to delia2]

How is a PET different from an MRI?

[delia2 in reply to starrynight5626]

A PET uses a nuclear text to see metabolic activity and can pretty well identify malignancy.