Can't help but worry?

My suspicious ovarian mass, measuring 10 cm, was found whilst I was having an ultrasound for something unrelated.

Well, that was a shock to say the least. I wasn't aware of having this 'mass'.

Action was taken quickly and I now have just less than 2 weeks to wait for my surgery.

My consultant is fairly sure it's not cancer. My CA125 level is 19.5 and another one, I think it's an EA marker, that's come back as 0.8. All within normal limits.

My ultrasound shows that the cyst/mass whatever it's called has 1 septation with a little solid and fluid. It doesn't have any abnormal blood flow around it and I have no fluid in my abdomen. All apparently good indications that all will eventually be ok. My womb and other ovary look healthy on the ultrasound. I have not had a CT scan.

I'm having a laparoscopy, one ovary and the cyst removed.

The cyst will be sent to the lab and I should get the results around 10 days after surgery.

I am sure everything will be ok but I can't help but worry that it may be bad news.

Can I anybody relate to my story?

I am putting on a brave face for my family, in particular my 3 children, ages 9, 7 and 5. Bless them, they are blissfully unaware of what's going on and long may that continue. Though I'm dreading telling them that 'mum' has to go into hospital.

Thanks for reading.

[Cadbury]

Hello, and welcome to this site. You have come to the right place as many women reading your post will relate to your circumstances, apprehensions and the feeling of shock that an ovarian mass has been discovered.

Firstly, reading your story, your mass has been diagnosed at an early stage and you are having prompt treatment. This is a reassuring situation. Although 10cm may sound large, ovarian masses can grow very large indeed. However, a large mass does not necessarily mean a more serious cancer. Mine was 20cm x 15cm and it was found to be an early stage ovarian cancer. That was in July 2009, and I have now had all the necessary treatment and I am told by my consultant that the prognosis is very positive.

Your mass may not be anything sinister. Benign ovarian cysts are more common than ovarian cancers. Please do not start thinking the worst. Try to stay strong and wait to hear the pathologist's report. This will give you definitive information, rather than guess work.

Blood tests are an indicator up to a point, but in general the CA125 is an unreliable test in itself. For instance, it can be raised in pregnancy when there is nothing wrong.

Your consultant sounds reassuring. However, I would strongly advise you to seek an opinion from a gynae-oncologist, a doctor who specialises in gynaecological cancers. Statistically, it has been shown that women have better outcomes if surgery and treatment is conducted by a specialist in this specific field. Perhaps your consultant is already one of these specialists, but please bear this advice in mind.

If there is anything else that I can help you with, please contact me. I have been in your shoes and know exactly how you feel. You are not alone.

Best wishes

Isabelle

[MargaretJ in reply to Cadbury]

We All relate for different reasons! I was on a cycling holiday in France when I found I couldn't eat! To be told, on return that I had stage 3c incurable Ovarian cancer was, to say the least a shock! On the plus side I am no longer deferring gratification and I do not expect to be around to pay the bill! My kids will get less than they expect from the sale of the house! .