My 15 yr. old daughter was diagnosed with a stage 3 grade 3 immature teratoma

[bmcd]

My 15 yr. old daughter was diagnosed with a stage 3 grade 3 immature teratoma of the right ovary. The rt. ovary was sugically removed as well as a benign mature teratoma of the left ovary. The cancer had also spread to her abdominal lining, which was sugically removed. She has had her first round of chemo (BEP), which is 3 1/2 hours a day for 3 straight days. She will have a total of 4 series of chemo with 2 wks. rest in between. From what I have researched this all seems very serious. The treatment seems more aggressive than normal. As a scared dad, I was hoping someone could share similar experiences that would prepare me for what is to come in the near and distant future and what the long term prognosis might be. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance,
Bob

[metrogal]

Dear Bob: Words can't express what I'm feeling right now. My heart and prayers go out to you and your daughter. I'm new to the board. Hopefully, the angels of this site can offer you some strength and knowledge.

[gma718]

I am new to this site....my prayers and thoughts are with your daughter....She will be fine. Take one day at a time

[nytasha]

My thoughts are with you I wish I could give more information. But I know that once she receives the proper treatment she will be fine I know this in my heart.

[Best59]

I find this article on the Web:
CONCLUSIONS: Pure ovarian immature teratoma is a potentially curable disease with a unique natural history. Our data substantiate the hypothesis that low-grade and low-stage tumors do not require chemotherapy, and that a fertility-sparing surgical approach is warranted in all cases.


http://www.greenjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/84/4/598

Conclusion:
The results of this study suggest that surgery alone is curative for most children and adolescents with resected ovarian immature teratoma of any grade, even when elevated levels of serum alpha-fetoprotein or microscopic foci of yolk sac tumor are present. This experience strongly supports avoiding the long-term effects of chemotherapy in most children with ovarian immature teratoma by reserving postoperative therapy for cases with relapse.

http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/cgi-bin/mycite?ExtRef=MEDL/99383845

I'm sure she is a fighter, and strong person. Very hard for parents to see anything like that, but you need to be stong for her too.
I'm with you guys, please let us know, how she is doing. I wish you guys the best! Sue

[blwms]

I'm sorry I can't offer advice but, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God Bless,
B.

[Anna-maria74]

Why on earth did I think you were a lady LOL!

Very brave Dad :)

Anna x

[nyc lady]

I am so sorry that you and your family have to go thru this. I don't have info to offer but suggest you try to post on the other ovarian forum and get Dr Goodman's opinion.

Being agressive isn't always bad....if it increases the odds of curing a disease with no recurrences, then maybe it is worth it.

Please keep us posted on her progress and if there are other questions you have as you and your family go thru this please let us know...hopefully we will be able to provide you with some answers or guidence.

My best to you and your family.

[Maeg2617]

I wish your daughter the best and will keep her in my prayers. I was also dx young, but not as young as her. Tell her the truth and let her make decision for herself is the best advise I can give you.

[GlendaS]

Yes, they say that immature teratoma is an aggressive cancer, but it usually responds well to chemotherapy. Thank God for wonderful dads such as yourself. Even as a 26-year-old married mother of a 3 1/2-month-old son when I was diagnosed, my dad was my biggest advocate and helped me get the information I needed to make educated decisions. He went on the internet and found tons of information. He also found out about a gyn/onc that wrote a textbook chapter on immature teratoma. He found out the name of the dr.'s assistant and just kept calling her until one day the dr. was in the room while he was on the phone with her and he said, "Tell him that if he can get her here today, I will see her." My dad then bought me a plane ticket from NC to OH, called and told me and I left 3 hrs. later. This dr. was able to give me more info. With stage 3A, grades 0,1, & 2 immature teratoma, he told me that if I decided to do chemo, that I would have a 99% chance of being cured for life. I don't know what differences would apply to grade 3, although I do know that it is considered more aggressive. If it had just been grade 1 as one of the path. reports stated, he said that I would have an 80% chance of no further intervention ever needed (besides the surgery I already had). Since I had a path report come back from Johns Hopkins (from the path. who came up with the grading system for it) with a 2, he said that he couldn't give me a firm percentage if I didn't do chemo, but that he was confident with the imaging available to us, that I could be monitored closely and that if I were to have a recurrance, I could have chemo then and it would totally wipe it out. I still consult w/ this dr. In fact, my gyn/onc in NC is at a meeting with him this week and they are going to discuss my case and get back to me. I have a cyst that from the MRI doesn't appear to have the characteristics of a dermoid or immature teratoma so they are thinking it is another type of benign tumor or another type of ovarian cancer. My dr. did tell me that recurrances with immature teratoma usually show up very quickly so the fact that I'm over a year out means that it probably isn't a recurrance of the same type of cancer, but obviously the only way to know for sure is to have surgery and remove the cyst. I was told in the beginning from other gyn/onc's that it was very aggressive and that I needed chemo right away, but that just hasn't been the case. I am so glad that my dad got me an appt. with my dr. in OH. He has been wonderful. From what I understand from him, chemo completely knocks this type of cancer out, even in recurrance. Prognosis is very good with chemo. I am at work now, but I have more info. at home. I will try to find it this evening and post some of it for you. Best wishes to you.....I am still praying for your daughter and your whole family.

[Jepoy]

Did you undergo chemo? my wife also had a immature teratoma grade 2 with no staging yet.We are thinking of undergo chemo or not.advice pls.thanks

[Kimchi]

GlendaS has not been active with this forum for a while...so not sure if she will answer you.  If what Glenda says about it being an aggresive (aggressive) cancer and respondes well to chemo, maybe this is the way to go...Think about getting a second opinion to help with your decision...Also try to post your question on the doctor's forum under Ovarian Cancer...Give as much information...Hope for good news.

[bmcd]

The decision for chemotherapy is directly related to staging and grading of the teratoma.  If at low stage and grade (caught early enough and unfortunately most are not) a "wait and see" approach is not uncommon.  First line chemotherapy can be administered the moment it looks like the teratoma is back.  Grade 2 is fairly aggressive, but the more aggressive the better response to chemo the teratoma is likely to have.  At high stages (stage 3-4) chemotherapy is stongly suggested.  Immature teratoma or any OVCA is nothing to mess around with.  Treatment may be in the best interests even at lower stages.  Hope this helps, any other questions feel free to ask.

Take Care and God Bless,
Bob

[Jepoy]

Thanks for the response,we decided to review the slides and the immature teratoma became GRADE1 we consult 2 Oncos,they Have different opinion,the first onco told us that we need a hyserectomy and after that a chemo.the other one said that a monitoring will do and no and need for chemo.My wife decided not to do chemo.We are confused because we a have a application approve be the canadian government  to migrate. If this cancer affects our application.....

[CaydensMommy]

Hi! I had to change my screen name from GlendaS to CaydensMommy because my email address changed. I'm sorry I haven't responded because I haven't been checking this forum lately because I've been so busy with school and family, but I did decide to check today and saw your post. From what I have read and experienced, usually gyn/oncs suggest surgery for anything over a grade one or Stage 2 or higher. If I had surgery and then a few gyn/onc opinions to have chemo, but I decided to go with another gyn/onc's opinion that said I could get by without chemo. It's been two years and I haven't had a recurrance (I'm keeping my fingers crossed). I have had a lot of ovarian cysts on my remaining ovary and had one surgery to have a cyst removed and they found some mature teratomas in my abdominal cavity, but everything was completely benign that time. Good luck to you, your wife and your family. I hope that everything will be alright with her health and with your application.
Prayers,
Glenda

[CaydensMommy]

Sorry, I didn't mean to say "If I had surgery." I had surgery. I will try to check this forum and will be happy to answer any other questions you may have. Good luck to you!

[mike132230]

it almost a year now when my wife undergo surgery, she did'nt took chemo as the oncos told us,now she is gaining weight,and we are praying for the cancer not to reccure.We are waiting now for the medical examination for our migration in Canada, hoping for possitive result. Thanks for the prayers

[chelleburks]

Dear Bob
I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTERS CONDITION BUT I WAS RECENTLY DX WITH STAGE 3 OVARIAN.  I AM SURE YOUR PAIN IS MUCH GREATER THAN MINE.  STAY POSITVE AND KEEP FAITH, IT CAN GET YOU THROUGH.

CHELLEBURKS

[melenzbee83]

Hi Bob,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your daughter and family. It was hard enough being only 22 when i was diagnosed, I cant even begin to imagine what your daughter must be going through.

Stay positive. Will keep you all in my prayers.
x

[kristygirl10]

Im 17 and I was diagnosed with immature teratoma in March. I had my left ovary removed immediately. I started chemo  and went through 4 threatments and my 4th treatment was too agressive and started showing stress on my organs.  No more of that type of chemo.  Duke has an exploratory treatment that I am trying now, but the treatment *****. Major sick. Now I am into stage 4 and the doctors want to do a full hystorectomy. I dont want my unterus removed because I wont be able to carry babies. They froze my eggs before the treatments started so I would be able to have children. But without a uterus it does not matter. I go to Duke tomorrow for my next treatment. They are going to be more aggressive because it moved to my stomach lining. Its already affecting my liver and tomorrow they are attaching me to a filtering machine that will be cleansing my liver while im having the chemo.  I have to admit I hate every second of it.  The only think that keeps me up and moving is my family and my boyfriend.  He has been amazing through all of this.  This is my senior year and I am homebound.  I feel like I am completely away from what is going on in the world.  I cant go anywhere or see anyone bercause its flu season. I just keep saying to myself that this just a trial that im going through. My advice is to try to be normal with your daughter, dont hover, dont baby, and dont talk too much about it, but dont ignor it either.  I hate when ppl act like it does not exist.

[dian07]

I am so sorry you are going through all this "stuff"......even more so because of your age.  Growing up is hard enough without having to live the nightmare you are living.  You have been forced into a world that should be off limits to you!
You are a very strong young woman.  It's good you are involved with the technology at Duke......and, I am so glad you have such a supportive family and boyfriend.
You hang in there and come back here as often as you like.  We can be home bound with you.  Most of us are old enough to be your mom or gramma.......and, we will all be here for and with you, kiddo!
Peace.
dian

[AutumnBeauty66]

I'm so sorry to hear about ur daughter. As i am very worried about my daughter who is 20 yrs. old and i don't think her Dr.s know what to do...well they actually admitted that to her today! I will pray for ur daughter also ...she is sooo young! Christina is my only child. May the Angels fly down and take care of them.  Good Luck Bob.