Ovarian cancer vs IBS

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My mum went to hospital with symptoms of loss of appetite, bloating, pain from the right rib, down the same side, back and lower stomach. She was initially told she had a bacterial infection in stomach or where her gallbladder used to be and was prescribed antibiotics. Once finishing these, she still had symptoms so went back. Another doctor found a mass in the left ovary using a 'simple iltrasound' (he insinutated this wasnt the best source of scan) and couldn't provide any further detail. We paid for a transvaginal and ultrasound privately - we were told there is a 4cm complex cyst with 'solid components' on the left ovary, yet there was a lot of gas and was unable to see the right ovary... Today she did another ultrasound and the doctor couldn't say much, and she also did the ca125 blood test - results pending. Another GP we spoke to suggested the chest pain was indigestion. It seems odd the pain she is experiencing is on the other side of where the complex cyst is. I know there are people out there who have unfortunately been diagnosed with IBS and ovarian cancer has been missed. Has anyone experienced anything similar or have been going through cancer screening yet the pain in the opposite side turned out to be IBS or anything similar? She is 57 slightly overweight, has high blood pressure. She says she has more diahroea than normal, loss of appetite and some foods make her feel worse such as breads and pastas. She has no bleeding.

  • Hi, I had very similar symptoms, in fact, I put a post on Facebook because I also thought I had IBS. Initially I was scanned for gall stones but that came back negative. I went back to the doctor and actually saw my own doctor and after telling him my symptoms he asked me if there was any cancer in my family. This was a real shock when you think you have IBS but I have him to thank for getting the ball rolling. I have now had a total hysterectomy and removal of omentum and parts of my peritoneum and am setting the oncologist next week. My CA125 went from 66 to 137 in a matter of weeks so if your mum's results do come back high get her to push for more scans , CT or PET, the quicker it is diagnosed the better. Fingers crossed for your mum and you.

  • Hi 

    Thanks so much for your response. Do you mind if I ask how old you are? The Dr's keep telling the complex cyst is likely cancer due to her age. The NHS are moving quite fast - she has her MRI on Tuesday and FIT blood tests on Wednesday this week. I called her gp on Friday to ask if there was any news from the ca125 but they said they hadn't received results yet. Have you had your results back from the op? My mums Dr has told her they may not know its cancer until the cyst is removed... Although googling things online suggests the MRI should show if if has spread which is clearly done before the op.

    Things are quite confusing and difficult now I am trying to stay strong for my mum but I am crumbling inside.

    Any help anyone can give is greatly appreciated.

    Anna

  • Hiya, I'm 51 , I had my op 3 weeks ago Tuesday, they removed my womb, cervix, tubes, ovaries, omentum, part of my peritoneum and Lasered parts of my intestines. We didn't know it was cancer until the results came back after the operation but I had a gut feeling. I'm seeing the oncologist on Thursday coming to discuss chemo etc. 

    Try not to worry, once they think it may be cancer they do move pretty quickly and having a positive outlook really helps, I know I will probably feel rotten during chemo but at the moment I feel good, no more pain, bloating has gone down and I no longer suffer diarrhoea, though I did for about a week after surgery. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask.

  • Thanks for your quick response. You have been a great help - the support in posts here is amazing!

    I wish you all the best in your treatment - I know I'm not going through the same thing, this is about my mum but feel free to message if you need to talk. I will post updates as and when we have them at least for the benefit of others who are at the start of tests etc.

  • You are welcome and I hope all goes well for your mum as I'm sure it will. 

    Take care of yourself and your mum and I'm sure we'll speak soon.

  • Hi again...

    My mum had her MRI and a contrast CT scan today for her chest, stomach and pelvis. They've said her gynacologist will receive the results in a few days or up to one week. Why would they scan other areas - I feel like they might know something but aren't telling us. No ca125 results yet - the blood test was done on Thursday last week so there is probably a delay due to the weekend.

    Thanks

    Anna

  • Hi Anna,

    I had the same CT scan as I had pain when taking a deep breath, yawning and sneezing  and then had to go for a PET scan, I have an enlarged lymph node in my chest but they still don't know why which is the reason I'm stage 3c-4, they won't keep anything from you but they probably won't tell you something unless they're sure. CA125 results normally take about 5 working days , I expect you'll get the scan results at the same time.

    Keep me updated as it sounds as though your mum is going through the same as me.

    X

  • Thanks for your response. Did they see your enlarged lymph node after or before surgery? I'm absolutely terrified to be honest I worry we will get some sort of 'we can't do anything further for her' news. I will post any updates here. Take care of yourself x

  • They saw the enlarged lymph node before surgery, it was spotted when I had a CT scan on June 11th, I had a PET scan two weeks after that and my surgery was on July 12th and my doctor originally suspected cancer on April 11th so it's all happened pretty quickly. X

  • I see  sorry I read so many posts here and it all gets confusing. Nobody's journey is the same. Will keep you posted hopefully we have some news this week or at least an appointment. X