QuestionI just want a bit of information. I have had ovarian tumors since I was 29. I had my first tumor in 1990. Pelvic pain has always been present. Have fertility issues, took fertility drugs. In 2002 a tumor was found that looked suspicious. It was removed. I was 41 years old. Just recently for the past 6 months I have been feeling odd. I went to 4 ob gyns who fluffed this pain off. Went to a gastro physician he wanted to f/u with him after the ob gyn. I went back to the last physician who saw me for a consult and did not even touch me. She told me to take advil and gave me a pack of Seasonale birth control pills and sent me off. This time she again stressed that I probably think I have a disease it is probably scar tissue pain. She finally did an ultrasound where this solid mass tumor was found. Now I have been told that I have a solid mass in my remaining ovary. I am 44 yrs. old. I have been having bloating just recently, with rectum pressure. I am worried. I have an appointment with a gynecological oncology physician here in Chicago. What do I need to do at this time? What questions do I ask? Should I have any tests that I could have done through my primary care physician who I seem to trust!! I will have a 2nd opinion with another oncology specialist in 1 week. I don't know if I will have to have a total hysterectomy. Please give me any helpful insight. I would love to read personal stories.Thank you.
AnswerDear Patti, I can't give you any personal stories, but I am sure if you search the internet you will probably find some....
It is good that you are seeing a gynecological oncologist and it is better that he surgically remove this solid mass and biopsy it and if it means that you need a total hysterectomy, then you need to have it done... There is no way to know till you have the surgery to remove the tumor, have the biopsy and then if it is cancer, the only choice may be for you to have the total hysterectomy and maybe even cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation... It is simply too early to know what will happen until you see this specialist.... Also, it is always good to get a second opion, but make sure that you take good notes at ALL of your visits inorder to know what each says and what may be different at each visit and then do your own research.... It is better to let the specialist do ALL the tests that you need including blood tests etc... I am sure your primary care physician is good, but he is NOT a cancer specialist and would not know what to other tests needed to be done....
There is nothing that you need to do at this time except KEEP your appoitments.... Since you are worried which is normal I am sure you already have a LOT of questions and you need to write down EVERYTHING you are thinking about and the questions that you already have so you can ask the specialist... THis is why I said to listen carefully, and write down everything the doctor says... He may answer most of your questions, but if not, then ask the ones he did not answer.... The main questions are what does he think this is, what is he going to do inorder to make a proper diagnosis, what type of surgery is he planning to do, if it is cancer what happens next, etc....
thank you, karen
