Stage 4 advanced ovarian cancer

[Sbhsbh]

My wife was diagnosed stage 4 ovarian cancer. She did 4 chemotherapy after that

did surgery , but surgeon told me as it was spread they couldn’t remove all that they could see. But they remove major tumors.

Doctor mentioned chemo after surgery and Avastin can help to destroy remaining cells.

Do you have any idea about this condition?

I am too worry about remaining visible cells. The size of them is about 1-2 millimetre

[Maxjor]

It is common to have chemo after surgery. The surgeons know that whether larger or smaller, the chemo will "mop up" what is left if the surgery got rid of all the "bigger stuff". I had chemo then surgery, then chemo and when I was done, I was NED (No Evidence of Disease). Also a Stage 4 and there was "too much"to do surgery first so they did a great job of figuring out how to get me cancer free by doing the chemo then surgery then chemo again.

Avastin is not a chemotherapy drug but it stops blood flow to the tumors. This then kills them. If your wife has "burden" of cancer on her bowels, they may wait to start Avastin till that is much less--or she can risk other complications but once she can safely have that drug, I know it works very well in combination therapy as well as as a maintenance drug after treatment with chemo is done. All about the individual what will work well. Wishing your wife luck and make a list of questions to ask at your next appointment so you don't forget the important ones you may come up with between now and when you see her doctor again. Good luck!! oxoxxo

[Darya1392 in reply to Maxjor]

So appreciated Maxjor,

When were you diagnosed?

Were remained some visible cancer cells in your body after surgery that surgeon could not remove?

Wish you are in remission for ever.

My wife will have two chemotherapy after surgery, the last one will be with Avastin infusion together.

She did 4 chemo before surgery.

[Maxjor in reply to Darya1392]

I was diagnosed in July of 2016. When my surgeon was done with the surgery, he said all he could see were "sand-like particles" of cancer and the remaining chemo sessions would get those---"mop them right up". And they did. Avastin at the end sounds smart and you may want to ask about using Avastin and maintenance when your wife is done--what are the pros and cons so you are educated as to why (I do not know the answer and each patient is individually treated so the reason he/she does something for your wife may be completely different than another patient. That's why its good to have your specific questions to ask. Please keep us posted and good luck again!

[Lyndy]

Hello

Your wife is having the same treatment as I had for stage 4... this is a standard approach and it sounds like the hospital is doing all the right things. I hope all goes well with her treatment and that she feels the benefit really soon. Lyndy

[Darya1392 in reply to Lyndy]

Dear Lyndy

Thank you so much for your respond.

When were you diagnosed?

Were remained some visible cancer cells in your body after surgery that surgeon could not remove?

I Wish you are in remission for ever.

My wife will have two chemotherapy after surgery, the last one will be with Avastin infusion together.

She did 4 chemo before surgery.

[MissEd]

My mum had 6 before and 2 after just no Avastin though. She is also stage 4 and was diagnosed in august 2016. She is about to start 4th lot of treatment after xmas

[delia2]

I had a 5 mm spot left after surgery but chemo got rid of it so I was ned after chemo.

[yudalef]

dear Sbhsbh,

surgery can do much with the big diagnosed tumors.

after surgery and PET CT if there are remains that responded to the PET, it is very

important and delicate process for your Oncologist, to check the possible ways of treatment

and its possible results on your body and on the cancer development.

don't run to any conclusions before getting few experts advice.

any added surgery on tiny remains can sometimes bring more harm than good.

trust yourself and be sure you are going to be healthy !

I wish you all the best and real recovery.

Yudalef

[mupash]

HI-

MY SURGEON TOLD ME THERE ARE ALWAYS CELLS LEFT AND THAT IS WHY YOU DO CHEMO. IT SHOULD KILL REMAINING CELLS. THEY WILL BE DOING CA-125 BLOOD WORK TO SEE HOW SHE IS RESPONDING TO THE CHEMO. REMEMBER, IF ONE TYPE DOESN'T WORK, THERE ARE MANY AND MANY COMBINATIONS. CHEMO THERAPY

IS NOT FUN AND WE DO IT BECAUSE IT DOES WORK SO WELL. SO BE HOPEFUL AND POSITIVE.

WISHING YOUR WIFE THE BEST OF LUCK!

LEE

[Hidden]

Hi there SbhSbh. I was diagnosed 3C in Nov 2011 (8 years ago). I had immediate surgery. Then 3 months chemo, followed by another major op, followed by 3 more months of chemo. I was then in remission for 18 months when it returned, as my oncologist had warned me it probably would (I did ask the question) . Back onto chemo for 6 months: Carbo/Caelyx/Avastin that time. It was an Avastin trial. I went straight into remission again. I've been grateful every day, as I'm still in remission. I'm age 73 now and I'm still feeling fit & well.

My understanding is that the "real" chemo kills off the remains of the tumours that the surgeon can't get rid of (perhaps they're in places he can't really get to as it could damage vital organs), then "maintenance" drugs, such as Avastin, restricts the re-growth of new growths. Best wishes. Pauline.