Granulosa.....Dr Goodman

Dr. Goodman...

I had a biopsy of an ovarian cyst which ruptured during that procedure.  When the path came back it was GCT.  3 weeks later I had a full cancer staging surgery with removal of omentum, ovaries, uterus, cervix....several biopsies, pelvic washes.  All came back clear except the ovary itself, stage 1C.   My pathology was sent to another lab for further evaluation.  The mitotic rate was low, and my hem/onc recommended no chemo at this time.

My question for you is this :-).  In your own personal experience with Granulosa.....have you kept any records...like how many patients recur....how long until recurrence...do you treat recurrences with surgery alone or with chemo as well?  What is the longest remmision you have personally seen?  

My gyn/onc says he has had most who do not recur....  I have actually met one lady in my hometown who is 6 years post surgery stage 2C, with no chemo, and to date has not recurred yet.  I know there can be late recurrences as far out as 10-20 years not being uncommon.   I have seen many on-line who have recurred....

I have a 4 year old...I hope to raise up...if the Lord allows.   Thank you for taking the time to answer this, for me, the more information, the better.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

HI There,

I agree with your doctor. Close check ups with exams, the blood tests: estradiol and inhibin levels,  and an occasional ct scan is all I would do as well.

I would say that most (greater than 95%)  of the women I have taken care of with granulosa cell tumors never recur (or at least have not recurred yet -5- 10 -20 years later)

There is a subset of women who do have recurrences.

Currently I am taking care of three women who have recurrent granulosa cell tumor.

One has had her tumor for more than 30 years. She has had multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation over many, many years. Currently she also has breast cancer as well. I suspect that her breast cancer will make her sick before her recurrent granulosa cell tumor does.

my second patient has had granulosa cell tumor for over 10 years.I am watching a small spot on her bowel and on her liver without treatment.

my third patient has had recurrences on the liver that were treated with radiofrequency ablation and on the bladder which I surgically removed. She is currently on tamoxifen and is doing well.

I personally have not yet experienced taking care of someone who has died from their cancer.

I know it is scary to contemplate a recurrence.You are in good hands
best wishes

[Ichoosejoy]

Dr. Goodman...

I can't express fully how much you are appreciated here.  Thank you for your ministry to those of us in the cyber-world.  Thank you...again.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

thank you so much
it is a very moving experience for me