Is there any pattern to re-occurrence?

[Catfeeder]

hi everyone,

I hope it’s not too silly a question, but wondering if there are common sites for a re-occurrence, and symptoms to look out for (besides CA125 rising). Do our different types (serous, endometriod, clear cell etc) follow different routes around our birdies?

Guess I am trying not to Google 😁

Thankyou for any responses x

[Dales-Rambler]

Hello Catfeeder.

It's hard after a diagnosis and treatment not to worry about a recurrence, isn't it? But with time, it does lessen.

I'm not sure about the different types and whether they have different patterns, but generally speaking, if there is a recurrence, it is likely to be other structures in the peritoneum (abdomen), the lungs or liver.

The Ovacome leaflet

ovacome.org.uk/treatments-f...

is a useful resource.

If your CA125 is a good marker for you, (was it elevated at diagnosis?) that's one of the useful trigger points - mine slowly rose over 12 months before I had any noticeable symptoms of abdominal tenderness, a even though a CT scan at 6 months showed some bowel thickening, I still didn't have any pain.

Just trust your body and mention any concerns / niggles / symptoms at your follow-up appointments.

All the best

Sally

[Catfeeder in reply to Dales-Rambler]

hi Sally

Thankyou for replying, I’ll look at the leaflet shortly. Yes my CA125 did raise into the low hundreds. I am in no pain but noticed recently some bloating and firmness in some areas in my abdomen and I have my oncologist catch up in a few days, hence got my mind whirring a bit!

Hope you are doing ok

Take care x

[AuntyOrange]

Hi Catfeeder. No, it's not a silly question but personally, I'd rather not know the answer to it. My feeling is that everyone is different. I've had two recurrences since diagnoses in eight years and although another one is always in the forefront of my mind, I'm still hoping that it may never happen. If I knew there was a pattern, I'd be looking for signs constantly. You are right to not google, just eat healthily, exercise and look after your mental health and try to find joy in every day. xxx

[Catfeeder in reply to AuntyOrange]

hi Aunty Orange

Thankyou for your reply and very sensible advice. I am quite good with my diet and there’s always room for more walking in my book and I now have a granddaughter that puts some of this into perspective for my mental health ♥️, feels like I’m not missing something (which is I guess where my question started from, ie I didn’t want a potential reoccurrence to creep up on me )

Take care x

[AuntyOrange in reply to Catfeeder]

I'm 72 soon, so if I assumed that every ache, pain or odd feeling I get (& there's plenty) was a recurrence , I would be in a permanent state of anxiety 🥴.Yes it is very hard to not worry but I keep myself busy & I also meditate which has helped tremendously.

I know I'm going to die one day & not necessarily from cancer but not today. 😉

Having your little granddaughter around is a wonderful distraction.

Love & hugs xx

[Lochawe]

hi catfeeder,

Its a good question not silly at all..

Just for data, as i dont know the answer to it, i had my 1st recurrence in lung, lymphs and (unusually i am told for OC, in the chest bone)

I assumed after the 1st diagnosis since they thought they got all the cancer out that i would be fine (maybe naive on one hand but on the other didnt worry about it till it did recur)

I hope all goes well for you 🤞

[Catfeeder in reply to Lochawe]

hi Lochawe

Thankyou for your reply and sharing your “pattern”

I think at times I’ve convinced myself it won’t come back, low stats etc, and it let me get on with life and push any thoughts away, then as I approach my next checkup I swing towards worrying I’m missing something in my ignorance

Take care x

[SopSinger]

I asked my oncologist how to be vigilant for recurrence without turning into a complete hypochondriac! She said that if a new symptom appeared and persisted for two weeks, get it checked out. Otherwise not to worry. Our bodies go through all sorts of aches, pains and niggles, most of which are harmless.

[Catfeeder in reply to SopSinger]

hi SopSinger

That sounds like great advice, Thankyou

Take care x

[Goodgirl98]

I had asked my oncologist after my debulking surgery what I should look out for. He said nothing; just come to the check ups on schedule! While it's sensible advice to enjoy life and not worry, it is difficult to do that every single day. Yes it does get worse around the appt time. I am sure our body will tell us if things go wrong, but it's a question of "if", not "when".

[Catfeeder in reply to Goodgirl98]

Thankyou Goodgirl98, the if not when is something I need to hold onto as appointments loom, great advice, take care x