Ovarian Mass 24 cm

Hi Sonia- please try not to worry too much about your Mom-easier said than done! I am 74 and on a rouitine us scan on Dec 10th 2014 they found a pelvic mass. I was in the best of health going to the gym,swimming and walking daily! The cat scan will show if there is any fluid in abdomen or any spread in the rest of body-I had none and hopefully your mom will be the same. Within 7 weeks from start to finish I had scans,blood tests for CA125-( normal is 35 mine was 27.Your mom's bloods were fine ! That's great news) - then I chose to have a hysterectomy,because of my age it's the best option cos it will prevent any further troubles.4 weeks on I'm feeling great again,tho taking things easy and being careful not to lift etc,but I am out socialising and driving again. Most times it's NOT cancer,but like you I worried all through December and new year. My daughter was scared too! Good luck x

Hi Sonia,

Gosh I bet that was a shock for you both! I have a 21cm cyst on my ovary and I couldn't believe it had been in there the whole time. If your mum's bloodwork came back fine that is a really good sign - many cancers generate a protein that is picked up in the CA125 blood test. The CT will really help them to understand what the mass is made of.

Just in case your mum is wondering what to expect - the CT scan itself only takes about 10 minutes. I was in the hospital for about 2 hours in total. First when I arrived I was given a litre of water to drink, then half an hour later they put a canula in my arm (a little plastic connector like people get for hooking up and IV drip). Then half an hour after than I was ready for my scan. They asked me to remove anything that might have metal on, including my bra, and for the scan I had to pull my trousers down a bit. If I went again I would pick out better metal-free clothes like jogging pants! Anyway, for the scan, I had to lie on a bench with my feet in a large plastic doughnut shape (the scanner) and I lay there while the bench moved in and out a few times. Easy. Halfway through they used the canula in my arm to give me a small dose of "contrast fluid" to help things show up on the scan. Then it was done! The hardest bit was waiting for the scan with a full bladder. Everyone was very reassuring and it isn't that scary an experience. They kept me in for 15 mins after the scan just to be sure I had no negative reaction to the contrast fluid, then I could go home. 

This must be a scary experience for you and your mum, but try to stay calm until you know a bit more about what it is on her ovary. Even if there is a risk of cancer, at least they have found it now and can make plans to get rid of it. Best of luck with the scan tomorrow and please keep us posted. 

Pam. xx

Thank You ladies for your encouragement!

The bloodwork that she had was routine not sure if the test you mentioned is what she has done.

In the bloodwork she had done her liver was fine along with her other levels. She will go for a cat scan today, yesterday I picked up the drink she will have to take prior to getting the scan done.

The bloodwork and urine was taken a week prior to finding the mass.