How quick do you get chemo for recurrence

[Lovis]

Last time, I had chemo I had had an operation so the chemo was left 4 weeks. How long was it for all of you between the oncologist confirming it's return on the Ct scan and receiving chemo.

[Hidden]

Hi, with Sandra it was approx one week, but if your not feeling too good they would defer and start in 2weeks. However they may decide to watch and see and it could be months before chemo restarts. Xx

[Izzystep]

I had CT scan in September 13and started chemo again in the November 13. I was asymptomatic and it was the rise in CA125 to over 6,000 that prompted starting again. I suppose the oncologists will make the decision based on your signs and symptoms. I am on the gemcitabine and carboplatin mx with Avastin,

Good luck and let us know how you get on. Izzystep xxxxx

[Lovis in reply to Izzystep]

Did it show anything on your CT scan in September and at what stage did the CA125 go up?

[Izzystep in reply to Lovis]

The CT scan showed progression, so not sure if it was recurrence or just progression of the bits that were left after my debulking. My CA125 was at best 63 and steadily rose to 6,660 and at that point the oncologist said it was best to start chemo again. After 5 cycles its down to 670 so looking good, but after reading about CA125 I am not too bothered about numbers.

Some ladies and oncologists prefer the wait and see method whilst others want to zap straight away. As Gwyn says, "how long is a piece of string"

Love n hugs Izzystep xxxxx

[spikey62 in reply to Izzystep]

how are you finding the gem/carbo treatment? I have been offered this for my third line (also offered trial with trabectadine). I was very bad on taxol/carbo towards the end of last treatment.

[Hidden]

Hi Lovis,

Like Paul says it depends really on where it is and maybe even the extent of the disease we are all different some people on here have even waited up to a year... So I guess the answer is how long is a piece of string ?... I can understand you are anxious to start chemo once you know you have a recurrence...we all feel this way.

Best wishes love x G x

[Whippit]

Hi Lovis,

For me it was one year. They said I didn't need chemo straight away even though they could see stuff on the CT scan and my CA125 was going up. xxx Annie

[Lovis in reply to Whippit]

Were you high grade and which stage were you? I'm getting so scared.

[Whippit in reply to Lovis]

Oh I wish I could make you not scared. It's horrible if you're worrying like this. Let's hope chatting here helps - plus it might be worth chatting it through with your CNS or making another appointment with your oncologist so you understand what the plan is.

My tumours are undifferentiated so they're the highest grade. Just little specs that replicate very quickly, and I was Stage 3C with lymph node involvement. There was no evidence of disease after my first line of chemo and when the tumours grew back a year later and were visible on the CT scan they'd just grown back where they were before. They don't seem to have ventured anywhere else yet and I'm not looking at giving them directions either! lol

When I saw my surgeon after my op she suggested I might not want to return to work so I thought things were pretty bad. My GP explained that fast-growing tumours might not necessarily grow fast in me and that has been the case - so even if things do look bleak it doesn't mean to say it's all bad news.

Sending you love, hugs and a cup of tea. xxx love Annie

[Lovis in reply to Whippit]

Thank you. I' have a cup of tea now!!!

[Langstonelady]

Hi Lovis, I cant offer any facts or a similar experience but I can offer a virtual massive chocolate biscuit or two to go with your tea. Oh and hugs too, it must be very trying just waiting.

Lots of healing thoughts coming your way xxxx

Carol