Clones,what next?.!,

[annieH1]

I've been on Olaparib for over 3 years,I'm BRCA positive and advanced stage four on diagnosis I was told then I was inoperable .Thanks to being on the Olaparib,I was able to have surgery last year when the cancer came back.At that stage it was found I had a tumour in my left Fallopian tube and in my right ovary plus seedlings in the abdomen.I was kept on the Olaparib as the cancer had only returned to one area and as I had wide spread cancer on diagnosis,this was a bonus.

I am getting scans every three months (on my request).It was found in January that I had a 9mm nodule again in my left pelvic area.On speaking to a medical professional it seems that my body might be desensitised to the Olaparib and that clone tumours are showing up where original ones were on diagnosis.I have another scan tomorrow and I will find out Ina few weeks what the next course of action will be.

As Olaparib is relatively new,only licensed here in Ireland since last year ,it is still not clear or known how long it can maintain the cancer.As we are all individuals ,we will respond differently to treatment.Ive had over three years of my cancer being maintained and Eventhough side effects can be a downer ,I've lived a good quality of life and at times I even forgot I had cancer.Now though ,it's becoming real again.The dread of a drug failing and the future doesn't seem so bright anymore.Times like this I remember what an oncology nurse said to me one time when I was distraught due to chemo and Avastin not working and I was going back on chemo again ,all over the space of 12 months.I was crying and blubbering like a baby and she turned to me and said,there is many,many types of ammunition in the arsenal yet,just because one doesn't work doesn't mean another one won't.She was so right.I think I was lucky to be diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2014 as,there are many new treatments on line since then with many more to come.If this was 15 or 20 years ago,I think many of us wouldn't be here now.Ill keep you updated on my journey xx

[Lind58]

I really hope all goes well with your scan, you can gain some insight as to what is going on, and beat the beast again ❤️ Sending good energy your way

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Annie. Sorry to hear about what you are going through. I was diagnosed in 2007 and you are right, new drugs are coming along all the time. I personally have had standard chemo and trialled Avastin, Cedaranib and currently (5 years 3 months so far) on a trial for Olaparib. There is a new trial for Olaparib, Molto, which can be given where someone has had good results with Olaparib and has it again. Might be worth looking into? I wish you well, Kathy xx

[ovarian1c in reply to Katmal-UK]

Hi, What stage were you? So glad your ok

[Katmal-UK in reply to ovarian1c]

Thanks. Stage 3

[Hidden]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I hope to go on Olaparib soon. Hearing about your experience is very helpful.

I’m thinking of you and hoping things go well for you. 🤗

[Lindaura]

Dear Annie,

So sorry to hear you have recurred on Olaparib.

All of us BRCA Positive ladies look to you and others like you as pioneers in the PARP inhibitor trials.

But for us, not yet in a PARP, we have had good results from second line treatment of Carboplatin and Caelyx, a combo far easier to tolerate than first line, but thankfully effective.

I think in your position, I would definitely opt for this Chemo, or, as it has been such a long time, the big guns, like Carbo and Taxol.

You want to get this disease out if you ASAP!

Even though it will be a hard six months, you should go for real heavy duty treatment. It can save your life.

Best wishes,

Laura