symptoms of ovarian cancer

Hi all - My sister has ovarian cancer.  We have been reading about the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and they seem so vague.  She did not experience any of the symptoms that we read about.  It started with a very swollen, hard stomach - ascites fluid that contained cancer cells.  When it was discovered, she was already very advanced.  Are there any reliable, early tests for ovarian cancer?  We have read - CA 125,  transvaginal ultrasound.  Would you mind posting the test that determined that you had ovarian cancer.  When there is ascites fluid, does this show on a CT scan?  My sister actually had surgery and was told that there were cancer cells everywhere and no surgery was done due to this.  Was there not a test, like a CT scan, that would have shown the small cancer cells prior to her surgery being booked.  Also, peritoneum cancer apparently involves the same cancer cells.  How is this cancer determined - what tests show this cancer?  Thanks, Barb

Hi Barb, I am sorry you are here but what a great place for info.  The CA 125 is all I know of.  I had always had bad monthlys and had a cyst on my ovary errupt, thats how they found mine.  I had a partial hyst at 32 and never had a pap after that cuz "theres nothing to check" is what the doc said.  Best of Life to you and your sis. Pam

 

On 7/26/2009 caruba wrote:

Hi all - My sister has ovarian cancer.  We have been reading about the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and they seem so vague.  She did not experience any of the symptoms that we read about.  It started with a very swollen, hard stomach - ascites fluid that contained cancer cells.  When it was discovered, she was already very advanced.  Are there any reliable, early tests for ovarian cancer?  We have read - CA 125,  transvaginal ultrasound.  Would you mind posting the test that determined that you had ovarian cancer.  When there is ascites fluid, does this show on a CT scan?  My sister actually had surgery and was told that there were cancer cells everywhere and no surgery was done due to this.  Was there not a test, like a CT scan, that would have shown the small cancer cells prior to her surgery being booked.  Also, peritoneum cancer apparently involves the same cancer cells.  How is this cancer determined - what tests show this cancer?  Thanks, Barb

 

Yes, this a very subtle disease and not obvious that anything is going on in the early stages since the symptoms are so similar to what many women experience as they age. Often mistaken for gastrointestinal problems...just drink more water and eat more fiber! Water and fiber are good for everyone but time can be wasted on that track. Worked with a GI Dr. for a year before my abdomen swelled up with the ascites (fluid). Gastro Dr. ordered CT Scan to "rule out" Ovarian Cancer. And there the tumors were. My blood work showed elevated levels of CA-125. Cancer cells were found floating in the drained abdominal fluid. In my case, two cycles of chemotherapy were ordered for me before complete hysterectomy. The chemo made many of the sites smaller and easier to remove without disturbing the bowel and other nearby structures.I had a transvaginal ultrasound several months earlier and my GI Dr. saw nothing unusual. I want to get a copy and show it to my Onco to see if he can see anything that was there early on.

I have found this site to be very helpful for info and moral support too. EVERY case is different so final info needs to come from your medical experts.

Good luck to your Sis,

Ann

 

Yes, my Onco Dr. also told me that Peritoneal and Ovarian Cancer cells are pretty much the same thing and treated similarly.

Forgot to mention in my previous reply how important it has been for me to participate in a support group. I really urge her to go and find one where she is comfortable!

Hugs,

Ann