Long story short, I have bilateral cysts/tumours on my ovaries. One is 18cm the other around 10cm. I do have raised blood markers CA 125 was 181. The surgeon advised under 35 is normal but not alarmed under 200 for someone of my age (36) as it fluctuates so much during the cycle.
We have wanted a second baby now for 4 years and what has lead to finding these masses.
They gave me 3 options for surgery which will be open surgery:
Then this is where my heart and head cant make a decision. Head is saying go for option 2 in case but heart is saying option 1 as we would like another child, it is only suspected. Likewise what happens if I go for option 1 and then results come back positive and have to have surgery again.
Has anyone else been through a similar dilemma? And am I being stupid wanting to push for more children when I do want to be here to see my son grow up (aged 6)?
I don't feel like I have symptoms to suggest it is but I know it's not always the case.
Hi Sar14 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.
While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and proposed treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Sar14
Welcome to the Ovarian group.
My own cancer was endometrial and I have been through gynae surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. I normally can be found in the womb cancer group but happened to notice your post. Fertility decisions do come up in that group as with any gynaecological surgery it can be an important decision to make.
With CA125 it is a marker that is useful and a higher than normal level indicates the need for further investigation but in itself does not diagnose or exclude cancer. As your consultant said a level under 35 is considered normal so although yours is higher this alone is not a cause for immediate concern- levels can fluctuate and can fluctuate for different reasons.
It is an important and personal choice for you and your partner to make and no one can give you the right or wrong answer. I understand that you would like to have a brother or sister for your son.
As you are younger and fitter and have now symptoms I suppose that is positive in that you can consider each of the options given. Although there can be symptoms with any gynae cancer you are right in thinking that just because there are no symptoms it doesn't mean that all is ok.
When I had my hysterectomy with ovaries, tubes etc removed I was older than you with a grown up child. I also knew for certain that cancer was present- so for me it was an easy decision to make.
I can appreciate it is a head vs hear decision for all the reasons you state.
This link has some useful information and also some other links that may help at the end.
Fertility and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
I do think it is something that needs to be talked through and please do give the Support Line a call if it would help. I think only you can make the decision about what is important to you but just make sure that it is an informed one.
I wish you the best, whatever you decide to do. In the meantime we are here if you need us.
Jane
