Ovarian Cancer

Question: What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer? I also heard that abnormal bleeding is an important symptom. Is it possible to have ovarian cancer symptoms without the abnormal bleeding?

Answer: None. Ovarian cancer is well known for having no symptoms at all until its advanced.

Question: Is it rare for teen girls to get ovarian cancer? I was wondering if ovarian cancer is rare in like 18 year olds to 24 year olds? I have been having abdominal pain for a few months, and I just got a regular ultrasound, a transvaginal ultrasound, and an x-ray of my abdomen which all came back normal! Could the doctors missed something, or should I trust the results?

Answer: While you can never say never, The chances of ovarian cancer in a teenager are EXTREMELY low. Most women diagnosed with it are past the menopause. And yes, trust those results. I have some risk factors for ovarian cancer - I'm post-menopausal and I've had breast cancer - and I wouldn't hesitate to trust those tests to rule it out.

Question: Is it possible for someone who is 27 to have ovarian cancer? Is it possible for someone who is 27 to have ovarian cancer? I look at all the info on ovarian cancer and it constantly talks about going through menopause, being over 40, and things of that nature but nothing that says you can be as young as 27 and have it. Also have not had any kids and all the symptoms and signs are there. Would just like to know if it is possible.

Answer: Hey, I had ovarian cancer at the age of 25. When it was discovered it was in stage 2 level A. So, I tell everyone to go and get checked out.

Question: I have a history of ovarian cancer in my family, is it alright for me to get Gardasil vaccinations? My mother died of ovarian cancer when she was 52, I feel like I would be at high risk to get cancer later on in life. Is there any possibility that Gardasil is counter indicative to ovarian cancer? Thanks.

Answer: cervical, not ovarian. but i'd get it any way...why not?

Question: Whats the difference between an ovarian cyst and ovarian cancer? My sister has an 'ovarian cyst' 15 cm i n width..... The average cyst rarely exceeds 5 cm...... can a cyst turn into cancer?

Answer: Ovarian cyst is: An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the ovary. Many cysts are completely normal. These are called functional cysts. They occur as a result of ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). Functional cysts normally shrink over time, usually in about 1 to 3 months. If you have a functional cyst, your doctor may want to check you again in 1 to 3 months to make sure the cyst has gotten smaller. In certain cases, your doctor may want you to take birth control pills so you won't ovulate. If you don't ovulate, you won't form cysts. If you are menopausal and are not having periods, you shouldn't form functional cysts. If you do have a cyst, your doctor will probably want you to have a sonogram so he or she can look at the cyst. What your doctor decides to do after that depends on your age, the way the cyst looks on the sonogram and if you're having symptoms such as pain, bloating, feeling full after eating just a little, and constipation. Ovarian Cancer: Recognizing ovarian cancer symptoms Ovarian cancer often shows no obvious signs or symptoms until late in its development. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include: General abdominal discomfort and/or pain (gas, indigestion, pressure, swelling, bloating, cramps) Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or frequent urination Loss of appetite Feeling of fullness even after a light meal Weight gain or loss with no known reason Abnormal bleeding from the vagina These symptoms may be caused by ovarian cancer or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to check with a doctor about any of these symptoms. To help find the cause of symptoms, a doctor evaluates a woman's medical history. The doctor also performs a physical exam and orders diagnostic tests. Some exams and tests that may be useful are described below: Pelvic exam includes feeling the uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum to find any abnormality in their shape or size. (A Pap test, a good test for cancer of the cervix, is often done along with the pelvic exam, but it is not a reliable way to find or diagnose ovarian cancer.) Ultrasound refers to the use of high-frequency sound waves. These waves, which cannot be heard by humans, are aimed at the ovaries. The pattern of the echoes they produce creates a picture called a sonogram. CA-125 assay is a blood test used to measure the level of CA-125, a tumor marker that is often found in higher-than-normal amounts in the blood of women with ovarian cancer. Lower GI series, or barium enema, is a series of x-rays of the colon and rectum. The pictures are taken after the patient is given an enema with a white, chalky solution containing barium. The barium outlines the colon and rectum on the x-ray, making tumors or other abnormal areas easier to see. CT (or CAT) scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Biopsy is the removal of tissue for examination under a microscope. A pathologist studies the tissue to make a diagnosis. To obtain the tissue, the surgeon performs a laparotomy (an operation to open the abdomen). If cancer is suspected, the surgeon performs an oophorectomy (removal of the entire ovary). This is important because, if cancer is present, removing just a sample of tissue by cutting through the outer layer of the ovary could allow cancer cells to escape and cause the disease to spread. If the diagnosis is ovarian cancer, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of disease. Staging is a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the body. Staging may involve surgery, x-rays and other imaging procedures, and lab tests. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

Question: What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer vs. ovarian cysts? I had an ovarian cyst about two years ago. My sister has PCOS and there's a good chance that I have it as well. I'm more concerned that I have a possible tumor though. I looked up the symptoms for ovarian cancer and I have almost all of them except for maybe one or two. I'm really scared. I'm only 17 and I have no idea how to approach my parents about it. If I do have something wrong with me though, I don't want to wait until it's too late to try and get help. I also have symptoms that could possibly just be another cyst, although I did just get my period so I don't think that it could be a cyst. It could even be uterine prolapse, but those symptoms aren't the same as the gassy, abdominal pain and back pain I usually have particulary the week before and the week after my period. I also have a lot of underarm perspiration. Could this be another sign? Mostly I'm just scared that it might be to late and though I'm a strong Christian and I understand that there is a reason for everything.

Answer: It is usually not best to diagnose yourself without about 10 years of medical education and specialization - and even then it isn't a good idea. Make an appointment with your ob/gyn or family practitioner if you are worried about it.

Question: What kind of leg pain is associated with ovarian cancer? Hi, Im doing a project and Im at the symptoms of ovarian cancer and one of the symptoms is leg pain, but I'm having a hard time explaining it, is it just regular leg cramps that you get in your calf or does it radiate down your leg. Also I can't find out how intense the pain is, so what kind of leg pain is associated with ovarian cancer, and what leg pain should people be looking for! Thanks for the help! Also I read that the pain is usually in the shin not the calf is there any truth to that?? Thanks again!!

Answer: Actually to the person who said leg pain is not a symptom of ovarian cancer, they are wrong. It is a symptom of ovarian and cervical cancer and it is non stop bone pain down the tibia. Sometimes the pain shoots around the pelvic bone also, the reason why it is in the leg (and only one leg, not both) is because of the collection of nerves that meet at the pelvis. Once the tumor is big enough, it usually invades the pelvis and presses on one of these nerves.

Question: What are my chances of getting Ovarian Cancer if my Grandmother had it & passed away from it? My grandmother passed away from Ovarian Cancer in 2002. I have already had one pap smear that was negative, & had ovarian cysts every month for the past 1 1/2 years.

Answer: A pap smear does nothing to detect ovarian cancer -- it is for detection of cervical cancer. I know that there is a test that is for ovarian cancer. I can't remember now if it looks at DNA markers or can detect early ovarian cancer -- I do remember that it is expensive and has a high false positive rate; however for someone with a family hx of ovarian cancer, it might be worthwhile. I would talk to your doctor about what options you have.

Question: What are my chances of living with colon rectal cancer and ovarian cancer? I had a dime size spot on my colon, I also have sickle cell and fibroids in my uterus, then they told me I have ovarian cancer also. I have undergone chemo but it is not working, the doctor told me that my body is not able to fight it. I am scheduled to begin radiation next week. Can anyone help me? Am I going to die?

Answer: wow I will pray for you...But one question for you right back as part of my answer...why not live as though you were dieing?

Question: What do the livestrong-like ovarian cancer bracelets say? I had a friend with ovarian cancer who died three years ago, and I had one of the teal silicone bracelets, but forget,and was wondering, what is the saying that is embossed in them? No..thats not it,first person - those arent the like,offical ones. Lol.

Answer: "It whispers, so listen"

Question: On a ultrasound can ovarian cancer look like cysts? Becasue I heard the desease is hard to pick up? The ultrasound said about my rigth overi a small amount of non- specific free flid was seen in the Pouch of Douglas. My left overy was normal, but my right one is bigger, and showed up fluid in it. I have PMT every day without a perid like feels like I am going to get a period but do not, lower back pain, indigesion, bloating, etc. Can ovarian cancer appear as a cyst on an ultrasound and CT scans? Becasue I was told a biopsy is the only was to detect this, and a doctor told me yesterday a c125 for cacner is not relaiable. So can anyone tell me if cancer of the overies concidering it is hard to detect except for the last stages appear as cysts.

Answer: Second try! As regards the question: Can ovarian cancer look like a cyst? Sure it could. However, most of the references I can find talk about it as showing both cystic and solid components on ultrasounds and x-rays. Your best bet is to call your doctor to ask. Good luck!

Question: Has anyone heard of the granulosa cell tumor that causes ovarian cancer? It's a rare form of ovarian cancer that doctors don't really know how to treat. Anyone diagnoised with it?

Answer: I had not heard about this until I read your question so I did a little bit of research. This is a hormone based cancer that almost always occurs in the ovaries. Depending on when detected and size, etc. there is actually a very good prognosis so doctors are able to treat it. What is a major problem with this type of cancer is that it has the ability to reappear 20 to 30 years later, this occurrence is very common. That is the area that they are really having a problem treating. Here are a few links regarding studies and pathology reports on this. http://www.thedoctorsdoctor.com/diseases/ovary_granulosacelltumor.htm Here are some statistics on prognosis and survival with this disease. PROGNOSIS AND TREATMENT CHARACTERIZATION Prognostic Factors All tumors have malignant potential 90% are stage I, limited to the ovary Size of the tumor, mitotic figures, and nuclear atypia important in overall survival 5 Year Survival With no atypia-survival 92% With moderate atypia-survival 30% 10 Year Survival Tumors <5 cm-survival 100% Tumors 6-15 cm-survival 57% <2 MF-survival 70% >3 MF-survival 37% Metastasis Recurence can occur in the pelvis and lower abdomen Distant metastases are rare but tumors may recure 2-3 decades after initial diagnosis Treatment Total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for postmenopausal woman Salpingo-oophorectomy may be acceptable in younger woman wishing to preserve fertility Hope this helps you a little.

Question: Is it possible to have ovarian cancer at the age of 15? I've seen an ad on TV about the symptoms of ovarian cancer: back aches, inexplicable weight gain and loss ... I have both of those; the lower back pains have been persisting for more than a couple of years but I've always ignored it. I'm wondering if it's possible for me to have the cancer? Well, I can say you've eased a whole load off my mind Cowgirl Nurse. And yeah, I'll go see a doctor anyway. Thanks for answering the question. =)

Answer: Very, very unlikely. Back pain can be caused by a hundred different reasons. Television gives lousy information, when it comes to healthcare. All most of those ads do is confuse people and make them worry about something that they only give a portion of the information on. See your doctor for a thorough physical exam anyway. You should have that once a year, no matter what.

Question: what are the symptoms of ovarian cancer? please give me details on ovarian cancer... and how often it is for women to have??? Im worried that i could possibly have it.

Answer: Ovarian cancer is usually associated with a tumor or germ cell on or near the ovary. As far as symptoms, it is not very concrete. You are unlikely to feel a lump as you would with Breast Cancer. Ovarian Cancer affects 1 in every 55 women. It is the second highest killer of women followed only to Heart disease. Though more women will get breast cancer, proportionally, more women will die of ovarian cancer because it is not as common. Definitely go see your gynecologist to be sure. They have made great strides, it is a curable disease if caught early enough. Teal ribbon month is September

Question: I have ovarian cancer and I feel so full all the time? I have ovarian cancer. I feel full at all times. I am going through chemo treatments. But I am never ever hungary. I am older and losing weight from it. I don't know what do to cause I never feel like eating. I just feel full all the time. I also dont know what to eat because anything I eat I usually vomit. I don't know what to do anymore. Anyone suggestions?

Answer: You need to speak to your doc about this. You can be prescribed meds that will keep away the nausea and another med that will increase your appetite. At this point drink meal supplements like ensure. That will at least help with your nutrition and caloric needs.

Question: Why is all the focus for cancer on Breast cancer? Why not ovarian cancer? My wife recently went through ovarian cancer and went through treatments, however all you ever hear about is the "Power of Pink" which is always related to Breast cancer, is there a reason why ovarian cancer is not recognized?

Answer: My wife has kidney cancer and we have felt this way for four years.We think the focus should be on all cancer.