Treatment options for ovarian cancer

[janers]

Hello! I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 3 five months ago I have had four rounds of chemotherapy and just had a laparoscopy. The doctor says the cancer is now not detectable however she still recommends a complete hysterectomy, HIPEX hot chemo wash of the abdomen and pelvis, and removing of the fatty tissue in the area, and then two more rounds of chemo. Does this sound like too much? Is it possible I could stop treatment now and just go for regular check ups to see that it doesn’t return? I just went through menopause at the same time (The month I was diagnosed was also the last month I got my period ) and I’m wondering could that have triggered cancer? Doctor said my tumor had estrogen receptors , so perhaps hormonal changes could have triggered something? Also I had a positive Genomic instability score , and a positive Myriad HRD status, so my understanding is that a pharmaceutical called Zejula be part of maintenance therapy to prevent regrowth.

I have substantially large fibroids in my uterus. Is there relationship between fibroids and cancer? I have so many questions and I’m very grateful for any feedback. Thank you for your time.

[Powerwalk2021]

Hi Janers, I had fibroids for 14 years without too many issues, however, 2 years ago I started to notice substantial changes, they had grown much bigger and the bleeding became much more unmanageable, together with drastic weight loss. My doctor put me on the 2 week wait which meant within days I was seen by a specialist and a biopsy was done. Luckily for me, one of the many fibroids blocked the entrance to the area they wanted to do the biopsy so they had to remove some of it which they also sent for testing. I was told it's rare for fibroids to become cancerous, 1% chance, but they would test anyway. The specialist were very surprised to find the biopsy results gave a positive reading and I was rushed to have an MRI and CT scans. The doctors said I had endometrial cancer stage 2, looked like it hasn't spread but recommended me to have a full hysterectomy, just to be on the safe side. After the operation, I went straight into a surgical menopause, symptoms were extremely difficult to live with but I felt lucky to be alive and all the cancer had been removed successfully, no further treatment required. For me, a full hysterectomy was the best option to give the best chance that the cancer would not return anywhere around that region. It's been a year and a half since the operation and I don't regret it for a moment, the menopausal symptoms have reduced, regular exercise helps me to sleep, hot flushes have become less severe now that I increased intake of phytoestrogen, dietary estrogen, rich foods like flaxseed, soybean products such as tofu and dried fruits, love dried apricots. That's my experience and hope it answers your question about fibroids. Be mindful it's very rare for it to become cancerous but cannot be ruled out without further tests/scans. Always good to check all the possibilities. Good luck and take care.