Ovarian CA, Tamoxifen and Blood Test Results

Just wanted to update everyone on our situation...Mom was dx w/ ovarian CA in Sept 2003, had surgery and 6 rounds of Platinol and Carboplatin.  This January 2005 her Ca level was 42 and the Dr. decided to put her on Tamoxifen for a month "to see" if that would help before proceeding to chemotherapy again. ( I found that a bit guinea pig-ish ) Suprise!  We just got her CA 125 levels back and she is at 115.  So the Tamoxifen DID NOT work on her OVARIAN CANCER!  I have done lots and lots of research on the internet and all the information out there reads that Tamoxifen is not indicative for the treatment of ovarian cancer.  So why do these oncologists do this?!?!  She will go back to the Platinol and Carboplatin for 6 rounds over 18 weeks.  How the Dr. explained it to us was...Her cancer will return and then she will have the chemotherapy and it will always be this cycle.  I said " Kind of like a weed...it grows, we kill it and it comes back"  He said "Yes"  So this was our experience.  Take care everyone and God bless you and your families and loved ones... Love, Lovey1027

[EOPPCsurvivor]

The reason some use tamoxifen is because, like breast cancer, some types of ovarian cancer are estrogen receptive.  The idea is that if an OVCA is estrogen receptive then tamoxifen can block the cancer from receiving the estrogen it needs, therefore causing cellular death of OVCA cells.  Perhaps a question for your mom's oncologist should be about whether her cancer is estrogen receptive.  I would also question why they would start tamoxifen with a CA-125 of 42 when 0-35 is the normal range.  Personally, I think they should have treated with at least one or two more rounds of carbo/taxol and knocked those numbers even lower.  Then start tamoxifen (if she's estrogen receptive.)  Other options might be low dose taxol (usually 3 weeks on, one week off) for 6 or 12 rounds.