Topic: Anyone ILC and Ovarian Cancer?

I was diagnosed with ILC, 1.8 CM ER+,PR-, HER2-  (node negative) in Feb.  My surgeon suggested that I see my gyno to have my ovaries removed but did not say that there was an increased danger because of the type of bc I had.  She said that women who have bc are at higher risk of developing ovarian cancer in general.  Haven't done that yet.  You probably do not know about your node status yet because they usually check that when you have surgery.

When I had a cat scan, they had me drink a sugary orange drink that I'm sure had some radioactive stuff in it as well.  After a short period of time, they did the cat scan.  They said that if there is cancer, it shows up in the scan.  From what I have read, cancer is a sugar feeder and that's what makes it "light up" in the films.  They could tell by the scan that my lungs were clear so I'm guessing the same is true of your ovaries.  Don't know if they would do a biopsy or just remove the ovaries and then biopsy them.  I was told the surgery is laproscopic and the recovery is not difficult.

Sorry you have this added fear factor to deal with but try to stay in the present.  Easier said than done!  Please keep us posted.

Roseann

cammy----I had a large ovarian mass seen on CT scan (was done due to severe abdominal pain) that was suspicious for cancer. Pcp sent me to gyn who did a CA-125 blood test and transvaginal ultrasound. Even with all 3 tests it couldn't be determined whether it was benign or malignant; that could only be determined by biopsy of the ovary after it was removed. (gyn explained ovaries are too deep in the pelvis for  external biopsy). The mass had grown so large (nearly 8 cm) that it had to removed anyway, but fortunately everything turned out benign. I ended up with a TAH/BSO (there were cysts growing on the other ovary and in the tubes as well) and immediate surgical menopause.  Just a bit of good news--my mom had ILC and is a survivor of nearly 23 years without a recurrence and has never had any other problems.

anne

Will be thinking of you tomorrow, Cammy.  Hope all goes well. G.

Thanks to you all for thinking about me- Out the door to the appt.  Hope it doesn't cause the diarrhea side effect they mentioned. UGH - this is quite a humbling experience so far.  You sort of lose your modesty.  It feels a bit like back when I had my crazy delivery with my son.  I ended up not caring about who was looking at my va-jay-jay as long as it helped to get my son out safely! 

I'll let you all know results when I know ..probably Thursday or Friday.  If all goes well and it is "only" breast cancer , which means my surgery for bilat mx would be Nov 20th...I am thinking of having good friends over for a "TaTa to my Ta-tas" Party.  I think it would be good to be surrounded by my gal friends for a send off into this journey.

Until later this week... thanks again.   Cammy

Got some good news back from my CT scan!  Looked good - no abdominal or pelvic lymph node involvement, no masses on organs in the area.  The mass however was "inconclusive" - but right now I think that is good.  I will take an "inconclusive finding" over a Conclusive cancerous finding" any day.  Hopefully it is something that can be put on hold and dealt with after my bi-lat mx.(ex - a dermoid) I have an appt with Gyno-Oncologist on Thursday 12th.  He should be able to tell more and/or request more tests.  Even if I take it to the worst case - that the mass is cancerous- then it still means it is early and not in other organs.  Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.

Cammy,  I just noticed that you live in Escondido.  I lived on Miramar Air Station then in Poway in the early 60's. In those days there was nothing in Poway.  As a matter of fact students were bussed to Escondido to go to high school until Poway High was built.  I went to Poway High as a 9th grader, the year it opened, and then moved away.  I remember we would take a bus on Saturdays in the summer to a skating rink in Escondido.  I visited Poway about 8 years ago.  It has changed so much I couldn't believe it.