Help with a question involving a Malignant Mixed Mesodermal Tumor

[angie1022]

Hope I can get some input. Has anyone out there with ovarian cancer had a diagnosis of Malignant Mixed Mesodermal Tumor.  This is resistant to chemo.  What do you think I should do in the following situation.  This is my third occurence of cancer in a little over 2 years.


I was diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer in 11/06, which had spread to my colon and diaphram.  That month, I had a total hysterectomy and debulking.  In Jan. of 07 I started IP chemo with cisplatin and taxol, as well as IV chemo with taxol.  I tolerated the drugs very well and got through all six stages and finished up in April 06.  My tumor was diagnosed as MMMT.  I had another surgery in May of 06 for a malignant tumor on my right iliac lymph node.  In July 07, a  PET scan showed a suspicious area in my right abdominal wall, but my doctor wanted to take a "wait & see" attitude.  In 9/07, I had another PET scan which showed no growth.  However, in 2/08, I was in tremendous pain and another scan was done.  The tumor had grown so large, it was inoperable, so I had 18 radiation treatments to shrink it enough to do surgery.  The surgery to remove the tumor from my abdominal wall was done in June, 2008.  After surgery, my CA125 was 9.  Follow-up chemo was not recommended because the pathology on the tumor determined it was chemo resistant.  I had a CT Scan in 9/08, which was fine.  A CT Scan on 12/08 shows two cancerous lesions on my liver dome and another one on my abdominal wall.  My doctor wants to "wait and see" again, or perhaps try Doxil.  My CA125 rose from 14 to 24 in 8 weeks.  I know that is well within the range, but it is consistently rising.  I am very concerned, especially since cancer is now showing up on my liver.

Thanks, so much, for your advice.

[Teresa222]

I'm glad you're leaning toward going ahead with the Doxil. Your doctor's last "wait and see" was so obviously wrong.  You should follow your gut instincts and get started IMO. You will feel better about being in a Phase 1 trial after finishing the Doxil. At least, I would anyway.  If you have the Doxil, make sure you use the ice packs during chemo. As my Grandfather used to say, "It might not help you, but it sure won't hurt you."
Teresa

[angie1022]

Thanks for your message.  I don't know why my doctor wanted to "wait & see".  He said he wanted to wait two months, do another CT Scan to see if the tumors change.  I went down that road with my last recurrence and was the wrong thing to do.  I want to do something now to get things under control.  I got a second opinion from a gyn/oncologist at Johns Hopkins who recommended a clinical trial being done by Hopkins since this cancer (Ovarian MMMT) is so rare it might not be responsive to chemo.  She said it would be okay to do three cycles of Doxil first, though, since that is the chemo drug I am least resistant to.  I'm still researching this, but am leaning toward doing the Doxil first to get whatever benefit I can from that, especiallly since the clinical trial is a Phase 1 trial.  

[Teresa222]

I must have missed your post the first time around.... I don't understand why the doctor wants to wait again before he starts you on Doxil. Do you know? If I understand the information you've given so far, I would want to begin treatment for the tumors you know are there. I may have misunderstood your post, so don't take my word for it. Perhaps some of the others can add to this.

[dian07]

Angie, while I have no advice to offer, I do want to tell you how much I admire you.  You are courage personified.  In this society of ours, so often people look to soldiers fighting man made wars for heroes.....in reality, there are so many more heroines fighting this un-provoked damn war right here at home.....and around the world, as well.  You guys are my heroines.
Peace.
dian