I have been experiencing pelvic pain, pressure, and cramping in addtion to lower back pain for the past few weeks. it feels similar to the uncomfort I feel during menstruation. I am only 29 years old but seem to be experiencing several of the symptoms listed for this particular cancer. I would appreciate any information you may have on the subject. thanks.
Lower pelvic pain can come from many sources. Ovarian cancer usually does not show symptoms until it has advanced, thus it is known as a silent killer. if you have a family history (mother, sister) of either ovarian or breast cancer, you may want to request having a blood test (CA-125). However, this is also not an end-all test, as the numbers can be elevated if you endometriosis, infection, or other type of cancer.
First and foremost, you need to have a pelvic exam. if there is a growth, they MAY be able to feel it during this exam. if nothing can be determined from the physical exam, they will probably send you for a pelvic ultrasound (you can also request to have one done if your Dr. does not suggest it). During this exam, they will first use the ultrasound on your abdomen with a full bladder. Next, after you empty your bladder, they will use a wand (internally) to view your ovaries & uterus. they use color to see blood flow in your ovaries and anything that may be there. it could be something as simple as a cyst on the ovary. if there is a cyst, depending on the size, it could be a 'wait and see' if it goes away after a cycle. if it does not or is extreamly large, it may be suggested that it be removed.
Also, what side is it on? if it is on the right, they will rule out everything first before jumping to the cancer conclusion. it could be the apendix, gall bladder, or the GI tract. if it is on the left, it could be the pancrease or GI tract.
The only way to KNOW it is cancer, and even endometriosis for that fact, is to surgically look at it and do a biopsy.
Otherwise, symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
Abdominal/pelvic discomfort or pressure
Back or leg pain
Bloating
Changes in bowel function or urinary frequency
Fatigue
Gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., gas, long-term stomach pain, indigestion)
Malnourished or wasted appearance
Nausea or loss of appetite
Unusual vaginal bleeding
Most of these are due to the growth on the ovary causing the discomfort. Just so you know, a motto most Dr.s go by is "if you hear hooves, look for a horse, not a zebra", in other words, they will look for the common problem, the obvious, not the needle in the hay stack.
Many times, pelvic pain cannot be 'diagnosed', or it could be referred pain, coming from a totally different source, such as your back. There are nerves that run from your spine and wrap around to the front to the top of the inner thigh. if these are damaged or irritated, they can cause pain in the pelvic region.
The most important thing is to be your own advocate, because no one else will. if you don't like an answer, get a second opinion. Until they can tell you what it is or until they can rule everything else out, don't stop trying to get an answer.
I say this because I have just gone through the same thing. Back in may of 06, I started having pelvic pain. I thought it was a re-occuring cyst and just called my Dr. for some pain pills. she told me to come in since I hadn't seen her for this in over 6 months. she sent me for an ultrasound. Well, I had no resolution at that point and it still really hurt (we did find cysts & a gallstone that had to come out). During the course of the next two months, I saw 13 different doctors and had just about every procedure done below the waist. We tried medical management with birth control to help the cysts and finally, on December 30th 2006, I had my right ovary & fallopian tube removed. Good news, no cancer, no endometriosis. it turned out to be a very fiborous cyst producing ovary. Now, a month later, my pain has subsided substantially.
Under my sources, I have included two web sites, one for ovarian cancer and one for endometriosis. make an appointment with your gynocologist, write down ALL of your symptoms and take that list with you to your appointment. Write down any changes your body has shown, even if you don't think it's related. when you write it down and take it with you, it helps make sure you don't forget to tell the Dr. everything.
Good luck! the chances are it's nothing super serious, but make sure you keep those Dr.s working until you are satisfied with the results.
Is there any history of ovarian cancer in your family? Some women have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation which increases your risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Ovaries are a tricky thing to monitor. your symptoms sound like it could be a variety of things – take a list of questions to your doc, get an ultrasound and report any changes to the doc. Many women with ovarian cancer feel very few symptoms which is why it is often not caught until a later more deadly stage. Listen to your body and be good to yourself. Any docs or women with histories of breast or ovarian cancer with early age onset out there that are not aware of BRCA1 or BRCA2- get educated on this mutation.
Ovarian Cancer:
Recognizing ovarian cancer symptoms
Ovarian cancer often shows no obvious signs or symptoms until late in its development. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
General abdominal discomfort and/or pain (gas, indigestion, pressure, swelling, bloating, cramps)
Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or frequent urination
Loss of appetite
Feeling of fullness even after a light meal
Weight gain or loss with no known reason
Abnormal bleeding from the vagina
These symptoms may be caused by ovarian cancer or by other, less serious conditions. it is important to check with a doctor about any of these symptoms.
To help find the cause of symptoms, a doctor evaluates a woman's medical history. the doctor also performs a physical exam and orders diagnostic tests. Some exams and tests that may be useful are described below:
Pelvic exam includes feeling the uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum to find any abnormality in their shape or size. (A Pap test, a good test for cancer of the cervix, is often done along with the pelvic exam, but it is not a reliable way to find or diagnose ovarian cancer.)
Ultrasound refers to the use of high-frequency sound waves. These waves, which cannot be heard by humans, are aimed at the ovaries. the pattern of the echoes they produce creates a picture called a sonogram.
CA-125 assay is a blood test used to measure the level of CA-125, a tumor marker that is often found in higher-than-normal amounts in the blood of women with ovarian cancer.
Lower GI series, or barium enema, is a series of x-rays of the colon and rectum. the pictures are taken after the patient is given an enema with a white, chalky solution containing barium. the barium outlines the colon and rectum on the x-ray, making tumors or other abnormal areas easier to see.
CT (or CAT) scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
Biopsy is the removal of tissue for examination under a microscope. a pathologist studies the tissue to make a diagnosis. to obtain the tissue, the surgeon performs a laparotomy (an operation to open the abdomen). if cancer is suspected, the surgeon performs an oophorectomy (removal of the entire ovary). This is important because, if cancer is present, removing just a sample of tissue by cutting through the outer layer of the ovary could allow cancer cells to escape and cause the disease to spread.
If the diagnosis is ovarian cancer, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of disease. Staging is a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the body. Staging may involve surgery, x-rays and other imaging procedures, and lab tests. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.