Ovarian cancer

Reed 27 days ago

1 reply
35 subscribers
163 views

Hi , I was diognosed to start with stage 3 ovarian, and was going to start treatment, then a certain pathology can back from a abdominal biopsy and gyny rang me and cancelled my appointment with there oncology and referred me to colorectal team as said the pathology wasn't coming from ovary they said appendix? But didn't really answer any questions was very careful what they said . I since spoke to colorectal specialists nurse as she referred me for colonoscopy, pet scan and gastroscope, but again would really answer anything, she said we need to check bowel , I had that done yesterday, they couldn't see any obvious cancer in the bowel but all around the appendix was closed , not normal, they have taken biopsies will be 3-4 weeks wait . They say it's paramount they get the correct primary cancer to treat correctly. So am I to presume the ovaries is the secondary and it's spread from the primary? Otherwise surly they would be treating me ? What do u think ? Thanks , I am trying to keep very positive and working and keeping normal, I have some symptoms of ovarian but not the huge stomach, I have some pelvic fluid bloating and feeling full , my ca125 is only 97 , I have a lump you can feel just above my belly button . I am hoping I haven't got 2 primary s surely that would be very unusual and they would be treating me ?

Pauline - Macmillan 26 days ago

Dear Reed

Thank you for getting in touch with the Macmillan online community, my name is Pauline and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support line.

I am sorry to read that you are going through such a difficult time. Having investigations for cancer is a very challenging time. The feelings of uncertainty are particularly difficult when further investigations are required before a treatment plan can be made.

I am glad to see that you have been allocated a specialist colorectal nurse by your team. This nurse will be your eyes and ears at any multi-disciplinary meetings, the nurse is also your voice at these meetings, and can put forward any questions you may have.

At this point in your investigations the team don’t yet have the answers to a lot of the questions that you most likely have. They are careful with their answers because they do not want to mislead you in any way.

You may find it helpful to have a look at our questions to ask, which can help you to make the most of your appointments. We would also encourage you to take someone with you to your next appointment, so that you have another person to listen to the answers given. It may be helpful to take a pen and paper to make a note of anything that is said.

With any cancer diagnosis, it is important that the team know as much as they can about the cancer to enable them to offer you the best treatment plan for your particular diagnosis.

When cancer cells are found in a place that they did not originate, such as the appendix cells that have gone to the ovary, the team need to look at the original source of the cells to get a better assessment of what is going on.

Your initial biopsy results had indicated that the cancer cells had originated from the appendix. Appendix cancer is a rare type of cancer which can be neuroendocrine , appendiceal adenocarcinomas, or goblet cell adenocarcinoma. The treatment plan may be different depending upon which type of appendix cancer is found.

Some people find talking to others who are going through a similar experience can be helpful. You may find our online forum for people with rare cancers is a safe place to talk to others.

Please feel free to give us a call on our helpline, 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us if you would like to discuss further.

PG/AR

Take care and best wishes

Pauline

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

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Ovarian cancer