OVC Spread to Brain-a possibility?

[Mobydick]

My Wife 48, is currently on her 3rd reoccurance, being treated on Gemzar, PET scan showed had mulitipal 'hot spots' in her lympth nodes, CA 125 was 700 now after 4 double sessions (gemzar she is on is on day 1, repeated on day 8 and starts next session on day 21) She deveoped a 'drooping eye lid' and her OnC did MRI, this showed a 'well definded 1cm spot'. Her OC refered her onto a neuroligist, he stated as this was her first MRI, and the spot did not show the normal signes of spread of OvC he felt he would repeat the MRI after 2 further cycles of chemo. This has now been done and the spot has grown to 1.2cms, during this period her CA has dropped from 700 to 69. The neuroligist is recomending removal of the spot by gamma knife followed by complete head radiation. Thats the history, now the question: has anyone else have knowledge of this proceedure, is this normal, what side effects can we 'look forward to', yes we have an excellent OnC the neuroligist is open to any questions but with you ladies, you get an honest response.I want to give my wife the best, whether its quality of life or whatever she wants, She is a true fighter, but I just need to know, so if she asks I can supply the answers. Thanks Steve

[xrayu2]

There are several patients where I work that have had gamma knife and done very well after surgery.  I scanned 2 this past week(1-39 and 1-56) they have brain mets from breast cancer.  They are doing great, one had just finished her chemo and her hair had come back and she asked that they be kind and not butcher her hair just yet. Gamma Knife seems to cause less side effects than having radiation treatments .  I hope she does well and hang in there.  I know it seems to be an uphill battle but keep fighting.  You both will be in my thoughts and my prayers.

[brel]

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Best wishes !

[xrayu2]

So have they decided whether or not it is cancer spread or just something new that developed?

[Krull1]

Hi Steve. Just wanted to say how TRULY Blessed your wife is to have you by her side. Just know she doesn't need you to have the answers just be there holding her hand. My prayers are with the two of you and your family. God Bless!!

[MickeyVicki]

Steve, typically, OVCA does not spread to the brain, but it can happen.  It can also happen that other cancers, and even non-cancerous tumors, can develop.  The process of chemotherapy treament kills both healthy cells and the malignant cells, and 'strange' things can happen during the treatments.

One of my dearest friends died of a cancer that was discovered in Stage 4 (not ovca, but details are omitted for privacy).  This friend developed tumors in the brain  (and not just once but twice during the years of fighting the cancer.)  These tumors were determined to be malignant, but NOT associated as the same type of cancer as the primary tumor.  This friend was treated both times with  the "Gamma Knife" followed by a milder, full-head radiation treatment.  The side effects were minimal, described as a mild  headache and the skin felt as if it had been sunburned.   Each treatment was completely successful.   The doctor in charge of the treatment compared the dead tumors to "toasted coffee beans."

[toothfairyp]

Hi Steve. WOW you are a wonderful husband. I have no input other than to tell you that you and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Mobydick]

Many thanks for your words of wisdom and thoughts, I will pass all these on, concerning the 'spot' the neurosurgon strongly feels this isnot connected to OVC as does not have the normal flud or swelling, so feels its something not related, he feels that it could have been there for some time, and as this was the first MRI this was the reason for waiting. We are from UK, but have been living in Middle East for the pat 10 years, on this reoccurance, the only thing that showed was the increase in CA 125, her DR stated he was reluctant to treat numbers and recommended that we return to UK for specialist consultation, this was in April 2004. This Uk specialist on examining her and doing special but expensive test in Cambridge resurch univercity gave her 6 months to live. We came back to Middle East to Dr who care for their patients, anyway to cut a long story short, these Dr's here in Jordan want my wife to have the best, to live for a ripe old age, this is why they wish to do this treatment,just in case, as although the gamma ray should be enough as nothing else is showing, he want to do the head radiation to make sure. Tks again to you all and good luck in your own fights. Steve

[nursepatient]

I have no experience with what you two are going through.  I am thankful you have access to and commitment from good health care practitioners.  SOunds like you are in good hands.  May God watch over you both, and Moby, bless you for being a wonderful husband!

[MatureNurse]

Hi, I am a new nurse and work in the community going from house to houst to support different patients for what ever reason they require my help. Three of my patients have ovarian cancer. One of them have mets to the brain. She is a very lovely lady and is recieving Caelyx chemo treatment right now, this was a secondary treatment, as the first one no longer was effective. Your words have touhed me. You are a very kind and supportive husband. We would all be so lucky to have someone so supportive in our lives, and I am sure your wife is well deserving. I will keep you both in my prayers. Please remember to take care of yourself, becasue as the saying goes...if you don't take care of yourself, you are no longer of any use to anyone else!
Sincerely, Mature nurse

[newlifegal]

I have 4 lesions in my brain that metastized from my advanced OCA.  I received gamma knife followed by whole brain radiation.  Recently my neurosurgein did an open craniotomy to remove necrotic tissue that was putting pressure in the area.  I was thankful to hear it was dead tissue and not cancer.

All the best to your wife; I believe she will get through this.

Christa