Ovarian cance

[mudgett]

My mom was recently diagnosed with ovca and I believe it must be stage 3 or 4. Her Dr. is being quite vague.I do know it has spread to her liver.She has spots on her liver and had fluid in her lungs that had to be drained.After that she actually is feeling quite well since she started her Chemo.She's eating well and feeling good.She has gone back to work part time.I guess my question is ....How does this disease progress.I've read alot of things and still seem to have so many unaswered questions.They say they will not operate right now until she has a few rounds of chem to see how she responds to treatment.Does anyone have a any insight for me.Thanks

[jlock]

Chris is absolutely right...we all respond differently to chemo.  Beside there being a stage there is also the grade of the cancer cell type and depending on which one she might be can also have an impact on the prognosis. There is grade 1-3. grade 3 being the fastest growing. You will not know the grade until the pathology report is back. As Chris stated she sounds like a stage 3c or 4..the only difference between the 2 is stage 4 there could be tumors IN the liver or fluid drained from the lungs is positive for cancer cells.  I'll keep your Mom in prayer that she comes through this well~~~Joanne

[crecco]

How this disease progresses is a hard question to answer because everyone is different and so is their response to chemo. If it has spread to her liver I am guessing that it is probably stage IV. If she is feeling well and eating well, that is a good sign.
  Some Drs choose to do surgery right away followed by chemo, others choose to do chemo first, then surgery, and others try part of the chemo first, then surgery and then more chemo. At these late stages there is no cure but it can be controlled if the response to chemo is good. Even though surgery may remove all visible cancer, at this late stage, there will remain microscopic cells that may or may not begin growing again at any time.
  You say her Dr is vague. It is his job to answer any and all questions either of you may have, and to explain everything as it happens. If he refuses to do this, you might want to consider finding another Dr who will be open with you and take time to answer your questions and make you aware of what is going on. It is a good idea that your mom take someone with her when she goes to the Dr and that you both sit down before hand and make a list of all of the questions you would like answered.
  Please keep us informed and feel free to ask us anything and we will try to answer your questions if we can.
       Chris