How many on here couldnt have surgery

[rosebine]

My cancer is inoperable and reading on here most people seem to have had the surgery. Just wondering how many people are living with their tumours and how you are doing ?

[Mommoo65]

Hi Rosebine. I have not been in that situation but chemo treatments may change the status of surgery by shrinking tumors but many times chemo alone will do it's job and attack your tumors effectively.

[Tesla_7US]

Roseb, I don't know where you live but definitely get a second opinion. I have HGSE OC 3C. There are clinics in parts of the world where I might be told "inoperable". That could mean the gynecological oncologist surgeon may not be aggressive. I had chemo; Carboplatin and Paclitaxel aka carbo/taxol, BEFORE surgery to reduce my tumor burden. I then had successful debulking surgery and was NED for two years before it recurred. I've had two recurrences in 5 years and am currently on Olaparib. Best of luck to you!

[Jenjill47]

Hi Rosebine, I'm from Australia

When I was diagnosed with Ovarian Peritoneal Ca about a year ago, I was told that it was inoperable.

I went through Chemo and Avastin 3 weekly over a period of almost a year. On my last day of the Avestin my markers had risen. so it was stopped.

My next scan showed that the main tumour had shrunk.

My oncologist sent my files and spoke to a well known surgeon here who was keen to operate due to the shrinkage of the tumour.

We went ahead with it and the surgeon debulked the tumour and found 4 out of 5 nodes on the main artery malignant. She removed those - it was a messy job she said, and it took 5 hours. Recovery has been slow (fatigue) but I'm glad that it was done. As the surgeon said, there are no guarantees, but probably some extra years to live and enjoy.

Please don't give up and accept the initial diagnosis of "inoperable"

I know our cancers are all unique, but there is hope and fine medical staff worth consulting.

Regards,

Jill

[Danteswish]

Hi Rosebine, my mum was told she has a rare form of Ovarian cancer stage 4 and was told inoperable. They told her they know this type does not respond to chemo but tried her on a hormonal tablet for 3 months but it didn’t work and had spread to her lungs, she is or was a very young 78 year old who said she has had a long life and did not want further opinions. I think if she was younger she may have gotten a second opinion so what have you got to lose? Good luck xx

[Rankij11]

Hi

I’m stage 1V OC. Had frontline chemo ,carb/taxol, responded well. Was told that because of liver mets ,there was no advantage to surgery I.e , they can’t fix liver so tidying up the rest inside is pointless. Quite kind about it though ! I have mulled over second opinion a lot over this but never got round to it . At the moment I’m chugging along on Olaparib, but when it fails, maybe then ? I think you should get second opinion

Best wishes

Jennifer

[Gemimablackvelvet]

Hi Rose 🌹 I had surgery 2018 September. I recurred 6/7 months after finishing 6 months of chemo. . More chemo reduced the 12cm 6cm and 3cm by 2/3rds so still have 3 tumours but smaller. I’ve begged for more surgery but I’m told they are in a place where it would be impossible to remove and wouldn’t extend my life expectancy. I’ve been on Rucaparib for nearly 6 months now which is keeping my cancer stable so yes we can have a life without surgery, even with tumours. I feel fine most of the time. No real side effects from Rucaparib although my CA 125 has risen slightly so the oncologist will keep an eye on it. There is nearly always a chance of more chemo. Never stop trying for further treatment. I haven’t.

Good wishes and love to you

Angela xx

[rosebine]

Thanks, I went through 6 cycles of chemo and was told no benefit from op, plus I had a "co morbidity" which is a very slight case of dilated cardiomyopathy which has never given me any problems. I have two very large tumours that only had a partial response to first lot of chemo, plus the others sprinkled throughout abdomen. Tumours grown a lot since first chemo ended. Just started 2nd dose of second line and been in hospital for a week and also had a blood transfusion. When they told me that the chemo doesnt usually start working until at least the third dose I was quite shocked and worried about how far the cancer will have spread again in that time. The mental anguish of all this has been dreadful over the past year and the thought of no chance of a "cure" had made me consider about stopping chemo altogether.

[Cbyrdie]

Originally in my First reoccurrence they said inoperable, too much going on everywhere. After 9 infusions at 3 week intervals I was deemed operable and now stable....

[annieH1]

Hi rosebine.Im advanced stage four.I was told inoperable,incurable.Ive had two surgeries since diagnosis so,it's never a certainty when it comes to surgery and sometimes surgery might make matters worse.xx

[rosebine]

Its the thought that these tumours will grow and grow and what is goi ng to happen, will they totally crush my internal organs ? I absolutely hate my huge swollen stomach. Ive always loved clothes and now living in trackie bottoms and loose tops. Mind you because I dont actually go anywhere now I suppose it doesnt matter.

[Leniko]

Diag w 2nd bout of OVCA in 2014. Inoperable tumor on psoas muscle of back. Have been on Avastin longterm. Keeps my CA125 stable. CT Scans show no growth. 🙏