Aa
What the Future Holds
I am a 39 yr old, who was diagnosed with Stage 1A Grade #3 (Clear Cell) ovarian cancer in March 2006. Had a complete TAH/BSO/Debulking omentoctomy
Just wanted to thank you for your response and to commend you on operating this forum and giving such precise and thoughtful answers, it is very much appreciated, and I think very much needed in this field of topic. Thank you again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello Jane,
Thank you for sharing your story. You have had the best treatment that we know to give for ovarian cancer. That is a complete surgical staging followed by combination platinum/taxane chemotherapy. A stage I A cancer means that all biopsies of lymph nodes omentum and so forth showed no signs of cancer and the cancer was confined to the inside of the ovarian tumor and that the ovarian tumor was removed unruptured.
Yes indeed the risk of a cancer recurring should be zero in that situation. In reality, it is not zero for a few reasons. The most important reason is under staging, which means that not enough biopsies were taken to be certain that there is no sign of spread. The statistics that we have are that for a woman with an ovarian tumor that appears confined to the ovary, 20 percent will have metastases if you take enough biopsies. From what you have described, it sounds like you have had a very adequate and complete staging.
Another reason for recurrence is actually not recurrence but the development of a new cancer that is similar to the one you have had. Because you have had excellent surgery, the only area at risk for you is the lining of your abdomen, which is called the peritoneum.
We are just at the beginning of our understanding of genetics and cancer risk. But presently, there are two genes that have been associated with ovarian cancer and breast cancer: BRCA1 and BRCA 2. You should ask your gyn oncologist about being tested. If you have one of these genes, you will have some more knowledge about other cancer risks such as breast cancer or peritoneal cancer.
As far as the overall effects of chemo: some women will develop a neuropathy with numbness in their hands and / or feet. Beyond that, the chemo regimen that you are taking is thought to be very safe. There have been reports of developing leukemia from chemotherapy but not with the drugs that you are taking.
Follow up screening involves checking CA 125 blood tests, exams, and x-rays (usually CT scans). CA 125 is very sensitive. Please refer to my note on this from 7/14/2006
Thank you for sharing your story. You have had the best treatment that we know to give for ovarian cancer. That is a complete surgical staging followed by combination platinum/taxane chemotherapy. A stage I A cancer means that all biopsies of lymph nodes omentum and so forth showed no signs of cancer and the cancer was confined to the inside of the ovarian tumor and that the ovarian tumor was removed unruptured.
Yes indeed the risk of a cancer recurring should be zero in that situation. In reality, it is not zero for a few reasons. The most important reason is under staging, which means that not enough biopsies were taken to be certain that there is no sign of spread. The statistics that we have are that for a woman with an ovarian tumor that appears confined to the ovary, 20 percent will have metastases if you take enough biopsies. From what you have described, it sounds like you have had a very adequate and complete staging.
Another reason for recurrence is actually not recurrence but the development of a new cancer that is similar to the one you have had. Because you have had excellent surgery, the only area at risk for you is the lining of your abdomen, which is called the peritoneum.
We are just at the beginning of our understanding of genetics and cancer risk. But presently, there are two genes that have been associated with ovarian cancer and breast cancer: BRCA1 and BRCA 2. You should ask your gyn oncologist about being tested. If you have one of these genes, you will have some more knowledge about other cancer risks such as breast cancer or peritoneal cancer.
As far as the overall effects of chemo: some women will develop a neuropathy with numbness in their hands and / or feet. Beyond that, the chemo regimen that you are taking is thought to be very safe. There have been reports of developing leukemia from chemotherapy but not with the drugs that you are taking.
Follow up screening involves checking CA 125 blood tests, exams, and x-rays (usually CT scans). CA 125 is very sensitive. Please refer to my note on this from 7/14/2006
You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cancer Forum
Learn how to spot the warning signs of this “silent killer.”
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
