Ovarian cancer recurrence in abdominal rectus muscle

Thanks for taking the time to read my message. I posed the message below at another ovarian cancer message board with no response yet. I was wondering if anybody else could help here. Thanks and God Bless.

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Hello. I'm new to this message board and this is my first posting. However, I've visited the site before and I find you all so encouraging and informative.

By way of introduction, my name is Tony and my mother was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer in March 06. We are from Sydney, Australia. I have been trying to give her all the support that is humanly possible so that we can get through this.

My mother's ovarian cancer spread to her colon (small bowel, rectum, appendix), omentum and to a para-aortic lymph node. She had a complete hysterectomy and her omentum was also removed, however, the surgeon could not remove the lymph node as it was too risky, the cancer having attached itself too close to the para-aorta. My mother then had 6 rounds of standard IV carbo/taxol chemo for 3 months, ending in July 06 (Australia doesn't offer IP chemo right now).

About 2 weeks ago, my mother went for a PET scan which revealed something suspicious in the groin region. We then went to have a pelvic/abdominal ultrasound which revealed a mass near/on the abdominal rectus muscle in the right groin. At the same time during the ultrasound, a fine needle biopsy was performed and yesterday the results came back saying that the ovarian cancer has recurred IN the abdominus rectus muscle.

Our surgical/ gyn oncologist - Professor Neville Hacker from Sydney's Women's Hospital says he's never seen anything like this and I guess that's saying something considering he's quite a high-profile gyn oncologist who has come across many different cases of ovarian and gyn cancers. We don't know how serious this is or what it means.

Has anybody heard about an ovarian cancer recurrence in the abdominal rectus muscle or metastasis in this region? The doctor is suggesting some surgery and radiation to this muscle mass and perhaps some chemo.

Her CA-125 is about 28 although if tested now it's probably gone up more.

[nyc lady]

How lucky is your mother to have you at her side during this battle.  I believe that OvCa can spread just about anywhere, especially with the groin region.  There are a couple of women on this site with mets to the brain.  OvCa itself is such a "rare" disease when you think about the number of women afflicted with it, in the US approximately 23000 per year are diagnosised, which is a realitively small number, compared to the number of women in the United States....so, for a doctor to say that they have never seen it spread to a particular region, does not surprise me.  

Stage 3C OvCa is very serious, the rate of recurrence is extremely high and it appears that your mom has recurred.  I think that it is great that he is willing to try radiation on a localized area, not many women with OvCa are treated with radiation as it is usually not localized.  

Remember, a CA125 is only a good test when used in concert with the scans.  There is no one test that can diagnosis OvCa.

Please let us know how things are going.  We are here to help any way we can.

[dian07]

I am sorry to learn of your mother's battle ....it is a tough monster of a disease we are dealing with. I am not familiar with a case such as your mom's but will agree with nyc lady on the recognition that this diseasc can spread just about anywhere....especially in the abdominal areas.  It must be terribly difficult having your mom go through all this...I must say, however, having you by her side...as strong and couragous as you are ( I realize you too have your moments) is a real blessing.  Also, I am so glad to hear her docs haven't thrown their hands up in the air and surrender.  There are a lot of us out here.....so sorry she has to be a member in this club.  You make certain you stay on top of all these same issues for yourself.....remember.....it is silent and oh so easy to ignore!  Don't do that.  Give your mom my best wishes.....she is fighting right along side of many other brave women.  Tony...do return regularly....keep us posted....we are here for you as well as your mom.
Peace.
dian