My GP thinks I've got Ovarian Cancer!

[humanoctopus]

Ok, so I have weird menstrual cycles, go to the gp, asks about cervical smears (all perfect for years). I have the usually bloods taken, all normal,etc.
Have ultrasound, throws up abnormally large right ovary. The gp is worried and feels that I need blood work, as he feels that it may well be ovarian cancer.
I am not worried. Maybe I am deluding myself. I would love to hear anyone's experiences of this issues. I am awaiting the results of the latest bloodtests to prove/disprove the gp's theory of ovarian issues. Its the CA 125 that he's waiting on.
Anyone?

Could be, and its good your GP is checking, but it could also be normal - a pal of mine from a long time ago had one large ovary and heavier anddifferent bleeding every alternate month (more red). She had a long series of tests and a seemingly irrelevant question about 'how do you have sex' led to a revalation that a) her boyfriend's penis curved to the right and b) their favourite position was having sex with him on the left side of her in bed pushing upwards (her hips were wider than his by a long way) and that they had very vigourous sex - this was bruising her ovaries and causing some trauma (hence the red bleeding) needless to say this altered the way they had sex, but does any of this hit home?

oh and it was from behind that she really liked...so her right ovary as well. she was quite short and his a (v.) long and narrow (sorry if TMI)

Thanks Heroine
Nothing to vigorous here, although I can see how that could lead to suspicious findings.

HO

What is weird about your menstrual cycles?.

What bloods did you have taken and on what days?.

No blood test or ultrasound will detect endometriosis if it is present. The abnormally sized right ovary may be cyst related; have you been referred to a specialist as yet?.

CA125 levels can also be elevated with endometriosis as well.

GPs are not always the best people to be tackling such issues either. They are generalists first and foremost.

Has he actually referred you to a specialist?

GP's are generalists and the ones I work with are excellent but I cannot imagine any of them telling someone they may have ovarian cancer without actually referring them anywhere.

humanoctopus - my DW had ovarian cancer.

Your larger right ovary which presumably appeared on a scan could be for many reasons and often benign. It does not mean your GP thinks you have ovarian cancer. Ordering a CA125 test does not mean your GP thinks you have ovarian cancer either. It is just a precautionary test at this stage.

The CA125 test is important but it is not a perfect indicator either. The CA125 score can be 'high' if you have endometriosis along with a variety of other conditions.

If your CA125 is 'high' then you will be likely asked to go for a laproscopy which allows the consultant to see inside your abdomen and take a sample (biopsy) of ovarian tissue. This sample will then sent to an oncologist for analysis. You might alternatively be sent for x rays, MRI, CT scans and further ultrasound scans.

Only then after all those tests can a diagnosis be given. Even if you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer there are many different types. It is not a condition that has a simple either/or diagnosis.

The MacMillan site is a good place for basic information on ovarian cancer.

The Cancer Research UK site describes the various tests that can be done (click through to the next page to see a discussion of laparoscopy and biopsy).

First question is- if your GP is worried why are you not being referred to a gynae or an oncology/gynae?

I had an ovarian cyst for 2 years and was scanned every 3 months and had the CA125 blood tests.

They ought to be able to tell more form the scans- was it a transvaginal scan?

Have you got a cyst?

The CA125 test is not accurate- it will show raised levels if the cancer is advanced, but notif it is early stages, but can also show false negatives ( high scores) for conditions like endo.

If you have not been referred you must ask to be regardless of what the blood test shows.

How did you get on? Any results back yet?
Hope you are OK.