WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OVARIAN CLEAR CELL STAGE 1C , TUMOR 1C RUPTURED DURING SURGERY AND THE ONE RUPTURED BEFORE SURGERY?

[TAROUZA]

MY DOCTOR CLASIFIED ME AS OVARIAN CLEAR CELL STAGE 1C AND TUMOR 1C , GRADE NOT DEFINED ( I DO NOT KNOW WHY AND WHAT IT MEANS ).ALL I KNEW THAT THE CYST 11X9X8.5 WAS RUPTURED DURING THE OPERATION.IS IT DANGEROUS TO RUPTURE A TUMOR ? DOES IT AFFECTS THE TREATMENT OR NOT ?COULD SOME ONE GIVE ME MORE FULL INFORMATIONS ABOUT THAT.?

[TinaWright]

Hello Tarouza,

A cancer that is at a stage 1c means that it is at its early stage. Most OC`s are not discovered until they reach a stage 3 or 4 and still can have a good recovary rate. Mine was a stage 2c which means it was getting nearer a stage 3 than a 2, if that makes sence.

So this my lovely lady is really good news for you.

I expect the tumour is at the same stage.

Sometimes early stage tumours like yours cannot be graded because its in such an early stage. A grade 3 which is what mine was is an aggresive type of cancer that is more likely to spread and more likely to come back however, my oncologist still told me I have a curable chance, so far everything good, so I am hopefully feeling positive.

If in doubt about anything at all, ask your oncologist nurse, you should be able to contact her between her working hours monday to friday.

All the best from tina x

[Sarah23 in reply to TinaWright]

Hi Tina Wright,

I had stage 3c but mine was unusual as I only had the one tumour on the omentem and 1 big tumour in the pelvis area starting from my left ovary only, mine too was aggresive clear cell not sure of the grade] I had chemo to help reduce the chance of the cancer returning, I was intrested as to why your oncologist said that you had a cureable chance, is that because you were a stage 2? or didnt you have a lot of tumours in the first place to remove and had not i.e liver spleen etc. spread? was your surgery completely succesfull which is the most important.

Sarah P.

[Pollywollydoodle]

Hi Tarouza,

I also had clear cell grade 3 tumour, in one ovary and endometrioid grade 2 in the other ovary (bit of a rarity to have two primaries). My oncologist and gynaecologist both said that clear cell is always classified and treated as grade 3 - the grade denotes how aggressive the tumour cells are and likelihood they will spread . Overall my stage was 1c as the massive cyst I had around the clear cell tumour burst during surgery. The stage tells you if it has spread outside the ovary - stage 1 has stayed in the ovary.

I was encouraged to have chemotherapy due to the cyst bursting and the fact one of the tumours was clear cell- even though it was stage 1.

Lots of depressing stuff on the internet about clear cell and I read it all!!! However, nearly three and a half years I am still here without recurrence yet and feel very lucky and glad I took the advice to have carboplatin and taxol chemo. I hope this helps and things go well for you. Take care,

Polly

[SaraL]

I, too, had treatment for clear cell cancer and I was told that the cyst was grade 3 - confusing because I had read that clear cell is not graded. But the surgeon said it was considered grade 3 due to the aggressive nature of clear cell OC. So perhaps it's the same answer only in reverse (if that makes sense...?)

It does seem that ruptures are quite common - but it makes no difference to the line of treatment (so I believe). And yes, I also worry about the rupture, wondering if this has ramifications for the future. I guess one way forward is to always be vigilant while reclaiming your life. This week is the first time I have felt my energy levels rise to near normal levels since the chemo ended (which was seven months ago). I wish you a complete recovery, and soon! x

[TinaWright]

Hi Sarah,

Sorry for any confussion here - I did not have clear cell OC, mine was high grade serous papillary/endometroid adenocarcinoma of the ovary.

My tumour on the ovary was the size of a melon and it had spread to the bowel. my cancer was operable tho, I had complete hysterectomy. appendix removed, part of the bowel, and the omentrum. Cells were found in the wash so therefore I had Follow up treatment of 6 sessions of chemotherapy Carboplatin and paclitaxel. And yes I was told I have a good chance of cure.

I am aware that the cancer can come back and is more liekly to spread as indeed it had done but I have also been told so far the surgary and treatment have been a success although not been given the all clear, I am seen every 12 weeks in the oncology clinic. and I have a CA 125 blood test every 12 weeks.

I am aware that all cancers are staged and graded. And 99% of all OC are grade 3`s.

However, I do not understand the difference between clear cell cancers to others. Hope this answers your question Sarah.