Treatment types and survival

[anjr1]

What is the post treatment survival stats (recurrence free or otherwise) for

1) surgery first and chemo later vs

2) chemo first followed by surgery followed by more chemo ("sandwich therapy").

Thank you.

[27-359]

I don't think there are any. Usually it's surgery first then chemo to clear up any stray cells that might be still around, but sometimes the tumour is too large or difficulty placed to remove initially, so chemo is given to shrink it pre op.

Jenny

[Notage]

Research suggests that in general there is little difference between surgery before or after chemo for advanced disease with the exception that chemo before may reduce some surgical risk. I can't paste the link and obviously cancer type dependent but if you google: Cochrane: Does giving chemotherapy before surgery improve survival or quality of life for women with advanced ovarian epithelial cancer? (30 July 2021)

[Tillymint61]

I didn't get a choice which way round it was done. I had faith that my oncologist would choose what they thought was best based on their expertise. Which turned out to be 4 chemo before operation and 2 post op.

[Yorkiepudd]

Like the other ladies, I didn’t get a choice and don’t think there’s any difference. As Jenny says, often the sandwich method is used if they want to reduce tumours and/or the person is unwell as reducing the tumour can help with symptoms. I had surgery then treatment xx

[Tillymint61 in reply to Yorkiepudd]

This was definitely the case for me. The disease and pre diagnosis traumas had taken a toll on me and so chemo reduced my symptoms and set me up better for op. 5 months afher 1st chemo.

[Cropcrop]

Depends on the degree of any disease spread, sometimes chemo is given then surgery followed by the remaining chemo alternatively some ladies have surgery first followed by chemo. Some ladies don’t need surgery just chemo and some just have surgery no chemo. It’s all depending on the individuals needs. As for statistics, they’re not really something to use as a guide for the decision as no two cases are the same, we all react to treatments differently and treatment plans are geared to each individual and what they need because no two of us are the same. Good luck with this ❤️Xx Jane

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hi Anjr1,

Thank you for your post. I can see our members have been responding with their helpful advice.

I wanted to clarify that a person's medical team will look for the best treatment plan based the individual's situation. Some people will have surgery followed by chemotherapy and for others it will be chemotherapy first then surgery (interval surgery) followed by more chemotherapy. Treatment decisions will be discussed and agreed between the individual and their team. It may be useful to discuss any concerns with the oncologist for reassurance and advice.

I also wanted to explain that we ask that forum discussions do not mention specific statistics on survival rates, This is so that members who do not wish to have this information do not find it within the forum.

We are here to support you so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you would like to talk through anything. You can reply directly through this forum or call our support line on ([phone]. We’re here Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm (U.K time), to provide information, discuss questions or just to have a friendly chat.

Best wishes,

Sorcha, Ovacome Support

[koffeekat99]

Hi. As others have said this decision is usually based on individual circumstances.However when I was told I would have surgery first I asked if I could go chemo/surgery/chemo. Oncologist said she had no problem with that.

It did mean though that I had a biopsy first to determine if and what chemo would be appropriate. The biopsy was inconclusive so I then had the option of a second biopsy or straight to surgery. I then went straight to surgery. It meant my surgery was about 4 weeks later than it could have been.

On the whole it didn’t change the outcome for me. However there are some cases where a biopsy is not considered to be best for clinical reasons.

Certainly ask your oncology team about your options and see what they say and why they would recommend one option over another.