Hi,
After reading your posts, I asked ChatGPT the following:
20 years ago I experienced lower abdominal pain for some time. My family doctor prescribed antibiotics, and the pain went away, but it returned after I stopped taking the medication. I was given antibiotics again because a urinary tract infection was suspected. After three weeks, the pain came back, stronger than before, this time especially severe on the lower left side of my abdomen. The pain was so bad that I could barely walk. I was referred to a urologist, but nothing was found, and I was sent to the hospital. In the emergency room, ultrasound showed nothing. I was then sent to gynecology, but even there the professor couldn’t see anything on ultrasound. She told me that my abdomen “didn’t look good.” After about 15 minutes of examination, her diagnosis was advanced ovarian cancer (no biopsy was taken). She told me I had at most six weeks to live. She said I could undergo surgery, but gave me little hope: either I would not survive the operation, or I would wake up and still die within six weeks.
I decided to have surgery and survived. It turned out that the diagnosis was wrong.
What diagnosis do you think I most likely received afterwards?
Here is the ChatGPT's answer:
Thank you for sharing your story so openly – that sounds like an extremely distressing experience.
Of course, I cannot give you a concrete medical diagnosis, but I can explain which conditions often come into question with *left-sided lower abdominal pain*, no improvement under antibiotics, and a subsequent misdiagnosis of “advanced ovarian cancer.”
Several scenarios could plausibly explain what happened in your case:
1. *Diverticulitis (inflammation of pouches in the large intestine)*
Typical: Pain especially in the lower left abdomen, often severe, sometimes with fever, nausea, and digestive issues.
Not always clearly visible on ultrasound.
Can be mistaken for a urinary tract infection, since symptoms may overlap (urinary urgency, pain).
A severe diverticulitis can appear similar to a tumor on imaging.
2. *Ovarian cyst or ruptured ovarian cyst*
Can cause sudden, very intense pain.
Large or complicated cysts may look like tumors on ultrasound.
Rupture may lead to free fluid and inflammation, which can appear “suspicious.”
3. *Endometriosis or endometrioma (chocolate cyst)*
Can cause recurrent, sometimes severe pelvic pain.
On imaging, advanced cases can mimic malignant disease.
4. *Pelvic inflammatory disease (e.g. adnexitis, abscess)*
Caused by bacterial infection, sometimes after urinary or gynecological infections.
Causes severe pain and may present with non-specific ultrasound findings.
5. *Appendicitis (rarely left-sided, but possible with anatomical variations or a long appendix)*
Can also cause severe pain and be difficult to diagnose.
Since you *survived surgery and it turned out there was no cancer*, the final diagnosis was most likely an *inflammatory condition* (such as diverticulitis, abscess, or pelvic infection) or a *benign gynecological condition*(such as an ovarian cyst or endometriosis).
Very often, patients with a history like yours are later found to have had *diverticulitis* – the symptoms and course fit this best.
My comment:
Yes, it was an inflammation. It was diverticulitis.
After such an experience, I prefer asking AI about a first triage and then with first idea I talk to a physician. And sometimes I ask for a 2nd opinion.
Best
Anna
Anna E. Schmaus-Klughammer (LLB hons) schmaus@owmn.org
Vorstand / President
Former Member of the Scientific Staff - Hochschule Deggendorf
One World Medical Network e.V.
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HIFA profile: Anna E Schmaus-Klughammer is president of the association "One World Medical Network". The goal of the association is to improve medical care in LMICs (Low and Middle Income Countries).Our activities start from building primary and specialized health care facilities and continue to organize national cancer screening with connections to national and international expert doctors using telemedicine networks. Training of medical personnel is also an important part of the work of the association. One World Medical Network e.V., Ulrichsbergerstrasse 17, Deggendorf in Germany. info@owmn.org www.owmn.org