Ovarian cancer metastases to spine, hips and ribs

[Tsioutsiou]

Hello ladies 🙂

My mother today was diagnosed with ovarian cancer that has metastases to her spine, hips and ribs.

I read on the web that five-year survival rate [edited by moderator] sounds so little. I read some of your stories and I see that many of you have already live much longer.

My mother soon will be 76. I love her so much, and she is so tough and powerful, she is not crying or anything, but i know deep inside she very sad. I don't want to cry in front of her because I make her more sad.

What is the most that someone can live with this? Forgive my English, am greek.

Thank you in advance 🙂

[Irisisme]

Hello Tsioutsiou,

My sympathies go out to you and your mother.

You ask a near impossible question I’m afraid. Each of us are different and survival depends on so many factors. Is your mother stage iv?

Firstly, try not to look up the prognosis online, most of that information is out of date. Secondly, it is unusual (in my experience of 8 years reading posts on this site) to have OC metastases in bone as in your mother’s case. That makes it difficult to know what might happen.

You have to check on what treatment your mother is being offered. Perhaps even consider a second opinion if you’re both not happy with what you’ve been told.

You need to discuss possibilities with your mother and maybe, if she agrees, with her oncology team.

You will certainly read many posts here from people who are long term survivors. I have survived with stage iiic for 8 years, my metastases are in my liver now and I am having weekly Paclitaxel with my CA125 going down weekly - which is a good result.

Perhaps you need to address your question on survival to whatever cancer support you have in Greece, or to Ovacome admin?

All I can do is send hugs to you and your mother , and wish you both good luck,

🤗🤗🤗🤗

Iris

[Lizzieanne in reply to Irisisme]

I had my first recurrence after almost 20 years free of any treatment. This time apparently my spread is very unusual it was discovered with a pleural effusion in 2020 I had bone mets and it is in my lymph nodes and have it in peritoneal nodules. Had carboplatin and taxol which cleared by bone mets, then had further carbo to try and shrink nodes which it did, then watch and wait for two years. The cancer has always been active but v slow growth. However I am now back on treatment which has knocked me for six but hope it will slow the growth again. I am 79. Yes I am very sad as I feel very young inside but I have been very lucky. So basically I just wanted to say I hope your mum's bone mets respond to chemo like mine did. I feel for you both xxx

[Leniko in reply to Lizzieanne]

Try to go to the best cancer hospital that you can get to. The chemo, immunotherapy, and radiation are being improved constantly. I am a 16 year survivor. I’ve had some recurrences, but treatment keeps knocking it back. Good Luck to your dear Mom, I’m sure you’ll be a big support!

[SopSinger]

In the UK, patients are recommended to seek treatment at a major cancer centre - is there anything like this in Greece? Bone metastases are rare, but there are many ladies around with a late stage diagnosis who have survived for many years. Don't take any notice of statistics, they look backwards and are not helpful. Your mum's best bet is to get to a centre of excellence and get treatment there, and I'm sure she'll be grateful for your support.

[Lizchips]

Hi, I know it's scary but women are all different, I never thought I was going to die from this cancer. I was diagnosed with stage 3c2 clear cell ovarian cancer in April 2014. I'm coming up cancer free 10 yrs with no reoccurring disease. There's always hope. Prayers for you mom