Advanced ovarian cancer in peritoneum

[sanmo]

My sister, 49, was diagosed with ovarian cancer almost a year ago (last October).  She had a total hysterecomy and follow up chemo treatments. All seemed well and she was getting back on track healthwise after the chemo.  In May she began building up fluid in her abdomen.  Every few weeks she would go to the hospital to drain the fluid.  Additional test were inconclusive.  In August she started having trouble keeping food down.  Last week she was admitted to the hospital and more tests finally found a mass in her peritoneum.  On Tuesday they did surgery to take out the mass and reconnect her large and small intestine.  The cancer was not a tumor but spread like Elmer's glue (doctor's term) in parts of her intestinal tract.  They could not operate.  She is still in the hospital and they are trying to decompress her stomach to see if it will start digesting food again.  they have her on IV nutrients.  Since the cancer obviously did not respond to the chemo treatments, is there any other course of treatment that we could ask the oncologist about, such as clinical trials or some other options.  I know the prognosis is grim and without any way to shrink the tumors there is not much hope.  She is young and strong and wants to give it all she has got to give.  I am very worried and do not know where to turn.  I read some information on the hipectreatment.org website.  Is this something for us to explore.  Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[blinn]

Hi Sanmo,
Wow - your sister is going through too much!  I wonder if she would be a good candidate for IP chemo?  I believe there are alot of references to it on this forum.  It is a much more aggressive chemo regimen than the normal 6 treatments 3 weeks apart.  IP (Intra-peritraneal-sp!) involves a port in the abdomen as well as the neck.  Day 1 - chemo meds in the abdomen: overnight stay in hospital & rotation to coat the area with the meds.  Day 8 - back for whole body chemo meds - neck port.  I believe they used two meds for the abdominal area & only one for the whole body.  

Someone with more knowledge can correct my hazy memory.  I believe this is a difficult regimen to go through but is pretty effective for fighting cancer.  

My understanding is that there are also many, many other drugs they can try before giving up!

Hang in there!  Keep up the good work!

[Helmar]

Hi Sandy...It's good to hear that there is some progress with your sister's case, and I hope she gets good results.I'd be interested to hear what chemo her Oncol. is thinking about giving her next. It seems that she has the right attitude to fight this, which is good. I'm sure she will feel better getting out of hospital too. :-) Wishing your sister all the best... and she's fortunate having your sisterly support.:-)   Hugs to you both...Helen...

[sanmo]

Thank you for your comments.  The Oncol is talking about another chemo treatment.  They have to shrink the blockage or she will not be able to eat.  But there is progress....they are talking about releasing her from the hospital on Tuesday.  We will see how it goes.  She is not giving up and is staying positive and strong.
Good luck to you in your battle.  Hugs to you.  Sandy

[Helmar]

Hello... I'm sorry to hear about the problems that your sister is facing, but there are lots and lots of different types of chemo, so if something doesn't work, then maybe the Oncol. could try her on another. I've been doing chemo practically non-stop for over 3 years, and have tried various ones as single agents, and some in combination with others. Some work, and some don't, but they are worth the try, so maybe she could suggest to her Oncol. that they try something else. There is also radiation, but you would need to talk with the Oncol. about that possibility. This is a nasty disease, and I hope your sister won't give up at all. I think being mentally strong in battling this, does help.
Please let us know how she goes, and hope something will be found to help her get back on track....hugs...Helen...