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Ovarian Cancer (Expert Forum)
Secondary cytoreduction surgery in ovarian cancer
Answered by
Annekathryn Goodman, M.D. - Gynecologic Cancers, Complex Gynecologic, Surgeries, Palliative Care, Acupuncture
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding ovarian cancer issues, such as: Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, Genetics, Hysterectomy,Immunotherapy, Ovarian Cancer Types, Radiation Therapy, Risk Factors, Screening, Staging, Surgery.
Secondary cytoreduction surgery in ovarian cancer
by Anch, Jan 10, 2007 12:00AM
Dr Goodman-
My mother, age 61, was diagnosed with Stage I Fallopian tube cancer in June 2003. After 3 1/2 years of chemotherapy including Carbplatin/Taxol for initial 3 cycles,then October 2004- no visable tumor but CA 125 value increasing she started topitican. She continued this until May 2005. With CA 125 nl and no visible tumor and multiple opinions we stopped treatment. In September 2005, she recurred with palable mass on gyn exam- we started treatment again- Carboplatin, Doxil, Gemcitibine and we just finished 3 months Topitican treatment with the mass growing about 1 cm. In the meantime we have been investigating other treatment options...all along we were told a second surgery was not an option. We went and saw a gyn radiation MD who thought radiation was appropriate but this was against what our medical oncologist opinion. Now after all this out medical oncologist has given us the option of surgery..he feels and is true that this is a very slow growing carcinoma and that usually this is not an option for patients with ovarian cancer but at this point he thinks decreasing tumor mass may increase chemotherapy effectiveness. Although we feel lucky that at this point we have a tumor that is limited to lower pelvis and could be possibly reduced...we are also know that this is an involved surgery with a significant recovery time. Since we were told that surgery was not an option and would not be an option she feels as if she is a guinea pig. We are looking for some data that would support this as a viable option for us. Is the risk of surgery worth the benefit?
My mother, age 61, was diagnosed with Stage I Fallopian tube cancer in June 2003. After 3 1/2 years of chemotherapy including Carbplatin/Taxol for initial 3 cycles,then October 2004- no visable tumor but CA 125 value increasing she started topitican. She continued this until May 2005. With CA 125 nl and no visible tumor and multiple opinions we stopped treatment. In September 2005, she recurred with palable mass on gyn exam- we started treatment again- Carboplatin, Doxil, Gemcitibine and we just finished 3 months Topitican treatment with the mass growing about 1 cm. In the meantime we have been investigating other treatment options...all along we were told a second surgery was not an option. We went and saw a gyn radiation MD who thought radiation was appropriate but this was against what our medical oncologist opinion. Now after all this out medical oncologist has given us the option of surgery..he feels and is true that this is a very slow growing carcinoma and that usually this is not an option for patients with ovarian cancer but at this point he thinks decreasing tumor mass may increase chemotherapy effectiveness. Although we feel lucky that at this point we have a tumor that is limited to lower pelvis and could be possibly reduced...we are also know that this is an involved surgery with a significant recovery time. Since we were told that surgery was not an option and would not be an option she feels as if she is a guinea pig. We are looking for some data that would support this as a viable option for us. Is the risk of surgery worth the benefit?
Doctor's Answer
by Annekathryn Goodman, M.D., Jan 10, 2007 12:00AM
, Jan 10, 2007 12:00AM
Dear Anch,
To better answer your question I would need the following information:
What is the histology of your mother's cancer/ Can you write in what her pathology report stated?
What is the exact reading of her most recent CT scan?
How is she doing? Is she having pain, trouble eating? Is she getting out of bed, going to work?
thank you.
best wishes
To better answer your question I would need the following information:
What is the histology of your mother's cancer/ Can you write in what her pathology report stated?
What is the exact reading of her most recent CT scan?
How is she doing? Is she having pain, trouble eating? Is she getting out of bed, going to work?
thank you.
best wishes
