No surgery

[Centriole]

Hello.

Aunt diagnosed with stage 3. After 3 cycles of chemo surgery was scheduled but after opening her up they said surgery was not feasible due to pattern of spread and would continue with chemo and Avastin. Anyone have a similar experience?

[Centriole]

I should add, she is 70 years old, was in excellent health prior to diagnosis. I am hoping to know what to expect. Have there been good outcomes on chemo only with out surgery?

[harpist_UK]

Hi - I am also stage 3C, diagnosed November 2015. After 3 cycles of chemo I was advised that surgery would be of more risk than benefit because of diffuse scattering and closeness to bowel and major blood vessels. They said I'd have a better quality of life without, as I was doing brilliantly on the chemo (carbo/taxol). They said at my local hospital that they had to guarantee to get 90% of the cancer out in order to proceed, and that I risked a stoma, and that continuing with Avastin would be better for me. I got down to virtually NED and CA125 20 - reviewed again after 6 chemos finished, but they still said there was no point in the op as it would come back anyway. I carried on with Avastin with a very good, active life (back to normal, and even went skiing in January 2016) till Feb 2016, then time off treatment, then recurrence from July 2016. Treated with carbo/gemcitabine but abandoned after 3 cycles as I am now platinum resistant. At this point I got a second opinion at the Christie who advised same as local hospital - weekly taxol. I still feel ok! The Christie have not ruled out surgery now and it is one of the options they may consider for me in the future, but it would only be palliative, not curative. As you can see, there are many twists and turns in the story and what's right one week might not be right the next - I trusted my doctors and went along with it, and they've given me a good life up to now. I hope the same happens for your aunt. Always remember you can get a second opinion if you're not sure. If you get a good result with the rest of the chemo then they will probably review again.

I am 65 and have an active lifestyle - do lots of walking, Pilates etc. I think it helps!

[Centriole in reply to harpist_UK]

Her reason for no surgery is the same. Thanks for sharing your story.

[Seasun36-uk in reply to harpist_UK]

May I ask how you go about getting a second opinion? Is it via the GP?

[harpist_UK in reply to Seasun36-uk]

Yes, you can do it via your GP. Mine was done through my local oncologist who sent me on to the Christie to see if they had more options than the local hospital could offer, so that's another route.

[GoldenGourd]

I was refused surgery after the first 3 chemos. My surgeon was very risk averse. I sought a second opinion from the Royal Marsden and they recommended a retry of surgery. By then it was only possible after the sixth and last chemo of that line but I got it. They removed all visible signs of disease. It might be worth trying a second opinion. Good luck and hope the chemo and avastin work well.

Xx Netti

[Leeanne84]

I had major surgery in Sept 2016 couldn't remove all so had 6 rounds of chemo along with avastin, just had my scan last week and the 2 visible lesions are now gone so now been put on letrozole. All the best to your auntie x

[Bliney]

I was repeatedly told that my tumour was inoperable which was complete nonsense. My GP referred me for a second opinion at Queen Charlotte's / Hammersmith and surgery went ahead. All the visible cancer was cut out and I am now on chemo.

[IrishMollyO]

Hi

I’m not sure if your aunt has OC or PPC . I was diagnosed with stage 3c PPC in 2011. In my case there was no solid tumour and just seedlings of Cancer scattered in my peritoneum throughout my pelvic area. I had chemo only and was NED until Feb last year 2016. Recurrence in Peri Aortic lymph nodes . More chemo and was pronounced stable just before a Christmas last year . However fate had something else in store . Unrelated Lobular Breast Cancer and mastectomy three weeks ago. On Tuesday I will be told my Pathology results and what my further treatment will be.

I am telling you my story so you can see that chemo only has results where surgery is not possible . Of course I would go with the second opinion advice just to ensure that all possible is being done. I wish your aunt all the best for future treatment. Take care

XXX

[Centriole in reply to IrishMollyO]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you the best with the upcoming results