Ovarian Cancer

[mcbutler]

I have had pelvic pain about 3 months, had vaginal ultrasound that noted 4 ovarian cysts, fluid and blood filled, the largest is 2.5 cm, CA 125 = 20, 3 weeks later CA 125= 25.9. I also have rectal pressure and at times left upper leg pain. No period since may but negative preg tests. i am 48 y/o. Mother died in late 20's, one grandmother in early 40's, the other in early 60's. Very little family history to draw from. GYN appears to think i am only a complainer but did refer me to GYN oncologist she said pain is not from cysts, has scheduled CT scan, but said CA 125 results no big deal and cysts as well. Could this be OC? Am I over reacting? Ache is always present but at times it is very bad. GYN suggested i might be constipated, took enema and magnesium citrate with minor results. Please be honest with me, I feel like they are humoring me to CYA.

[UroDoc]

A normal value for CA 125 is less that 30 , so you do not have an elevation. In fact women only 3% of women who have an elevated CA 125 have Ovarian cancer. That is why the test is not used to screen women for Ovarian cancer, it is used to monitor the response to treatments given to women who are know to have Ovarian cancer. The CT scan may yield some answers, Good Luck.

[Karen ov]

dear mc...

that they're able to see the cysts as cysts would seem good news. a f/u ct also seems a good thing. have you considered a colonscopy...maybe polups or something there causing pain. If your insurance allows it, would be a good self refererral. sounds odd that cysts would not be painful (they were for my mom).

my pain (OC right stage 1c, surgery march 2006) was lower right for years mostly dull. i had other symptoms as well. they thought my ovarian mass was a blood clot (I had clots in one leg for 1 year prior) so we watched for 9 months. turned out the cancer had caused the clots. your symptoms don't sound like mine, but oc is a muted cancer and doesn't make strong statements.

the fact that you lost females in your family should be usable in making doctors take notice and act. that's probably what got you the referreal to the oncologist...good job pushing!

wishing you the best. use your fear to keep on pushing.

karen