[min150mph]

I have the bloated tummy that never goes away, constipation, seen a urlogist because of pain and issues urinating, and had an ultra sound that shows a cyst on the left ovary that after a 2.5 month wait didn't disappear. I also had the ca125 blood test and it showed elevated levels (not high, just elevated). I'm now scheduled to have surgery at the end of the month.What is the chance I have ovarian cancer (I'm 36 and no children yet) and what do I need to consider/decide before the surgery as to what to do if they find cancer?Anybody care to share if they've been through this?

[melvillefan]

Without knowing your family history it would be hard to determine what your chances are regarding ovarian cancer. Often times ovarian cancer isn't diagnosed until it is in its advanced stages. Unfortunately, the decision on what type of procedure your doctor will perform will be ultimately decided in the operating room depending on what he/she finds. If you want to have children some day you might want to consider freezing some of your eggs for future use because if you need chemotherapy your chances of having children will be significantly low. You may also want to discuss with your doctor about a complete hysterectomy vs. just removing the left ovary. If you just remove the left ovary you might put yourself at risk for future cancer episodes in the future. Good luck.

[rhymer]

Didn't you have a CT scan done also? I doubt any doctor would let possible ovarian cancer wait for 2 1/2 months-that is a little long for suspected cancer. I had the symptoms you listed but my tumors could be felt by a rectal exam and, after the CT scan and CA 125 blood test, which was over 500, the opinion was ovarian cancer but, of course, that had to be actually diagnosed by biopsy during surgery. I would say that you may have a cyst because I think surgery would not have been delayed if you did, in fact, have ovarian cancer.Since I had already been through menopause, a hysterectomy was the tratment recommended for me, followed by 6 chemo treatments. It has been over two years since my diagnosis and, so far, so good. Let me know how things turn out for you. If you do have ovarian cancer, make sure your surgery is done by a Gyn oncology surgeon. It makes a big difference as to outcome.

[MilonJones]

Hello Friends,

A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing cancer. Although risk factors often influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and talking about them with your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.

Thanks and Regards,
Milon Jones

kfucoidan.com