Rising Ca 125 recurrence

I was diagnosed June 14, 2006 with 1A grade three ovarian cancer, miraculously found through a CT scan for diverticulitis. One week I had abdominal pain, and the next week I had a complete hysterectomy, including omentum and cervix.The surgery was successful, and I completed 6 carbo/taxol treatments. My CA 125 prior to surgery was over 4000, and before chemo six weeks later had dropped to 14. After the 1st treatment it was 7. My CA 125 stood at 7-11 throughout the last 23 months. Last month it elevated to 13.8 from 8.8 three months prior. I was concerned, so I had another test this past Monday and it has elevated to 33. I have no other symptoms. I have talked to my doctor, and will be having a chest and abdominal CT scan today and appointment with him on Tuesday to discuss treatment options and recurrence in general. It took 2 years to regrow my hair and regain my strength, and I just did not expect to be dealing with recurrence as my prognosis was 90% no recurrence. Recurrence seems to be a whole other ball game, with new rules and many different treatments. I would like to know if recurrent ovarian cancer is always fatal, or if there is any chance of remission. I will fight this horrible disease if I have a chance, but I am concerned about quality of life. Can you tell me anything about chance of remission/survival in recurrent ovarian cancer? Thank you.

Diane

[Cindy809]

Diane ... It sounds like they caught your disease at an early stage.  That is good.  Grade 3 tumors grow faster.  You had a 23 month remission and responded to your first round of chemotherapy very well.  Grade 3 tumors respond well to chemo.  Your number is still low and there might be a possibility of catching it early again.  Chances are they might want to use the same chemo carbo/taxol.   As far as survival goes there is no definate answer to that question.  There are so many ladies that survive for years and have remissions between treatments.  There are lots of treatment options and trials.  I am so sorry that you are going through this.  You can do this!  After you find out what is going on they might be able to do a second surgery since yours was almost 2 years ago.  Please keep us posted!  Hope this helps....Cindy