Is surgery a second time an option?

[Tulip15]

Hello,

Mum has just been given the news that her scan shows thickening of some small nodules indicative of a return of cancer. This will be her third lot of chemotherapy and this time it’ll be carbo/caelyx. Is surgery again a thing? I only ask as she wasn’t originally offered surgery when she was first diagnosed and it wasn’t until we got a second opinion with Prof Christina in London that she had it (that’s a whole different story!) I am understandably a little worried that now we’re back under the care of the original hospital that they won’t even contemplate surgery as they didn’t the first time. Also not sure if it’s even a common thing though. We will obviously ask next week when she has her consultation but in the meantime I thought I’d ask on here.

Thank you.

[Bowler70]

I had2 nd surgery in a year to remove2 nodules which had failed to shrink enough with 5 treatments of Carbo Taxol. This was on 18 th December but by February my supposedly base line scan showed 3 new tumours in the exact place the others were removed from.

I am now having dose dense Carbo taxol again but cant help feeling the op was a waste of time . The scar was in the exact same place and recovery similar to the first time.

[Rankij11]

Hi,

Am really sorry as can’t help you with this as have no experience in these circumstances, but I wanted to know who prof christina was and where she works as I am considering going for a second opinion as I suspect my first recurrence has occurred . I have also had no surgery in first instance . I do hope you get some help with you queries and hope your Mum will get all treatment needed

Jennifer

[Tulip15 in reply to Rankij11]

We went to the Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital. We live in the north so it was a quite a journey down each time and when Mum had surgery I took time off work and stayed in a hotel but it was all worth it. I think everyone should always push for a second opinion if the thought has crossed your mind. I couldn’t live with the not knowing If I’d done everything I possibly could. Mum’s original consultant didn’t bat an eyelid when we asked (we were worried about what their reaction would be) We were seen within a week I think at the time. Good luck!

[Rankij11 in reply to Tulip15]

Thank you , very helpful . Bit scared of saying want 2nd opinion ! Your mum is lucky to have you , i expect she knows!!! Like me . Do you mind if I ask how it worked on a financial level ???? Just a rough idea if not too personal ???

[Tulip15 in reply to Rankij11]

It was all done on the NHS x

[Rankij11 in reply to Tulip15]

Thank you ,

I thought you might have to pay for the initial consultation so that sounds hopeful ! Now to get brave enough to do it . I will be keeping everything crossed for your mum’ s treatment

Xx

[Differentforgirls]

Hi there. Isn’t Prof C fabulous?

I had 2nd debulking with her in Jan 2020 ( my first was in Feb 2018 with a different surgeon).

I am almost finished with my 2nd line chemo.

I’m not sure if it’s all worked but Christina did imply that surgery would give me the best chance.

Saying that, we are all individual & who knows if prof would give the same advise to your mum.

Before my surgery, the anaesthetist told me christina was the best surgeon he’d ever worked with.

I feel so grateful to have had her expertise during my journey.

I hope you get a plan in place for your mum. Can you call Profs secretary to see if you can make an appt with her?

Best of luck.

Take good care

Lynne

[Tulip15 in reply to Differentforgirls]

Thank you. I will speak to Mum about it this weekend. She’s still in shock I think that it’s back x

[lesleysage]

Hi Tulip, I was one of Prof C's early patients in 2013 when I was told surgery on my recurrence carried "too high a mortality risk" by my regional hospital. My GP asked for the second opinion. If you live in England, it is your NHS right to request one with her. I've since moved to Scotland and my GP here isn't sure how that would work....but so far, living with crossed fingers, I'm still NED, all these years later.

No hesitation - please ask.

Warmest wishes to you both. And my daughter was, and still is, a stalwart too, so well done you!

[Tulip15 in reply to lesleysage]

Thank you for your kind message. Wishing you many more healthy years x

[SASSY196]

Maybe also consider the Royal Marsden for second opinion, my surgeon there Mr Barton is a genius and incredibly kind and caring. Really hope you get to fully consider all your options xxx