Stage 4a cancer returned. An update and a question

[Duskygem]

Hi ladies,

About 10 days ago I posted that a recent PET scan showed that cancer has recurred in 3 areas of my peritoneum and I was worried in case I wouldn’t be offered treatment as the recurrence was so son after chemo and avastin. I had many replies that were comforting and reassuring. Thank you for that.

I had an appointment with the oncologist last week and she has suggested that we hold back on chemo for a little while and try oestrogen blockers in the hope that it will restrict growth/ spread of the cancer. Her reasons for this course of action is that biopsies taken from debulking surgery showed that my cancer was promoted by oestrogen. Although I have had a complete hysterectomy, apparently the body still produces oestrogen. The oncologist will review me in 6 weeks with blood test to measure ca125 and a ct scan 6 weeks afterwards. I trust the oncologist and feel happy to follow her advice but just want to check what thoughts you ladies have . Have you had a similar experience?

Best wishes

Dusky

[Lyndy]

I am glad to hear that you have a plan! I haven’t had the oestrogen blocker treatment but if your cancer is sensitive to it then it seems like a no brainer to me. They try to choose the optimum moment to give chemo... so if this can delay that point for a bit (maybe until C19 is a bit more under control) then it sounds like a good idea... I am sure you’ll get replies from those who have been on it. xx

[Duskygem in reply to Lyndy]

Hi LyndaThank you for your reply. The c19 situation was a factor taken into consideration by the oncologist. I wasn’t aware that there is an optimum time for chemo so the oestrogen blockers will (hopefully) help me reach that point. Thank you again

Dusky

[delia2]

Hi. My oncologist has told me that the evidence says it makes no difference to the outcome if you start chemo early or a bit later . I think chemo is more effective if there’s some time elapsed between lines. From what I’ve seen on this site different people have different feelings about postponing treatment. However if the hormone blocker works for you it would be great. Keep us posted! Xx

[Duskygem in reply to delia2]

Hi DeliaFingers crossed the hormone blockers will work for me. I feel reassured by the replies from yourself and other lovely ladies that delaying chemo can have advantages. I trust my oncologist to loosely monitor me over the coming months. I will keep you posted and thanks again

Dusky

[Amandabrown]

Hi Dusky,I haven’t had hormone blockers yet although mine is also oestrogen receptive so I intend to. I am having my first recurrence and doing chemo

I have low grade OC and a lot of ladies in my group have letrozole - it can have side effects but I’ve heard of some long remissions on this or kept things stable for years xx

[Duskygem in reply to Amandabrown]

Hi AmandaThank for your response. I am to have letrozole too. Sorry to hear about your recurrence and I hope chemo is kind to you. Take care and thanks again

Dusky

[Amandabrown in reply to Duskygem]

Thanks - had terrible nausea on the first infusion but have been given the holy grail of anti sickness this time . Really hope it works ! I will be going on letrozole after this, good luck and I too hope letrozole is kind to you

[Duskygem in reply to Amandabrown]

Thanks Amanda long may we be well and strong x

[Amandabrown in reply to Duskygem]

Yes sending positive thoughts and best wishes to you .

[Nadie2018]

Hi Duskygem. Yes, I was placed on Tamoxifen and then Anastrozole after my quick recurrence after 1st line chemo and debulking. I am 80% ER/PR (estrogen and progesterone receptive). My Dr’s told me some patients can be successfully on this for a year or 2. In my case, it didn’t seem to have much effect on my Ca-125 as it continued to rise slowly. What it did do for me was keep me off chemo for a year. I had a great response to Carbo/ Gemzar as my 2 nd line of chemo. They were very pleasantly surprised how responsive I was bc I’m Platinum resistant. They attributed the response to the fact that I had a year off chemo. That’s my story. I hope you find it helpful. What I liked best about being on the Estrogen blockers was how portable it was and I had no side effects. Best wishes,Nadie

[Duskygem in reply to Nadie2018]

Hi NadieThank you for your reply. I hope I manage to avoid chemo for as long as possible. The oncologist will monitor me with blood tests at six weekly intervals and ct scan at 3 monthly intervals. I had avastin for 12 months, that finished in September this year. Throughout avastin my ca125 steadily increased from 4 to 84. The ct scans did not show anything. I had a blood test in October and ca125 had dropped to 34, I don’t know why it jumped about like that. Unfortunately it up to 68 now but I feel well and optimistic.

Thank you for sharing your story Nadie it has helped me to get a healthier perspective on thing.

Dusky

[Haeh]

I will have been on Letrozole two years next month. The first 4 to 6 weeks there were side effects, mild headaches, hot flushes, etc, but either they disappeared or I got used to them!🙂 I was advised to take the tablet at night to sleep off any side effects. My CA125 has come down to 15. Well worth pushing chemo to the future. I have had a bone scan as Letrozole can cause osteoporosis. Will get the result next month. 🤞 Best wishes to you.

[Duskygem in reply to Haeh]

Thanks Haeh that’s good to hear. I hope it is as successful for me as it has been for you. Best wishes

[HJF123]

I have low grade serous stage 3c, which is oestrogen fed. After debulking surgery, I have been given Letrazole which is a hormone blocker (fat cells continue to produce oestrogen). It is important you discuss talking vitamin D and calcium supplements on this drug, as it can effect your bone density.

Best wishes Heidi