Watch and wait vs treatment

[Lind58]

My mom went to see her oncologist and they offered her surgery, doxil/carbo and avastin. They said since she responded well the first time - they think she will respond well again. The reoccurrence is two small nodules one on her stomach lining and one in her pelvis both less then 1”. She’s meeting with her surgeon next week. She is at Msk and their approach is get ahead of the problem before it gets worse. She’s curious if anyone ever went on watch and wait with a small reoccurance

[Lyndy]

I went on W and W for my recurrence but it was so small they weren’t sure it was a recurrence! I have heard that having second surgery can give really good results…so if they are offering it would be worth meeting the surgeon xx

[Lind58 in reply to Lyndy]

Hi Lyndy, thank you - Was your CA125 increasing at the time?

[Jacky5]

I haven't been in that situation but like Lyndy I have heard that second surgery, when all visible disease can be removed can give better results than just chemo alone. I guess that would be easier to do if the drs act sooner rather than later?All the very best to you both.

L x

[fair-rosamund]

I'm on W&W for increase in CA125 and some evidence of recurrence on CT scan. Surgery not an option due to problems from previous surgery so will be more chemo. Mentally W&W is draining, but I'm doing ok and hanging on in the as a couple of dates in the next month I really don't want to miss.

[Katmal-UK]

Hi I have never been on W & W, preferring to take treatment straight away (within a few days of recurrence). It's a very personal choice. Mentally I knew I would not be able to deal with W & W, preferring to hit the problem head on and knowing for my peace of mind that I had done everything I could. I hope your mum makes the decision that is right for her. Big hug. Kathy xx

[SUE7777]

Hi Linda, I went on watch and wait, I have never been NED so the disease has always been active. Anyway I had an appt. for next week but couldn't wait as my stomach was full of ascites so I was Hospitalised last week and will be starting carbo/caelyx next week. All the best Sue xx

[delia2 in reply to SUE7777]

Dear Sue, I didn’t realize you were hospitalized. I hope you’re doing okay until the chemo can get rid of the assures! Sending hugs.

[SUE7777 in reply to delia2]

Hi Linda, I'm back home now, they drained 7 litres of ascites, hoping to start treatment next week. Thanks Sue xx

[Leniko]

I had recurrence of my OVCA six years after my initial diagnosis. It appeared on the psoas muscle in my lower back. Drs said it was too risky to do surgery so they gave me radiation and some chemo, and I am now on maintenance Avastin. My first DX was 2008, 2nd was 2014. My CA Gets checked every six weeks when I go for Avastin. My CA 125 has stayed low..I hope this helps

[Iwillbeatit]

I had 18 Avastin treatments in 2019/20 after my first lot of chemo2018/19 and it kept the cancer at bay for the year i was on it and for a further six months on no treatment after that finished. Since I had another lot of chemo Jan to June this year and am now hopefully about to start on niraparib. Whilst on avastin apart from stiff joints I was very well. I hope this helps. Good luck

[koffeekat99]

Hi Lind58. I went on watch and wait after diagnosis. I have one of the rare types of OC where treatment options are more limited.I haven’t often heard of people choosing w&w when treatments have been offered, particularly if surgery is offered. That’s not to say that it’s not an option, it doesn’t happen or that your mum shouldn’t do it. She needs to make the decision.

If she’s considering it, then its worth asking the doctors about how she would be monitored, what they think the impact of waiting would be, and whether the treatment options might change.

W&w is physically less demanding than cancer treatments. But it can be difficult mentally and emotionally.

Ultimately we all make the choices based on the info we have at the time and how we feel at the time. Whatever your mum decides it will be the right decision for her.