Why, After PPC Surgery, a 7th and 8th Chemo Added?

[SonOfMyMother]

My 83-year old mother was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer June 2008. CA125 tumor marker was 18,800. (not a typo). Surgery was initially recommended after 3 chemo treatments of carbo platen. After 3 treatments, a 4th chemo was recomended. After 4th treatment, debulking surgery was scheduled. Oncologist cautioned, in advance of surgery, that after the surgery, a 5th and 6th chemo would be needed, to complete the "course" of 6. Surgery on 10/7/08. At follow-up visit to oncologist yesterday 10/28/08, oncologist said that 2 additional chemo treatments would be needed (a 7th and an 8th, beyond the not-yet completed 5th and 6th). Doctor said that pathology from surgery confirms PPC as the type of cancer. What might have the doctor seen that would call for a 7th and 8th chemo? does it automatically mean that the surgery was not as successful as might have been expected? Up till this point, i felt qualified, by reading sites such as this one, to ask the doctor(s) questions, but now, suddenly, i feel like i'm not sure what questions i should be asking, nor am i sure where to look online for guidance about this specific phase of my mom's treatment and rehabilitation. Guidance most welcome

[JC145]

I have PPC and there were several small spots that could not be removed .. inbetween my intestines,on my diahram, etc.  I had larger spots removed from my bladder and cul-de-sac.  Needless to say, they took out the ovaries, etc.

Once your Mom's omentum was removed and the doctor had a good look around, he would see where the cancer was actually beginning and may have felt the additional 2 treatments would be recommended.  You can ask the doctor exactly what he saw and where.  You can request a copy of the operative report and pathology report and read for yourself.  As long as you Mom can tolerate it, then it is probably her best course of action.  

I'll keep Mom in my prayers.  Judy

[marie3B]

I agree that they are on top of the situation.  I asked for more treatments when chemo did not do the complete job with my tumors, but the doc did not feel it would help me.  I wish her the best.  Marie

[vegas2cr]

First let me say that I am sorry about your Mom.  I have stage IV ovarian so I know the difficulties involved with the chemo.. since it is now PPC that covers linings of everything inside,,, stomach etc and they could see that it would need more than 6 which is the standard.. it does not mean that the outlook is poorer it means you have a doctor that knows what he saw and knows what to do... Many of us need 8 chemo treatments...

I had chemo first total and then surgery... I then needed radio frequency liver ablation to take care of cancer there.. each case is so individual..

What  they saw i would assume was more cancer still clinging to the peritoneal areas..It sounds to me again like your Mom is in good hands... Ronni