I had my pre-surgery appointment today. Things got complicated. My C-125 is 44. I have two small solid tumors and two cysts in the only ovary I have. I am 33 and still single.
Basically, I just want my obgyn doctor to take a tissue out and when I wake up, they can tell me if it is cancer or not. Then I will make decision such as freeze my eggs, etc…
But doctor insist I have to trust him to make the right decision for everything. So if it is suspicious (just suspicious, may not be cancer), he will take my ovary out at the time. And if it is cancers, he does not think they will freeze my eggs anyway.
But I also read on the internet, that for very early stage of cancer, they maybe able to preserve part of ovary. But my doctor says it is not good. He will take the whole things out.
I do not feel comfortable about this. And I ask him if all the doctors will do the same, can a doctor just take a tissue out. But indicated most or all of the doctors will do the same as he will do.
I also read on the internet, that, maybe a specialized oncologist will be a better choose than obgyn doctor. So I am having a second thought on my surgery, and I can make decision to cancel or continues the surgery at 7/26 by this Friday.
He also says it is all my decisions. He can choose conservative methods just close watching the growth of the tumor and the blood test level.
So I do not know what to do, if I should choose conservative waiting, or choose an oncologist to do the surgery or just let him do the surgery.
So for all of you who had ovarian problems. Does the doctor just take it out at the time of your first lapo, or take sample tissue out first to determine the cancer stage. And have secondary major surgeries and other treatments later?
Thanks. Best wishes to all of you.
I am on the board of directors of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, a national organization for education about ovarian cancer and also to advocate for better support and treatments. (www.ovariancancer.org) We always stress that women get treated by a gynecologic oncologist instead of a ob/gyn because our survival rate is higher with gyn oncologist. Gyn oncologists have more training and experience with how the cancer will respond to the surgery or treatment. I strongly suggest that you get a referral to an oncologist. FYI, I have had 3 occurences of ovarian cancer and was first diagnosed in 1987. Good luck. Annette
It's hard to give others advise, but three years ago, I was diagnosed with clear cell ovarian cancer. I am blessed that I have Yale 30 minutes away. I went to the Yale Gyn Oncology group and feel they saved my life. My mom wasn't as lucky and that's why I went to a specialist. Get a second opinion. This is your life. My dr, Chambers, has left the group, but now I'm seeing Dr Azodi. They are wonderful there!!
let me know how things turn out!!!
Jeanneg
Livelife,
Get a second opinion from a Gyn Oncologist!
I was having a biopsy of the cyst that my GP discovered. The gynocologist said that if it was benign, he would remove it and I would be going home that same day, but if it was cancerous, a radical hysterectomy would be done and I would be in the hospital about 4 days. Tuns out it was cancerous, so he called in an oncological gyn to finish the surgery.
So you need to have a doctor who knows what he's doing in surgery because he'll know what he's looking at and has a better chance of getting all the cancer cells. And even then he might miss some, which is what happened in my case. But now I'm being seen by the oncologist and his team, and I feel comfortable with that. I'm having chemo and it hasn't been too bad, and my CA-125 has come down which is good.
Anyway, I'm sure a gyn oncologist would be able to tell you whether or not he could save your ovary. He or she will usually have a team he works with and they will know much more about cancer than a regular gynocologist.
I wish you luck and hope everything turns out ok.
Peg