Pedunculated fibroid or growth on ovary

[LSig]

Hi,
I'm really scared over my symptoms.  Hoping someone can provide some assurance though I know I won't have that until tests, appointments.

I started having some uncomfortable pelvic pain and pressure several weeks ago accompanied by extreme fatigue, and overall sore joints, muscles, etc.  Difficulty with sleep, diarrhea.  I have a super stressful job, plus the holidays, etc. Have been in process of quitting smoking - and that also contributed to fatigue, overall malaise, etc.  But since doing that I feel much better. I'm quite active, but not in shape!

Just turned 52, postmenopausal for several years; no children; overweight but hike long distances. Went to GP who thought it could be hernia, appendicitis (it really felt like a muscle pull.) CT scan showed something near or on my right ovary, but she needed an ultrasound as it couldn't really be seen very well. Blood tests all fine except for something elevated in my liver (my guess it is the effects of the Wellbutrin I have been taking to stop smoking. She was not concerned about it.) During ultrasound technician said it looked like a pedunculated fibroid; looked at both ovaries but didn't spend much time there as it apparently wasn't showing anything; 3 fibroids in my uterus.  I know the techs really aren't supposed to say anything, but she was indicating she thought that was what it was.  My doctor called me back and said results were "inconclusive;" and either pedunculated fibroid or related to a growth on my ovary.  Needless to say, I was up then back down.

The irony is I feel better than I did and the pain has lessened, as well as the other symptoms.

She now wants an MRI and wants me to see a gynecologist and suggested a gynecologist/oncologist that is closer than my gynecologist.  She will see me again in two weeks to follow up.

I am scared as hell.  I know I have to wait for all the tests, etc., but my mind is going to the worst outcome.  I want this thing taken out.  My mother had a total hysterectomy when she was a few years younger than me due to benign tumours (maybe fibroids.) No cancer in my family, though I was diagnosed with DCIS and had some tissue removed from my breast about 7 or 8 years ago.  Fine since then.

My mother just thinks the GP is being cautious - and she likely doesn't see enough of these things. The GP even said the gyno/onco would probably just be able to read the films and know as he sees these all the time. And in fact, the technician sees more!  I guess I'm just grasping at anything to relieve my mind right now.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

[HVAC]

First of a GYN/Oncologist is not just for cancer. They do complicated issues that regular Gyns do not do. Fibroids are not cancer. They can be painful. Many women get them. The diarrhea might be stress it is not tied to fibroids I do not think. In a lifetime a woman has a 2% chance of Ovarian cancer and most of those women have the BRCA gene which causes cancer and ovarian cancer in their families.

Alex

[LSig]

Hi Alex,
Thanks for your response.  Yes, I know that fibroids are not cancer.  My GP remains unsure that what is on the film is a fibroid or not. Inconclusive is what she is saying.  I don't know if I have the gene. There's been no cancer, though both grandmothers and my mother had full hysterectomies so hard to know.  Believe they were (at least my mother's) non-cancer  reasons. Large benign tumors. Lord knows, back in the day they just removed everything regardless.
Yes, hoping I'm just being way too anxious.

[HVAC]

I am BRCA 1 but my grandmother and aunt died of ovarian around 50, my cousin had double mastectomies early, my dad die of prostate cancer, and my brother has prostate cancer young. With the BRCA gene it is lot of cancer of the sex organs young. I do not think you have to worry.

Anxiety is normal. I have found worry is trying to control the future and I can't. I have had 4 cancer scares which all turned out negative. Doctors just need to be sure. I also had a doctor tell me I had one of two brain conditions he was sure would kill me and there was nothing they could do and he was wrong.  Now I do not worry until all the facts are in.

Doctors are still quick to take the ovaries even though women need them for overall health. I had to have mine taken out because they were both cancerous. If they thought yours was cancer they move very fast. I had my ultrasound Friday. The GP called me Monday and told me it was cancer. I saw the gyn/oncologist Tuesday, had a CT Friday and was in Surgery Monday morning.

Even with late stage ovarian cancer I live a normal life. I am very happy as well. My husband and I do not sweat the small stuff anymore. I have a friend with a  rare worse breast cancer, a friend with brain cancer, and a friend who had a double mastectomey. I would not trade with any of them. Mostly ovarian cancer is not painful. They can give you drugs for the chemo. It is not like the old days. I have had 23 chemos so far.

I train dogs, ride horse, hike, and work on projects around the house.

You have a 98% it is not cancer those are good odds. They might not be able to tell what is going on with out surgery. You can stipulate they not take your ovaries. Also if you do not feel right about the doctor or the hospital you can get a second opinion. My first gyn/oncologist was a real jerk and the facilities were third world. I was so scared I went with him. I had to switch after surgery. I love my new oncologist. Plus the new one is a woman. With all the exams I like having a woman.

I am here with questions or if you are scared or need to vent. I was alone. My husband did not even go to the oncologist appointment. Oh if you can have someone go with you.

Alex

[old_before_my_time]

Just echoing what Alex said - Ovarian cancer and other gynecologic cancers (endometrial, cervical) are rare. Endometrial has the highest rate at less than 3% in a woman's lifetime.  

And yes, doctors are MUCH too quick to remove healthy ovaries as well as healthy uteri. Only about 2% of hysterectomies and ovary removals are done for a cancer diagnosis. 1 in 3 women has had a hysterectomy by age 60 and 1 in 2 by age 72. About 73% (I read recently that it is more like 78%) lose healthy ovaries at the same time. So these surgeries are obviously grossly overused.

All my organs were needlessly removed for a benign ovarian cyst. My gyn should have removed just the cyst and then sewed me up when the frozen section came back benign. The loss of my organs has caused a whole laundry list of problems - anatomical, skeletal, hormonal, sexual.

Hopefully, you have nothing serious going on. Let us know what you find out.