Tumor/Cyst/Mass

I have cysts in my right ovary, but the matter for concern is the mass (fluid filled) below the left ovary, which of course cannot be biopsied. This is a question, 'cause I am not knowledgeable on it at all, but it seems to me that a tumor (solid and biopsable) is usually more dangerous than cysts (and a mass??? could be anything I guess). One of my first questions was could it possibly be a tampon that got up there somehow or something? She said, "No." Would it be true that fluid filled cysts (or masses) are usually a safer bet than solid tumors?

ANNIE

You sound as if you are making yourself ill with worry. Has your doctor told you that you have a malignant tumour? What has made you think you have a malignancy? I know its hard but you need to stop worrying until you have had a proper diagnosis.

Take care

I was told that the ovarian mass was often more of a problem if solid. It then becomes a complex ovarian cyst. It still is not necwssarily a malignancy, In my case the right ovary was removed by laparoscopy on March 10, The gyn felt feeling confident the mass was benign. In my case it turned out to be a borderline ovarian malignancy. I healed for 5 weeks then had a TAH , the other ovary removed and lots of sampling on April 15. Nothing was invasive, I'm healing well and shouldn't need further treatment. I wish you the best. It could very well just be a benign cyst Thewaiting can be horrible but the recovery has been very smooth.

No, I have no more reason to worry than anyone else who is waiting to find out their results. I've been told that it may or may not be benign, like most others here I would imagine. I think it's pretty normal though to wonder about it and question it. I don't of course go around talking about it like this at work or with family. In fact, I don't mention wondering about it at all. But I felt like here is a place where we can safely voice our fears. I'm really not at all undully worried, well maybe I have my moments, but for the most part, I'm not. I work and laugh and kid around and joke about getting to be off work, and all of that. Sorry if I have come across sounding obsessed with it or something!

Noooooooooo you havent come across as being obsessed but even though im across the Atlantic Ocean i can tell that you are worrying terribly! We all have been through it and some of us have got the results that we dont want to hear BUT you must be positive. Sometimes too much information is a bad thing and you must not fall into the trap of comparing your symptoms with other people who, unfortunately, have had cancer diagnosed. Take of yourself and good luck with your op.

Of course you are not over-worrying. Unfortunately this is something to worry about. It puts the small stuff in perspective. I was even called a basketcase by my surgeon. I was such a wreck I pleaded to get my date moved up and he did-from April 22 to April 15. The waiting is the worse that is not just an expression it is truth!!
I acted perfectly normal at work etc. too, but it was with me every second.
I hope this time will fly by for you.

Thanks, Harryson and Sheila. Actually I know we just have to wait and see and there's not a lot of point in worrying until we have to and maybe we won't even end up having to.

Annie-
I understand your concern over your mass.

They found my ovarian cyst last Feb. I had no symptoms. My gyne watched it and repeated the US in April of 2002. The cyst looked the same but by ca125 was elevated. I was referred to a gyne/onc 90 miles away. I had another US at the end of May 2002. The cyst looked fluid filled, had not grown, but my ca125 was still slowly climbing. The gyne/onc advised to wait 2 more months.
At the end o July 2002, I had another US. This one showed the cyst to be septated with debris and my ca125 had doubled in 2 months. I had my surgery 3 weeks later. They found cancer in my right ovary and left fallopian tube. Pathologist & doctors are unable to tell which came 1st.

I told you my story to show you that I too had to wait to find out exactly what was wrong with me. I never had any symptoms. US shows only pictures of masses. Only a biopsy can tell what the mass really is.

Waiting is hard. But soon you will have your answer. In the meantime, write anytime you need to. I understand what you are going through. I also lead a normal life waiting and only worried to myself, not at work or with my family.

Ruth S

Ruth, bless you!!!! I wonder if it was wise for them to have waited and retested and waited and retested?? You don't mention a CT scan. I didn't have one either. I guess they knew it needed to come out and we could have more tests if we wanted to, but like you said, they don't know anything until they do remove it---so that's when we know. Meanwhile, I'll babble on from time to time.

I was already fairly certain what my doctors would find when they cut me open, so my fear leading up to the surgery wasn't as bad as my fear prior to starting chemo. I cried a lot the week before surgery, mostly because I was so, so overwhelmed. And I cried a lot the week before chemo because I was so, so scared.

Waiting is the worst.

We are all thinking of you, and we all hope that your situation is benign. Keep your faith strong and know that whatever they find, you will get through it. :-)

s!