Stage 3c ovarian cancer, suboptimal debulking, chemo 3 rounds and no shrinkage with remaining tumour, what now? Is this normal?

[Mbf123]

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Hi there... and welcome. I'm very sorry you have had cause to visit this site. I don't think there is a normal with this disease because basically, it's not one disease. It's a group of diseases under one title and within that there are stages of each sub-type. The way a disease affects us is due to the way the disease is dispersed (or not dispersed) across the abdomen too. The main aim of surgery is to remove all visible disease which isn't always possible. Chemo is used in an attempt to remove the remaining disease. I had a partial response to single agent carboplatin which, since my cells are typically platinum resistant is a good response although at the time, I didn't really understand this. The rest of my disease (which is across the abdomen) was fairly stable with only slow growth. Sometimes, stable disease is good because it can remain in that state for quite a long time before more chemo is required again. The fact that, on the whole, your disease is reduced is a good thing. Although the remaining tumour hasn't shrunk doesn't necessarily mean that it will grow any time soon. It may be what I would describe as 'being asleep' and if that is so, long may that continue. I suspect that you may have a scan again soon to see if there's any significant growth and if there is, at what rate it's growing. Your blood may be tested again too to check for and to track markers if these are significant for you. This illness is a difficult one to cope with for many reasons but you're with friends here who will give you lots of support if that's what you want. Ovacome has a nurse led helpline 0845 371 0554 so you could call Ruth or Susan tomorrow if you'd like someone to talk to who knows this familiar acquaintance very well. Love to you... Tina x x

[Mbf123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply

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I have residual tumours left after surgery in Aug 2012. They did not reduce with e final 3 Carbo/taxol. They have remained stable since.

I have had 2more lines of chemo since for progressive disease but as far as I'm aware the 2 tumours left after surgery have remained stable. I'm stage 1V

[Mbf123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply