Colon Cancer Support Group
Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from mushroom-like growths that are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the time, the diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy.
They found my colon cancer last summer 2008, stage 3. I had a colon resection and did 1 round of chemo. During my 1 year check up, my CT scan showed a cyst on my ovary. I had an ultrasound about 4 weeks later and it was still there. They asked me to wait and have another ultrasound in 7 weeks to give it time to go away. I'm waiting until November 20h for the next one. The doc said it's because they can't tell between 2 tests if they are looking at the same cyst from the CT scan and ultrasound. I met with the doc today doing my regular annual girl visit and she had forgotten that I had colon cancer last year. She seemed more alarmed and offered to move my ultrasound closer but I just said wait. But now I'm freaked. I've been reading on-line looking for any correlation between colon cancer moving to ovarian cancer. Is there anyone out there that has heard of that happening? I'm not having an upbeat day!
But there is definitely a correlation if you have "Lynch Syndrome." Because of your age (under 50) it's a possibility, I have the MSH2 genetic mutation for Lynch Syndrome, and had ovarian cancer 13 years ago (age 42) and colon cancer this year (age 54). Most cancers are curable if patients are screened properly and the cancers are caught early. I actually like the fact that your doctor is concerned - its means she knows her stuff! Having said that, waiting until November 20th is not going to make a big difference IMO.
If there is any possibility you have ovarian cancer, you need to see a gynecological oncologist, not just a regular gynecologist (although I like yours)! Dr. Karen Lu at MD Anderson is the best and an expert on Lynch Syndrome.
I also noticed you are from MIssouri. I have two friends in Kansas City who had ovarian cancer (13 and 9 years ago) and both are doing well (cancer free). . .let me know if you want a name for a doctor there.
I hope it's just a silly little cyst!
They told me not to freak until the pathology confirmed my fears, which they did. They refer the metastasis of a GI (including Colon Cancer) moving to the ovary as a Krugenberg Tumor. If you just have a polyp, count yourself lucky! My tumor in the ovary made life very uncomfortable because it grew to 25cm in diameter wrapped inside my pelvis, created 4 liters of abdominal fluid and accounted for 20 pounds of weight between the tumor and the fluid! Just take a step at a time, if yours is asymptomatic, they may do an exploratory laporatomy, which is not very invasive.
I hope this turns out to be benign for you! Stay Positive! And let me know if I can help!
So I am still going to hope it's just a cyst. . .if not, that it's a new early-stage primary. They can only tell for sure with a biopsy.