Survival with only chemo, no surgery

[bettycor]

I was diagnosed with HGS stage 4a in January, 2024. The cancer was discovered when I was having laporascopic surgery to remove a kidney tumor. The doctors saw peritoneal carcinomatosis which had metastasized from the ovaries. Due to the extensive nature of my cancer, the doctor recommended 4-6 chemo treatments before surgery. At the end of February my CA125 was 17,000.

i have had one chemo with carbo only, 6 with carbo & taxol, 3 with carbo & taxol & Avastin. By September my CA-125 was 838.

Last week I had a diagnostic laporascopy to determine whether the time was right to do the debulking surgery. I won’t go into all the reasons, but my oncologist, Dr. Bevis, determined that the best course of action is to do more chemo and not do the debulking surgery now. Perhaps I’ll have it on the future, perhaps not. Tomorrow I start chemo with carbo & gem. Avastin will be added in my next treatment in 3 weeks.

I live in the US in Alabama. In September I went to MD Anderson in Houston, one of the leading cancer centers in the world, for a second opinion. That doctor said I might be someone who only has chemo & never surgery.

The good news is that I have tolerated chemo very well. I’ve been able to do my 30-minute walk almost every day and have had only one day that I spent all day in bed. I’m 78 years old and in good health other than the OC and sinus allergies. I have a CaringBridge site, and this has helped keep my spirits up.

So my question is this. Is there anyone in this group who has survived 2 or more years after diagnosis with no surgery? Thanks much.

[Cinemalover]

Hi, I'm glad you hear you are doing so well and fitting in your walks .I was diagnosed with HGSOC stage 4 in Dec 21 and like you wasn't eligible for surgery..I have done well on carbo/docetaxel and niraparib parp inhibitors..I had a reoccurrence in April 24 and hve just had 6 rounds of carbo/docetaxel and avastin. Thankfully have again had a good response and they plan to keep me on avastin for 15 months and I'm also waiting to start Olaparib parp inhibitors..I also am keeping up my walking and living a normal life, so keep strong, keep walking and you'll get there xx

[bettycor in reply to Cinemalover]

Thanks so much for your reply. Your situation is much like mine. It gives me hope that you’re doing so well after almost 3 years. Wishing you continued success in your treatment.

[Pianoplayer731021]

Hi Bettycor, I too am 78 years old and was diagnosed in Oct. 2019 stage 4 after my debulking surgery. I had chemos before and after and then was put on Niraparib for three years. My cancer spread into my omentum, my intestines and the wall of my abdomen. As of now, I am still NED. I don’t know how a dr. can just do chemo without surgery. I know surgery can be tough on a person in their later years. You sound like a healthy and fit person. I live in Michigan and had an excellent Dr. for my surgery. I hope that you continue to do alright with your treatments. Hang in there, Donna 🥰 ( could it be that your cancer spread further and they didn’t want to do surgery) I guess I have heard of that

[bettycor in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

The doctor did a diagnostic laporascopy and looked into my abdomen. She said there were growths under my diaphragm that had grown together. She wasn’t sure that she could get all that. Plus the incision would have bee from my breast bone to my pubic bone, very long with a difficult recovery. She said I had had a tremendous response to chemo so she thought that continuing chemo was better for me than surgery at this time. I trust her judgment. Perhaps I’ll have surgery in the future, but I think that’s unlikely. Thanks for your comment.

[Pianoplayer731021]

Thanks for messaging me back. That does sound like that could be difficult with growths that have grown together under your diaphragm. My incision was a long one with my surgery. Pubic bone to my breastbone. I recovered alright, so that was good. Anyway, everyone has different situations with their cancer spreading. Hopefully, you will do alright with your chemos and keep that cancer at bay. Sending well wishes to you, Donna 👍🙏😊