MMMT 2nd round

My wife was diagnosed with stage 3c Ovarian cancer on 11/05.  She had the debulking surgery and then 6 rounds of Carboplatin and Taxol.  There was no sign of cancer from 4/06 until 9/07 when another Tunor was spotted on a CT scan.  On 10/8 she went through another debaulking and two tumors were found with the biggest being 14cm x 14cm. She waited 3 weeks until she was to start Chemo again. We received a call that said her cancer was MMMT and also called carsinomasarcoma. The cells were tested and did not respond to Taxol so we were advised to use Cisplatin/ Ifosfimid.  Another turn of events happened and we did a CT scan and we were told that the tumor had grown back to as big or bigger than when she had the surgery 20 days prior. She immediately was placed in the hospital and given her Chemo over 3 days.  She was VERY sick for 7 days.  We have not lost hope of a miracle but is there an easier way then to suffer through the 7 straight days of misery again?  Is this the right Chemo to use?

[vegas2cr]

My gosh your wife and you have now been through so much.. Right chemo is differerent for every woman.  What might work for one will not work for another..Sometimes it is hit and miss.  Wishing you and your wife much luck in this evil battle that we go through daily.. Ronni

[Casey06]

MMMT is a very rare form of ovarian/uterine cancer, so there is not as much data about it and it appears not so many on this forum have experience with it.

See recent post on undifferentiated vs. mixed mullerian in the doctors forum, for info from Dr. Goodman.

According to NCCN recomendations, MMMT is treated same as uterine cancer (although it is hard to follow the treatment recommendations, so you need to consult with her doctor), but radiation therapy seems to be one treatment method.

Based on some recent reading here is some info and links for you:
http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/ovarian.pdf
http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/uterine.pdf

One article stated:
"patient with stage IV ovarian MMMT who achieved a surgically-documented complete response (CR) after 6 cycles of carboplatin, mesna, ifosfamide, cis-platin"

I am very sorry about the pain and discomfort your wife is experiencing.
I hope her doctors can adjust her therapy and make her comfortable.
god bless

[stephers1]

Hi, I too have ovarian MMMT. i am 28 years old and have been battling this since March 06. I had 9 taxol/carbo. Then I had a 2nd look surgery where one more tumor was found. That was removed and I was placed on caelyx (doxil) however I was allgeric to it. Then I went on ifosfimide/cisplatin with no success and a lot of tumor growth. Pretty much everything returned. Lungs, hip, liver nodes through out. I have now been on toptecan and will get my CT scan results today sometime to see if it is worth continuing. the Dr has suggested cisplatin/ gemcitabine as a next option. Personally I think the only cure for my right now is one of Divine intervention. I would not spend too much time on ifos/ cis if it is not working because it is so hard to handle with the hospital stay and all. I take Griffon Maitake Mushrooms everyday as i have heard in various places it inhibits tumor growth. we will see.
We all hear about miracles all the time why can't it happen to us? Well it can!!! Have faith and take courage, that is was my priest says to me. By the way the topoteecan has been the easiest chemo I have ever been on yet. It is just a pain to go to the hospital as often as i have to. Also i did end up in the hospital due to low hemoglobin and white blood cells. But my bone marrow is not what it used to be due to all the treatments i have received. I do not think there is a right chemo for this disease because everyone is different. Also there is such a lack of research for MMMT they either treat it like ovarian cancer or sarcoma, but what I have been told it is the sarcoma part that is so hard to kill.
Anyhow I will pray for you and your wife.

[jerrob]

My wife is 56 at this time and just read your response.  We want to just say thank you with sad hearts.  We are both Christians who believe in MIRACLES !!! Your priest is correct and please thank him from us.  I pray that your results will be positive today from the CT scan.  We also appreciate the honesty of the things you have encountered on your journey of cancer.  Carbo/Ifosfamide from the spouse side made me feel terrible to watch my wife when I couldn't do a thing medically to help.  We go back to the Doctor in 2 weeks for another CT scan.  We were told that this Chemo works to stop the growth not shrink the tumor.  Our Doctor said after 3 to 4 months the Chemo stops working ?  May angels surround you and may God put you in the palm of his hand. Thanks for your words.