You can see my mom's story on my profile. She has stage 3c Ovarian Cancer (endometrioid). She is only 58. She raised me as a single mom and is the only thing I have left in this world. Please provide any suggestions for treatments/clinical trials that worked. THANK YOU!
Step 1 (Dec 2017): Underwent a massive debulking surgery and hysterectomy.
Step 2 (Jan-Apr 2018): treated remaining cancer spots on outside of colon with carboplatin/paclitaxel (Taxol) regimen every 2 weeks for 4 months.
Step 3 (May 2018): CT scan clear and CA125 was 0 at one month post-chemo.
Step 4 (Aug 2018): CA125 result increased to 500. CT scan results pending.
Does anybody know what happens next? Any ideas on the next line of treatment? She lost all hair (she is ok with that). Still has lingering leg cramps & pain and is worried whether she can undergo more rounds of chemo. She is very healthy (weight/height). No pre-existing health conditions. Non-smoker & non-drinker.
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AnxiousDaughte
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Im so sorry yr mum and you are going through. Is yr mum worried because she doesnt think she is well enough or is it because she thinks the medical profession wont let her? as long as yr mum is able to cope with the side effects and her bloods are ok I cant see they wont offer her more chemo. Its worth asking yr mums onc about trials or looking at the cancer research site which will give details of what trials. are available and what the criteria is to be able to take part. Wishing you both all the very best, do let us know how things go. Big hug to you both xx Kathy xx
Thanks Katmal. My mom's blood counts have always been excellent throughout all of this so far (except the CA125). She is well enough, but were just worried about the efficacy and availability of 2nd line treatments for platinum-resistant cancer cells like her scenario. I am definitely researching clinical trials.
Hi sweetie I had my first recurrence 4 months from front line chemo and was put on CEBOC trial in U.K.(do a search for the trial) I have had 13/18 weekly taxol with the addition of Cediranib.
It’s horrible getting a recurrence but don’t give up hope and your mum should be fine to get more chemo if she is healthy and coped with her first line ok.
I lost my hair the first time with taxol but this time I have used the cold cap and it’s actually grown whilst I’ve been on treatment x
I too am 3C and my onc has said there are still lots of options open for treatment there are ladies on here who have had 5 or 6 rounds of chemo and are still here and fighting this beast xx
Got everything crossed your mum is coping with the emotional aspect of a recurrence it’s awful but she is strong and can do this
The leg cramps are very likely to be low magnesium. My original chemo caused my kidneys to leak magnesium but I was not tested for this until I inisted. Now I have to have regular infusions of magnesium. I have stage 3C clear cell, had a huge but successful operation and recurred immediately after frontline chemo. I was offered caelyx but decided to get a second opinion and paid for a consultation at the London Clinic. I am now on a clinical trial at the UCLH Research Facility and have been stable since I started just before Christmas. I travel to London from Cornwall every fortnight .
If you recur less than six months after chemo you would be considered to be platinum resistant. So your mum may be offered chemo but it’s likely to exclude a platinum based drug such A’s carboplatin.
Until you see the scan results it’s quite difficult to know what is going on as it could be pelvic inflammation.
Yep, I just came to the conclusion that this is platinum resistant. Ugh. Hoping that the FDA's recent approval of Bevacizumab (Avastin) for endometrial ovarian cancer will work or maybe some other treatment. Still waiting on the scans today and for the oncologist's recommendation tomorrow.
Hi. I'm sorry for what your mom and you have to deal with, but just wanted to add my vote to the other ladies and say: Even if it's a recurrence (wait for scan result) , don't give up. Maybe surgery is an option, else a different chemo therapy or even a trial could be offered.
If side effects prove too much, there is always the option of reducing the dosage a bit, or possibly switching to another drug.
Sad truth: About 70% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at a late stage, because the disease is often undetectable in early stages. Nonetheless, it's quite possible for many of us to keep living a worthwhile life for years to come, even with/between treatments and recurrences.
I'm heartened by the fact that you follow the medical details of your mom's cancer (personally, I believe it's useful to stay informed) and support your mom so well. Let us know how you two get on. Best of luck with the scan. Maus
Thank you for the encouragement Maus. Yes, it is very unfortunate that this was diagnosed so late. Still holding out hope as endometrioid seems to have a better response rate to chemo than other cell types. You only have one mom in life, so I have to take care of her like she cared for me as an infant.
Ok,leg cramps drink more water. Banana a day. If cancer is back in an organ they can remove they will, and chemo again. Are you in us or UK. Treatment. Varies by country. I'm in US stage 3 also. Diagnosis 2014, April. Best wishes go as aggressive with treatment as your mom can handle. And your daughter needs to have ca125 test done yearly. Hope everything goes well. ❤❤Liz
Wow good to hear you are still fighting! My mom is a tough lady in good health (minus the cancer), I definitely believe she can make it through more chemo. We are in US. I will definitely keep up with CA125 results. Thank you for the advice!
US has very aggressive treatments. I did regular IV chemo along with intraperitinel chemotherapy, aka stomach wash chemo. Ask Dr about it supposed to add yrs to life and time btwn reoccurance. It's an aggressive approach. I'm in so Cal, my doc is in Palm Springs. Best wishes, Liz
Hello there... I joined this site very recently and as my two daughters and two sons are very upset and worried your post struck a chord with me... A week or so ago I found a large tumour on my breast which is cancerous, and Im about to be told the results of the histology,and decisions will be made for treatments , which of course is very scary and will include surgery and chemo most likely. I hope your mother is doing well and Im sure your love and support will be a huge factor for her mental strength. xx
The fact that more advanced treatments for cancer are available these days helped assuage my fears about chemo. Although the uncertainty of it all is terrifying, I am hopeful because there have been so many advancements in this area including radiology, surgery, and meds. Good luck, I hope you find some good news.
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