Is removal of the ovary the only way to diagnose ovarian cancer?

I have an enlarged right ovary (3cm). I have had 2 ultrasounds, 1 MRI, 1 Cat scan. Part of the mass is solid which is causing the concern. The doctor, who I don't know from a hill of beans, says that the only way to determine if it is cancerous is to remove it, his reasoning being that if he opens it up while it is still inside of me, and it is, indeed, cancer, then the cancer cells would spread throughout my body. Is this the only way to diagnose ovarian cancer? I had the CA125 and it came back normal. I have had no other symptoms and I do not recover well from surgery. He asked me "Do you want to be alive with one ovary, or dead with two?

You could get a second opinion, but if he is a good doc, then I would listen to him. CA125 and the like blood works only tend to imply cancer or not. I don't think they are foolproof...you CAN have post-menopausal type of ovarian cysts, where an egg tries to get out/break free from the ovary and is unable to so it forms a cyst. Depends upon your age too whether that would be true or not. They just watch those with ultrasounds. But with the extra tests, it sounds like they are very concerned with something. Don't delay whatever you do...even if you are going to get a second opinion...

Take someone else with you to appointments where they explain stuff to you...sometimes you hear the word "cancer" and you can't hear anything else after that due to a feeling of shock...

personally i think his bedside manner could use some tweeking.

i would go for a 2nd opinion before having costly and dangerous surgery.

Why are you going to a doctor you have no faith in?
One way or another that solid mass is a tumor, and yes, the only way to tell is to remove the ovary since it won't do you much good once they cut a section of it to run it under the microscope for cancer anyway. If its not cancerous your other ovary will function just fine alone. Hes also correct in saying that if he cuts just the tumor out and it turns out to be cancer, if its not encapsulated, stray cells could be released into your body and cause you trouble later. Hes got the bedside manner of a mountain goat, but oncologists try not to get personally involved with their patients.
Ask him what happens if you come back positive, sometimes they want to do a hysterectomy to be on the safe side. Write down every question you want answered and make sure you understand it. Make him take the time to reassure you, you're paying for it.

Yes it is true, to determine if its cancer when it is still in your body cells can detatch from the tumor and the cancer can travel through your body to other organs. (this was told by a top urologist) My Mum was diagnosed with kidney cancer in May. They where going to take the kidney out before they tested it for that exact reason. She had a ct scan and discovered it had already spread to her liver and lung. So it didn't matter at that stage because she was terminal so they didn't take it out and biopsied it anyway. She pasted away Sept 7 after only a 4 month battle Mum was 60. I urge you to get a second opinion, doctors arent always right (trust me!!!) But in my opinion from what i have witnessed with cancer if you have discovered it early (thats if it is cancer) and have a chance of survival and it hasnt spread that is great. I wouldnt be gambling with my life ovarian cancer is usually very hard to treat. Contact me if you need to. x

Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is very insidious and is usually diagnosed after it has spread to other organs. This is mainly because most women have back, hip and abdominal pain which are the symptoms of many other illnesses. I would definitely get a second opinion and make sure you get your records from your present doctor (including all x-rays) and bring them with you to your appointment.

I have a lot of cancer in my family and truthfully, if my doctor advised me to have the surgery I would go ahead with it just for peace of mind....but you're the only one that can make that decision. Good luck.