Worried about ovarian cancer

[fatfairforty]

Have had bloated tummy since about December last year - hoped I was pregnant! Saw dr in feb, she ran a blood test - CA125 marker came back elevated (43 so not hugely so).
Had my transvag scan on Friday and the sonographer said nothing, just the line 'your results will be with your doctor in 7 - 10 days'. I noticed that she was taking lots of measurements on my right side.

So now I'm panicking - on my own, no family close, though I'm meeting a friend later for coffee and may tell her.

I'm trying to be being rational - if there was something I would have been taken in for a hysterectomy straight away - but aagh....

I'm 44 and not menopausal.

Any advice?

[MoreBeta]

CA125 can be elevated for a number of reasons including emdometriosis.

A level of 43 is not very high and CA125 is not a reliable diagnostic test for ovarian cancer - just an initial indicator and neither is an ultrasound. You will need a laporoscopy to get a definitive diagnosis.

Dont Google stuff. Nobody knows what your diagnosis is yet. You need more tests and it could be one of many things.

[fatfairforty]

Thanks MoreBeta, just thought the sonographer would give some indication if there was nothing to worry about. I respect their professionalism though, just not being very patient about the results.

[sannaville]

My friend had ovarian cancer and her ca125 came.back normal! So don't worry too much about blood test. Usually scan result will be back quicker if there's a concern. Have you any other symptoms?
I've had a few scans, first time I asked if everything was ok and was told same as you to see gp for result but it was all ok anyway! Second time sonographer told me result so think it depends who you get x

[fatfairforty]

thanks for the reassurance sannaville. have a few odd things like bowels more active at strange times (like middle of night), weight gain.

Sonographer was a bit blunt - like didn't say hello - but after the stock 'get results from dr' she helped me with my gown (which my over thinking brain thinks means she saw something bad and soften a bit!!).

Should I make an appt with my gp to get the results or wait for her to phone do you think?

[coffeeinbed]

Don't read anything into sonographer's behaviour. It seems normal to me.
They all have different manners, some tell you more, others nothing at all.

[sannaville]

I'd ring GP receptionist and ask for results mine always tell me over phone and if they need explaining by gp then they get gp to ring me back, wait til fri then give GP a ring and they prob be back by then I imagine. Good luck and hope results are ok x

[Mamf74]

Hello,

I have endometriosis and was referred for a tv scan as my pain was returning but differently to before - bloating, pain in my left side & back, frequent weeing etc. I didn't google as I knew my symptoms crossed with that of ovarian cancer (I have a huge fear of this, in case the symptoms get explained away as endo). Anyhoo, the scan revealed 2 massive endometriomas, 12 and 9cm, which gave the same symptoms. As I have endo my CA125 is raised too so is never used. She also took loads of measurements too.

The Sonographer was lovely, and talked me through the scan, pointing out why she knew it was an endometrioma and not nasty, however other scanners have been brusque to the point of rudeness - I think the first Sonographer was so helpful because it was a Saturday & she was bored!

So, in short, cyst can and do cause similar symptoms to ovarian cancer; the scan is enough for them to tell pretty conclusively so if anything nasty had been detected I'm sure they would have sped up your results to your GP.

Hope that helps reassure you a bit.... it's horrible when medical people are so inscrutable but try not to worry (easier said than done, I know!).

[JudithOfThePeace]

I had a transvaginal scan last week and the lady doing it totally freaked me out by talking about measuring things on one side. She was training and talking to her supervisor. She used phrases like 'the larger one' and 'do I need to measure it?' I was convinced that she had found something ominous on an ovary. Turned out she was just talking about the different ways to measure my actual ovary and both ovaries look perfectly healthy!

So, as hard as it is, try not to worry or read too much into what they did or didn't say.

[tazmo]

Hi interested in this thread! I have been getting major pain in my right side mid month and getting sore periods so wondering if this is similar to what others experiencing - hopefully (!) for endometriosis. Haven't been to dr yet. I am 42 and peri menopausal - had ivf a few years ago. Shd I see the dr? Feel sick mid month and during period due to pain but can get rid with paracetamol!

[fatfairforty]

Thank you for the replies and sharing your scan stories. I've been less stressed today but still haven't confided my fears outside of mumsnet. I will phone the GP surgery on Friday if I haven't heard before then - at least then I may have some info before the weekend.

tazmo I don't have similar symptoms to you but I think you should see a GP just to check. I often think we should be more like the Americans and get annual health checks, including full gynae exams.

[PowerPants]

Another one here who had ovarian cancer and normal CA125. The CA125 is not a great indicator.

I know it's trite but don't read too much into the measurements thing - they all do that. They are measuring your ovaries and possible cysts on them. If you have a cyst, for example, they might get you back for an ultrasound in six months or a year and measure again to see how it grows and whether it waxes and wanes with your cycle.

I know the waiting is horrible - have an unmumsnetty hug....

[fatfairforty]

Yes, thanks for checking back. The scan was clear, so now I have to repeat the blood tests in 4 weeks to check level of CA125 again. Really relieved...... but now I have to address that weight gain!!