Ovarian Cancer Checks

Hi everyone I guess I'm just here for a little bit more information and maybe reassurance if possible. 
 

I'm only 22 so I know the possibilities are much slimmer of there being anything sinister but this makes the doctors checking feel slightly more concerning. I've been having a list of problems basically starting with really irregular periods - lasting 20-35 days of heavy bleeding + then 30-90 days before getting a period again. Accompanied with lack of appetite, fullness after a few bites, bloating even when not eating, constant nausea, extreme fatigue, 15kg weight loss and some more issues 
my doctors have initially checked all my hormone levels and looked for PCOS which all came back clear but my GP felt a lump when she did an internal examination so referred me for an US which I got within 2 weeks. 
I had the scan on Friday and was contacted on the Monday to say they wanted to check CA125 and refer for an MRI as soon as possible as they've found complex cysts. I went for my blood test this afternoon so will wait for results from this to come back.
 

They've told me they try to get a gynaecologist appt within the 2 weeks if possible but I'm not sure how it actually works. Would I need to get my MRI first and then how quickly after the scan will the gynaecologist be able to tell me about the results and what their plan of action may be? 
waiting to get the scan is one thing but of course it's another then having to wait for results and I'm not sure how quick the the turn around is. 
 

I'm trying to be optimistic that if anything it is benign especially as I'm so young but my mother and both maternal aunts have had breast cancer and I have a number of symptoms I know are associated with OC so I feel this doesn't go well for me. 
I'm not sure if you would get all of those symptoms with a benign cyst/tumour either. 
 

Thank you if anyone can help me in any way I would be so appreciative of your time and kind words right now. 

  • Hi

     

    I thought I'd reply as you haven't had any yet... I am here as my mum is going through the same thing. She is however 57 and postmenopausal so there are some major differences.

     

    She started to have pain on the right side, loss of appetite, and feelings of being full. The Dr initially said its a bacterial infection and gave her antibiotics. Her symptoms improved slightly so I went back with her. The first Dr noticed 'something' on the right side of her ovary on US and referred her for the 2ww. We then did another one privately and a TV. This Dr said she has a prolapsed uturus and a 5cm complex cyst on the left yet her symptoms are on the right. She has had a MRI, CT and the CA125, and also had the FIT tests. Nothing else has shown up on these scans aside from the uturus issue and cyst. She is going in today for an appointment to discuss a hysterectomy and the cyst will need to be sent for biopsy in case it is cancer.  You are very young, so please try and remain positive and that many of these cases will not be cancer, especially in younger women. I had a lump in my left breast a few years ago, I am 32 now and was referred urgently, it turned out to be nothing and disappeared after a week or two. The waiting is the absolute worst- but do ensure you chase your GP and anyone else you have seen. My mum received a call from our local hospital to go and see a gynacologist - is your GP the one who has told tou to make an appointment?

  • I'm perimenopausal so quite a bit older than you and I've just gone through the process of being checked for a suspicious adnexal mass found during ultrasound. I'd had the irregular bleeding, prolonged bleeding, bloating and some other issues but not all the same symptoms as you. After blood tests (normal), MRI and CT scans, I was told I had multiple benign cysts on both ovaries. From my paperwork it is apparent that the consultant had had results from each test after a week and the hospital holds weekly MDT meetings where the treatment plan is discussed. I'm sure it must vary accross the country. My results were all sent by letter and it took about 4 weeks, I'm sure if I had needed treatment I would have heard sooner. Good luck

  • Did they get to the bottom or put a plan in place for all symptoms? I've been having similar including losing weight & many symptoms. My periods are extremely heavy. I'm on two week cancer pathway, been waiting more than two weeks. I'm anxious but also if it's not cancer, do they look into it further or refer back to GP?

  • I know this a worrying time for you but if you can, try and stay positive, I know it's hard but if it is bad news, caught early it's treatable and there's lots of positive posts on here about surviving the big C x

    I'm in the early stages of the process following a long period of lower back pain, abdominal cramping, irregular bleeding and heavy discharge (which Gp told me 6-8 months ago was due to being perimenopausal) and I don't normally have periods as on continuous contraceptive pill, pain in legs, leg swelling and fatigue. I've had a smear and results were HPV and abnormal cells and received letter from hospital same day and have colposcopy and biopsy in 2 weeks. Cervical and breast cancer has been diagnosed in my Nan, 2 aunts and my cousin passed away at 42 from it as it had spread,all on my mothers side. 
    to be honest I'm bricking it a little bit and angry at myself for putting it off but I'm 2yrs and still waiting for gallbladder removal so dealing with that too! the % rates are in our favour and also rate of survival following treatment. 

     

  • I was told to contact my GP if I hadn't heard in 2 weeks so that they could chase up the referral so I would do that if you still haven't heard. I was contacted by phone by the hospital with just 48 hours notice of my initial hospital appointment.

    My tests results were all normal - but I've not been signed off from the hospital yet so I can't really answer if it goes back to GP. I have to go back for repeat blood tests next month and a womb biopsy in 6 months as womb lining is thick. My symptoms were at their worst around the time I went to the GP and for about a week after and then started to ease so I was actually starting to feel better in myself by the time I went for my initial scan so I've not seen the GP about treating symptoms since. 

    If its not cancer, I think it depends on what they find is causing your symptoms for what treatment you receive. I had polyps about 15 years ago that caused extremely heavy prolonged bleeding, cancer tests negative and I was given tablets to surpess the bleeding and then had the polyps removed and a mirena coil fitted and had no more issues at all . I was led to believe that the coil would be a suggested treatment for me again this time, but not heard yet.

    I'm sorry I'm probably not much help to you - just rest assured you won't be left to just suffer