Chemotherapy for stage 1C ovarian cancer?

[Love my wife]

My wife just went through a major hysterectomy and cancer was found in the right ovary and a very small amount in the fallopian tube near the left ovary.  Nothing found in the omenta or any of the lymph nodes.  The doctor calls this a stage 1C.  

This is my wife's second bout with cancer.  She had breast cancer two years ago and had a lumpectomy.  This was also in the early stages so she only had to go through radiation therapy but could have done chemo although opted not to.

So, my questions are:

- would chemo for her earlier cancer prevented the ovarian cancer?
- where can if find statistics on chemo for her ovarian cancer and the expected improvement by going through this?

We were able to clearly see what her earlier decision would mean in terms of the likelihood of recurrence with and without chemo.  I am having difficulty finding similar info on this for her current situation.  I just want to be able to help her make an informed decision.

Any help would be appreciated.

[bocaj]

Our neice who is 55 had a total hysterectomy.  No cancer in the lymph nodes and the 14 x 13 cms tumor had cells - stage 1 c. The tumor was attached to the left ovary and to the colon.  They removed all and the cancer was on the outside of the tumor and no re-sectioning had to be done.  Fluid had broken prior to the surgery and during the surgery which I guess will spread cancer cells?????  They did not install the port.  She has elected to do chemo. Will it kill those that may have spread from the fluid sacks/cysts breaking?   What can she expect and what can we do to help her through this.  Generally, how many treatments will she undergo?

[Love my wife]

Thanks to all for the comments and inputs.  My wife came home today and will be recovering from surgery for about 6 weeks.  Not sure yet when she will be told to start the chemo but we'll know something in a week or so.  I really appreciate the support.

[MickeyVicki]

Nothing that I have read or heard would lead me to believe that having chosen the chemotherapy for the BC would have prevented the OVCA.  You did not state what type of BC your wife had, but it is more likely that the cancers are related only in a superficial way...perhaps she has an immune system glitch, or perhaps a "hormonal tendency", or even a genetic tendency to the disease.  

Also, from your description, it appears that your wife's ovca is one of those "technical stage" cancers, where the spread of the disease  is probably closer to a Stage I than a Stage II, but criteria dictates the stage assignment.  Anyway, these days there are women in Stages I and II who routinely survive the disease, and do so because of improvements in the chemotherapy process.  There are new drugs and combinations of drugs to treat ovca.   The supporting drugs, like Neulasta and others, allow the patients to have more regular regimens and tolerate higher doses of the chemo agents.

[CindiSue]

Another very good site, if you don't already know of it, is Hystersisters. It has tons of info an all kinds of treatments and lots of help.

When and if she wants, have your wife stop in here. The gals are so great! They can lift you up out of even the lowest of moods and cry with you if needed.

Take care and very good luck to you both. Your wife is lucky to have you watching out and fighting for her.   Cindi

[brthbbs]

What's frustrating about ovarian cancer is how little information is available about recurrances, length of time before recurrances, long term effectiveness of chemo and in general anything that could help you hang your hat on a positive thread.  I've also been doing the routine treatment, carbo, taxol X6 for stage 2 but feel wary of pumping the poison through my veins.  I actually only have been doing it because my children asked me to do so, if I were alone without family I might have passed on the poison and taken my chances. Essentially I'm aware that I made a choice and will see it through without recriminations of what if. . .but it all makes me feel totally out of control.

[milashka]

If your wife's doctor says chemo, I'd do the chemo. Don't mess with ovarian cancer. You are blessed that it's early stage, with very high cure rates.

Like Dian07 Neulasta shots give me some rib pain...didn't know at first if it was the lung, heart or what...but overall chemo is going very well for me. I had a treatment two days ago and feel a little icky but I have felt a lot worse before without chemo! And I am a whimp when it comes to nausea and pains. Out of the three weeks I feel realy good for at least 10 days. Go for it! It's over in no time.

At least she should give it a try. She can always stop if she feels she can't handle it. That's how I went in (was totally against chemo, even with my stage 3C, stupid me!).

[dian07]

Hello;
So sorry your wife, and you are in this situation.
First of all, dont' play the "what if" game.....it serves only to torment. Please don't go there.
Last April I was diagnosed with stage IC mucinous cancer, and had a TAH. I was thrilled to have it caught so early, so were my doctors.  
Five weeks later I had a port placed in my left chest allowing a catheter to be run to a vein emptying into my heart...that way the chemo and blood work would not involve venous punctures over and over again...though I didn't like it at first..it's one of my best friends now! My onc says it will remain for three years just in case. Okay by me!
Right after I got the port, my chemo began. I did carboplatin and taxol every 21 days X 6.....Chemo ended last October 13. We all react differently to chemo....it made me nauseaus and very tired...the Neulasta (sp?) was really hard on me....every bone in my body plain old hurt....my ribs hurt so bad I wondered if I was having a heart attack...chemo isn't fun....it is necessary.... even at stage IC.
You guys just have to suck it up and get ready to fight this battle...everyone here will walk the walk with you if asked. The women here have been where you and your wife are....take advantage of their knowledge, experiences, hope and compassion.
You are not alone, even when it feels as if you are.
Please keep us posted.
Peace.
dian