Ovarian Cancer Cure Possible

[RockiesCyclist]

I was diagnosed with OVCA stage 3-C in May 2010. I have since found out that I have a BRCA 2 mutation. I'm in a 15 month clinical trial, which includes the experimental drug (for OVCA) Avastin. I'm wondering if anyone out there has had success with being treated with Avastin. It is my understanding that what I can hope for is an increased remission time because of being treated with this drug. Just wondering if ANYONE is ever cured of this disease after one series of treatments.

[jennerfennerbenner]

I'm a nurse and am amazed at  the defination of courage after exeriencing closeness to OVCA patients.  I have had the priveledge to hear many stories that consisted of months to live that have turned into 6 years 10 years and one 15 years!!
DO NOT make yourself a statistic!

[nyc lady]

Yes there are late stage long term survivors....I volunteer with a 22 year stage 3B survivor....knew someone that was stage 4C that was on arimdex and other chemos for 9 years, and had a great quality of life.....while the stats on the disease are not the greatest....they are not 100 percent and there are people that beat the odds all the time.  

[kgoneou]

Hello, my mum BRCA1 positive,IIIc stage since March 2007 had the Avastin conbined with Gemsar for 6 months every two weeks. At the begin her Ca-125 was 22.5 and when the circle was finished her Ca-125 was 90. She stopped the chemo for 2 months and the Ca-125 climbed to 250. After that we decided to try the caelyx and after 3 chemos the Ca-125 went to 368 and I was really worried. Now we are thinking to start the topotecan or to listen the doctors in the MD Anderson Hospital and participate to a clinical trial combining the investigational drug XL147 (a PI3K inhibitor) plus carboplatin plus paclitaxel. What do you think about that choice?
Catherine

[Rita60]

Jane65,
I would like to ask you if you are still working while undegoing chemotherapy? I was diagnosed with stage IIIB ovarian cancer and in three years I underwent three different series of chemotherapy treatments. I had to retire as a result of the treatments. Now my Ca125 is climbing despite the fact that I finished my third round of treatments in March 2010. Do you recommend someone like me to be looking for work. I'm young and a teacher.
Do you know of other surviors who have recurrent ovarian cancer and are still working?
Rita60

[RockiesCyclist]

Hi,
Thanks for your response. Your stage is obviously more serious than mine. I'm glad to hear that you have received treatment that has helped you. I hope you have had some decent quality of life as you have continued treatment. Has your doctor ever spoken to you about Parp Inhibitors? Supposedly this is an option available to women who have ovarian cancer because of a BRCA mutation. This treatment kills the cancer cells ONLY and leaves the normal cells alone. It's only experimental right now, but they have had GREAT success with it. Check into it.I know that this is what my doctor plans to try on me if my cancer comes back.
I, too, wish you good luck, and I want to know how you do.
Pat

[jane65]

Hi,
I'm also BRCA 2 positive, and staged 4B, in 2007.

My oncologist and I have discussed Avastin, which looks wonderfully promising for us OVCA ladies.
I'm on Doxil my 4th chemo drug now, never really had a remission and we're holding Avastin until a later use.

Good luck to you, and please keep us informed how you do.
Jane