Anyone tell me if they have had chemo but refus... - My Ovacome
Anyone tell me if they have had chemo but refused debulking surgery? am having 3rd chemo next week then C.T.scan is it worth surgery.
Dear Sheila
Are you new to the site? If so welcome to our friendship circle.
I think the question of surgery rather depends on where you are in life. For women who haven't started a family or would like more children it tends to be something they'd rather avoid. If surgery is essential to guarantee a good outcome I'm aware that eggs can be harvested.
Many of us are diagnosed later in life. I took the view that I'd go through whatever treatment the gynae-oncologist advised to give myself the best chance of survival. Many of us have a radical hysterectomy during which the omentum and any affected organs are removed. Much depends on the spread and type of tumour you have.
I was happy to go through with the hysterectomy. It seems like a major operation to us but the surgeons are so skilled they can perform the op and have us sitting up in bed feeling fine hours later.
I'm sure there will be many other replies and opinions to your question. You could also ring the Nurse-led Helpline at Ovacome. The number is on the main Ovacome webpage. They're really knowledgeable and helpful. Equally you should have access to an oncology nurse at your hospital who can go through all the options and aspects to consider.
Wishing you well in making your choices. Keep posting and we'll do our best to help.
Love Annie x
Hi, I would see what the scan throws up. Its my understanding with new patients to try and remove the source of the problem, ie the ovaries and surrounding tissues such as lining of the womb, tubes etc etc and anything else that is clearly seen, such as anything on the bowels etc. Then mop up the rest with chemo. Its also my understanding that there is great reluctance to have more operations if future spread is peppered around the pelvis area as there would be too many and too small sites. If however a scan shows a single mass of considerable size then removal would make sense. Its really down to the scan and your oncologist professional opinion to allow you to make the right choice. Hope this helps, love Paul xx
Hi there
Welcome to the club and you are now amongst friends who have been on the same journey.
As the other responders have said whether or not and when you have surgery depends on lot of things , your age , the stage of your disease , your type of tumour and where it is.
However you ate entitled to know why a particular recommendation is being made for you and the pros and cons of that approach.
It may be worth speaking to your consultant,s Secretary and asking for his or her email address so you can ask questions before you are seen. You may also wish to consider writing down your questions before the appointment.
Doctors who are good should be more than happy for you to do so , it will be you who will have to live with the consequences of any decisions.
Take care and get back to us if you have further questions or have more info for us.
Charlie xxx
Hi and welcome! I think it depends where you are, geographically, age-wise and in terms of OCs progress. I had an op first but the oncologist at my local hospital now prefers 3 rounds of chemo, scan and possibly op , then more chemo to mop up any cells. I echo the advice to ring Ruth, number on main Ovacome website ovacome.org.uk
Good luck
Love Wendy xx
Thank you for your replies, I will be 75 this year live alone but led a very active social life before this started in January. I have a lovely family but don't wish to be a burden and wonder if I will get back to being the person I was.
Yes, the usual is to have 3 rounds of chemo then a scan to see if debulking surgery is possible. I would certainly go for the surgery if it is offered - well worth it. I am a retired GP who has primary peritoneal cancer, a variant of ovarian cancer. I had debulking surgery after 3 chemo cycles, then another 3 chemo cycles after surgery, and this cleared any evidence of the disease. So do go for surgery if it is offered, I would say.
Best wishes.
Love,
Eileen xx
