Age diagnosed with ovarian cancer

I am 37 and pre menopausal. I was wondering at what age a lot of you were diagnosed? I am currently waiting on my CA 125 results but was found to have a Complex ovarian cyst measuring 2.1 x 1.5 cm with septations noted. We are trying to decide whether or not to go ahead and have a total hysterectomy regardless of the CA 125 test results because of the type of cyst it is. At this point my doctor just wants to place me on birth control pills and recheck an Ultrasound in 2 months if the Ca 125 comes back normal. Everything I have read states in usually occurs post menopausal and after the age of 50. My symptoms took me to the doctor but she stated my ovary felt fine but scheduled the Ultrasound as a precaution. My symptoms are pain in my left lower pelvic area, bloating, pressure in my lower abd, irregular periods, and frequency of urination. I am just looking for some information from people who have been there so it can help us to make a more informed decision. Thanks for your time!

Hello, sorry to hear you are having a problem.  I was diagnosed at 67, but I also had breast cancer at 57.  If I had had a hysterectomy after that treatment, I would not have this cancer today.  Now I'm being treated for both breast and peritoneal cancer.  This cancer hits women of all ages, and early detection is most important.

Personally, I wouldn't fool around with this.  Not all cancer is detected through the CA125.  I had a friend who passed with ovarian cancer and the 125 never revealed anything.  The only way they knew what was going on with her cancer was through a PET scan which shows the cancer as hot spots.  See an oncologist, get a second opinion.  Good luck and keep us posted.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.  I was diagnosed w/ DCIS (pre-breast cancer) in 2004, had a mastectomy, and then diagnosed w/ fallopian tube cancer in 2007, stage IIIC.  CA125 had not been abnormal, I have family history of OC so had the CA-125 regularly for many years.  Don't think it is particularly useful for initial diagnosis. Finally got smart and got genetic testing which revealed I am BRCA-2 positive.  Got a complete hysterectomy, two rounds of chemo (IV Carboplatin/Paclitaxel and IntraPeritoneal Cisplatin/Paclitaxel.)  Rough chemo the second, but glad I did.  If you have family history of female cancer, talk to your doctor about getting genetic testing, it sure answered a lot of questions for me and I was able to pass that info along to my daughter who also got tested.  Good luck, keep asking questions, don't wait around, get a second opinion of you are not fully at east w/ the advice you are getting from your current physician.  CG

Hello, I am sorry you are here but thank God you are.  My problems started early, same symptoms you have said. I was 32 when I had a partial hyst, then at 40 Ovary Cancer and the rest of the hyst. I tried to talk Doc. into a full hyst at 32 but he said I was too young. I already had two kids and wasn't wanting any more anyway. If you need to talk or have any questions we are all here for you. Pam

 

On 8/26/2009 elegantlady wrote:

I am 37 and pre menopausal. I was wondering at what age a lot of you were diagnosed? I am currently waiting on my CA 125 results but was found to have a Complex ovarian cyst measuring 2.1 x 1.5 cm with septations noted. We are trying to decide whether or not to go ahead and have a total hysterectomy regardless of the CA 125 test results because of the type of cyst it is. At this point my doctor just wants to place me on birth control pills and recheck an Ultrasound in 2 months if the Ca 125 comes back normal. Everything I have read states in usually occurs post menopausal and after the age of 50. My symptoms took me to the doctor but she stated my ovary felt fine but scheduled the Ultrasound as a precaution. My symptoms are pain in my left lower pelvic area, bloating, pressure in my lower abd, irregular periods, and frequency of urination. I am just looking for some information from people who have been there so it can help us to make a more informed decision. Thanks for your time!

I'm so sorry that you are having problems. I was diagnosed at 58 but the similarities in your cyst and mine are quite similar although my tumors were much larger. Here's the thing, in spite of a normal CA 125 throughout the whole process, I had a rare MMMT of the ovary. I would suggest that you get an appointment with a gynecological oncologist to assess your situation. A complex cyst with septations could be worisome, it's better to have an expert look at it. I have an aquaintance that was diagnosed at the age of 18. They removed one ovary and 3 months later the other one. Ovarian cancer can be cured if caught early and I would say that you are in the early stages  IF it is cancer. I pray that it is not.

My mom was diagnsosed at age 51, a friend from high school was diagnosed at age 20.  It can strike at any age.

On 8/26/2009 elegantlady wrote:

I am 37 and pre menopausal. I was wondering at what age a lot of you were diagnosed? I am currently waiting on my CA 125 results but was found to have a Complex ovarian cyst measuring 2.1 x 1.5 cm with septations noted. We are trying to decide whether or not to go ahead and have a total hysterectomy regardless of the CA 125 test results because of the type of cyst it is. At this point my doctor just wants to place me on birth control pills and recheck an Ultrasound in 2 months if the Ca 125 comes back normal. Everything I have read states in usually occurs post menopausal and after the age of 50. My symptoms took me to the doctor but she stated my ovary felt fine but scheduled the Ultrasound as a precaution. My symptoms are pain in my left lower pelvic area, bloating, pressure in my lower abd, irregular periods, and frequency of urination. I am just looking for some information from people who have been there so it can help us to make a more informed decision. Thanks for your time!

Hi, I agree with some of the other posts, that CA 125 is not a reliable test for detecting ovarian cancer. It can go up for different reasons, including lots of non-cancer related health issues. Complex ovarian cysts can become life threatening, so removing it is a good idea. In terms of having to have a total hysterectomy, it might not be necessary, maybe you can get another doctor's opinion. It can't hurt... This website has some information on cysts, it might give you some more info: http://www.ovarian-cancer-facts.com/complex-ovarian-cyst.htm All the best. Maria

I'm sorry to hear of your problems. The fact that it is a complex cyst is disturbing and should be looked at by a gynecologist oncologist so that  surgery can properly debulk the cyst. Your age has nothing to do with it because I had a friend who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 18. It seems to me that you should deal with this as soon as possible. My feeling would be that birth control pills might be the wrong move because some ovarian cancers feed on estrogen. You certainly have some questions to  pose to the doctor.