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TENNIS BALL MASS ON OVARY

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:45 pm
by Guest
QUESTION. I AM A STAGE 4 COLON CANCER WITH LIVE METS SURVIVOR OFF CHEMO OVER 1 YEAR CLEAN SCANS UNTIL YESTERDAY OUT OF NO WHERE A TENNIS BALL SIZE MASS HAS SHOWN UP ON MY LEFT OVARY. EVERYONE IS FREAKING OUT SAW A SURGEON TODAY RECOMENDS A FULL HYSTERECTOMY THEY ARE NOT SURE IF IT IS A COLON CANCER REOCCURANCE OR A NEW TUMOR AND OVARIAN CANCER OR IF IT IS A LARGE CYSTS NOT CANCER... BUT IT LOOKS SUSPECIOUS- I AM 41 HAS ANYBODY ELSE BEEN THROUGH THIS? THANKS

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:26 pm
by Magnolia
No, I haven't been through anything like that, but I've heard of it. CC can spread to ovaries, and ovaries themselves can develop both benign and cancerous masses. I'd be inclined to get that puppy out ASAP. It COULD be benign. Let's hope!

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:05 pm
by nodo
I have had a similar experience, but my mass turned out to be benign. I was actually going through chemo and was hospitalized with a partial bowel obstruction. When they did a scan, they discovered the mass on the ovary. It was large, but I don't remember the exact size. They did watch it and it resolved on its own after several weeks (turned out to be a cyst), so I was lucky. Ovarian cysts are very common and most women have them regularly. However, most women don't even know about them because they resolve on their own. I think I remember one of my doctors at Mayo telling me that a cyst forms with each ovulation, but then resolves. I have heard that CC can metastasize to the ovary, but it is not the most likely place for it to show up first. Caution is good here, but take a deep breath and don't assume the worst. There are other very possible explanations, especially given the size of the mass. Keep us posted.

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:02 pm
by Magnolia
You didn't say how old you are. Even a cyst on an ovary after menopause is more disconcerting than it would be in a younger woman. In any case, there are benign explainations, as well as more ominous ones. Get it checked and trust your docs. If you need surgery, do it. Better live without an organ that take a big chance. But anytime surgery is recommended, get a second opinion first, unless, of course it's an emergency.

Wow

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:52 pm
by Holly
Oh can I appreciate what you are feeling. In December 2006, I had a cyst on my right ovary just over 2 cm and recent ultrasound findings show that growth now measures over 8 cm. I feel blessed that the growth/cyst did not light up on the petscan. Thank goodness. My case was reviewed by the cancer committee and it is the recommendation of the cancer committee that a radical hysterectomy is medically necessary as soon as possible. The recommendation of surgery is to eliminate all potential risks. I have a surgery consult with a OBGYN oncology surgeon next week and will schedule surgery at that time. Though I am in pain and feel pressure, I trust that every thing in life happens for a reason. Too, I trust that God has his arms wrapped tightly around me and will keep me well.

Please know that you will be in my continued thoughts and prayers. Keep kickin' a little cancer a$% and remember that ALL things are truly possible!

Always,

Holly

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 11:41 am
by Guest
Hi thanks for your responses. I just turned 40 in September. Holly the Doctors told me not to bother doing the pet scan that it would show up anyway. I talked with my surgeon other Doctors etc and been brewind over this decision but have decided to do as you say a radical hysterectomy I am scheduled for Friday the 20th this sucks bring on Menopause... I have previously had colon surgery liver resection many rounds of chemo and have been clear for almost 2 years this showed up our of nowhere and they keep using the phrase it looks suspicious. Praying it is not cancer but if it is here we go again... Good Luck Holly you are an inspiration to all on this site and you will be fine...

Me, Too!!

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:00 pm
by margotmagoo
Me, too!! OH! Am I glad I checked this post!!!!!!!! I have a 16+cm (yes...over 6 inches) mass on my ovary and I look pregnant. I am having surgery on April 16th to have a hysterectomy at age 41. I am a nervous wreck and am praying that it is benign. My CEA is up to 7.4 and my CA-125 was in normal range two weeks ago but now is just above normal range. I am trying not to panic but I am scared. My mass grew extremely quickly. I am soooooo glad to see I am not alone in this. Please think good thoughts for me as I will definitely say a prayer for all of you. Thank you!

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:14 pm
by Magnolia
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:31 pm
by missjv
hi guys,
i too had a big ugly growth on my right ovary a few months before i found out i had colon cancer. on the ultrasound and other imaging tests they told me it looked bad and thought i had ovarian cancer because my mother had ovarian cancer 25 years ago and to this day is fine by the way so miracles happen. i was petrified because they said too big to be a cyst and pretty much had me set up thinking it was cancer. well it turned out to be an ugly growth not cancer and not a cyst. i had severe endometriosis as well so they thought it might be something to do with that but never got a clear answer on what it was i don't think they knew. it was big and scary looking but not cancer. i did have the full hysterectomy and recovery was quite easy. i first started hot flashes about 2 months after the surgery and i went to a pharmacy who mixes natural estrogen cream and use it occasionally and i have not had hot flashes since i started chemo last june don't know what that means but havn't gotten them in a long time. all this happened to me in a matter of months the hysterectomy then stage 4 colon cancer and weird thing was my surgeon who did hysterectomy showed me photos of my liver and scans with my liver before hysterectomy and there was nothing on it. so my liver mets were in the micro stage i suppose???? anyhoo good luck with the hysterectomy and remember there is a good chance the growth is benign and nothing to worry about.

missjv

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:16 pm
by MissKim
I, too, had an 11 cm mass on my right ovary in 6/03. I was originally dx with ovarian cancer (even though the CA-125) was normal. Well after the oopherectomy and then a complete hysterectomy (at age 38), I had a blockage in my sigmoid colon. Colon cancer was the primary cancer. Just to be safe, have it checked out. I hope that your mass is nothing. Best wishes to you and keep us posted.

Sincerely,
Miss Kim

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:10 pm
by Magnolia
Some benign ovarian masses can be huge. Don't jump to any conclusions until it's out and the path report is back.

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:02 pm
by northern lights
I am glad I read this. In December, 6 weeks after finishing chemo for stage III CC, I mass showed up on an ultrasound. Doctors assumed it was cancer and recommended a hysterectomy. I turned out to be a simple cyst, but it was too late and the hysterectomy is done.

If you have ANY doubts about having a hysterectomey, let them take the ovary and do tests. I have two beautiful children, so I can accept not having more. I have avoided menopause because I am on an estrogen replacement.

Try to imagine that you didn't have CC. Would you be making the same decision? Are you positive for the CC gene? I believe that you are only at increased risk for ovarian cancer if you have the HNPP gene.

If you have ANY doubts please do more research and ask more questions. There is no going back.

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:36 pm
by Guest
Hi all just mustered up the strength this week to post a reply. The Cyst turned out to be cancer bummer I have dealt with all the emotions anger etc and put the game face back on. My hysterectomy went well they also put another port in my abdomen for Chemo so now I have 3 things 2 ports and a Liver pump. Anyhow I was home 1 day fromt the hospital then straight to Chemo which is pretty intense I did 3 days straight for 3 + hours each day of large bags of Chemo going into the port abdomen. Anyhow lets say it has been tough going through surgery, starting Chemo right away and Menopause my poor husband. The plan is next week 3 more days in a row then off a week then 3 more days in a row then we take it from there. This stinks a real kick in the pants. I was off chemo for a whole year with NED for 2 years now I feel like I have had a big set back but I have come to the conclusion and I guess peace within myself that it is what it is this is my life and I would rather be here on Chemo then the alternative. I have a 6 year old boy who needs his Momma and I have no intention of dying. Dying is easy living is hard. Having the will to go on and beat the best is what I am striving for. Thanks all keep me in your prayers.

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:53 pm
by margotmagoo
Wow....I am so sorry to hear your news. I received the same news as my ovaries were cancerous as well. The cancer was colon and not ovarian cancer so I do not have a port into my abdomen. I will be starting chemo again very soon. I flew to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore just two weeks after my surgery for a second opinion. My surgery involved a hysterectomy and staging in case it was ovarian cancer (removal of appendix, omentum, and lymphs -- all negative for cancer) You are right....this does stink!!!!! I was NED for a mere 6 months. I agree with you on that I am not ready to die either....I have a 12 yr. old son and 9 yr old daughter and I am not done yet!!!!!! You are certainly getting more of your share of treatments. How are you holding up? I really hope you are managing and that the side effects are not too much for you. Day by day.....we march on.
Margot

Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 9:25 pm
by Guest
Hi there mine was a reoccurance of my inital colon cancer not ovarian cancer not sure why they put the port in the abdomen for the chemo anyhow I have one more treatment left next week for 3 days then hopefully that will be it. Wondering are you having any pain from your hysterectomy? I have been having pain in my lower right side pretty bad. I have not seen my surgeon since the surgery said no need but I think I will call him tomorrow. Margot what treatments are they going to put you on? Good Luck to you..