No surgery for stage 3 OVCA

[JamesMc]

Let me start by thanking each of you for your comments. My mother went for her second CT scan after 6 cyles of chemo and the Dr said the cancer has really reduced in size. I asked him how big was the remaining cancer in size and he said their was no measure put down in her medical file so he stressed it was very small. I asked again if a PET scan should be done and he said no for the third time. His view was if we do a PET scan and find something we would operate at this stage. Her CA125 fell to 14 at the end of her chemo back in October 2007 and when tested in February in was at 11. My mothers Dr is a gyn oncologist and he refused on every occasion to operate. I said my mother is only 62, very fit, never a health problem in her life ( non-smoker and drinker), shouldn't she be treated aggressively now?...he said he didn't want  her to suffer a major operation, probably have a stoma ( some cancer touching the bowel) with no guarantee it would prevent the cancer from coming back. He said she is doing very well and they will treat it with more chemo if it returns (she is not NED at this stage). He said if we had to operate at a later stage we can leave that option on the table. Her oncologist said the same.

I'm in Ireland and I asked them why are they so against surgery and both Drs said they want to focus on quality of life and not put my mother through stress and pain treating everything little thing. They aslo said in the USA a "treatment culture" exists since the hospitals bill patients on a "per treatment" basis...I found this comment strange to say the least. She is on no maintenance chemo since they said most studies suggest it doesn't add any value over to the 6 rounds of chemo she got.


If anyone has any comments /suggestions ( I will get second opinion) please let me know what you think.

Thanks in advance

James


This discussion is related to No surgery option for stage 3c.

[Jen Y]

My mother, also diagnosed 3C, had her first surgery at 62, and has had three subsequent major surgeries (one interval debulking, a second debulking after recurrence, and then a mastectomy with lymph node removal) since then, so I don't think age should be a factor in your mom's case if she is otherwise healthy.

I will be thinking of you and your mother.  

[Cindy809]

James ... I agree with everything the ladies have already said.  I have a few things to add.  A CA125 test is NOT a good indicator for some.  You Mom's is in "normal" range at this time but that doesn't mean that she has less cancer.  I've had many many surgeries.  Some were very hard but the easiest was a bowel reversal.  If your Mom has to have a stoma she can have it reversed.  Actually it made my chemo treatment easier because I didn't have to deal with bowel issues during my treatment. My CT scan came back clear during my recurrence.  A PETCT was ordered and it showed cancer everywhere.  I had a secondary cytoreductive surgery with complete debulking.  Six months down the road here I am considered in remission again.  I believe the surgery saved my life!  How does your Mom feel about surgery?  Please get a second opinion and a third if needed.  Best to you and your Mom and please keep us posted ... Cindy  

[Jan214]

I must be misunderstanding something.  Has she had no surgery at all?  How did they know it was cancer?  The Dr sounds like he is sticking his head in the sand.  It is one thing for us not to want to know but a Dr?  He's afraid to find something cause he may have to operate right now if they do?  Either I missed something important or this guy does have a screw loose.

[marie3B]

I would want the surgery.  It is the standard of care because the better the debulking the better the chance the chemo will take care of everything left. In cases where there is too much cancer sometimes chemo must shrink it some before surgery, then resume chemo after surgery. 62 is still young.  I hope you can get another doctor. I wish your mother the best. Marie

[PinkTissue]

Do ask for a second opinion. My mum was diagnozed with stage 4 - cancer everywhere and has spread to liver, intestine, spleen and diaphragm. There is so much cancer that it is almost inoperable. So my mum had 3 chemo sessions first to shrink the tumors. After that she had the surgery to remove the remaining cancer. She would be re-starting chemo today for another 3 sessions. My mum is 63 (almost the same age as your mum) and she went through the chemo and surgery well. There is another 62 yr old lady who also underwent the surgery with great success a few weeks ago. Unless there is any underlying medical problem, I really don't see why your mum could not go through the surgery. My mum could sit up after the 2nd day of the surgery and is able to walk on the 3rd day.

[JC145]

I was diagnosed at 61 with stage 3c OVCA.  Before chemo, I had a hugh surgery that removed all the female parts plus the omentum.  Small spots were left on my mesentery and diaphram.  The interperitoneal tx was to take care of that.  The surgery was not too bad.  It was painful, but I pushed myself to walk holding on to my IV bag two days after surgery.  I knew from my C-Sections that walking helps you heal better and faster.  I was in the hospital about a week .. had a pump for self-medication of pain meds PRN. Three weeks post surgery, I had chemo.  I am happy the bulk of the cancer was removed.  Having said that, my Gyn/Onc doesn't do many second-look surgeries post chemo so from now on I will be treated with chemo only.  

I would want the surgery.

Judy C.

[mousewhisperer]

Please get a second opinion from a doc you feel you can trust.

[vegas2cr]

I personally think that doctor has a screw loose somewhere.  At 61 and in good health your Mom should be operated on in my opinion.  I was diagnosed with stage 4 last April with exploratory surgery.  I had 6 rounds of chemo and my ca 125 dropped to 6.  I then had debulking surgery  and guess what more cancer...they took out the remaining along with everything else I owned.. Now here we are and my cancer is back...At least I am giving myself every opportunity to live.   I am 58 and a type 1 diabetic for over 43 years. If you google anything and I mean anything on stage 3 or 4 surgry is a must...

I wish your mom much good