Worry about treatment options for mom

[anna616]

HI everybody
My mom was diagnosed with OVC stage IV one and a half year ago, went on chemotherapy with Taxol and Carpoplatin for six rounds.  She had been in remission for 11 months then a CAT scan showed the cancer's back 2 days ago.  The doctor gave us two options 1. Surgery + chemotherapy, 2. Chemotherapy alone.  Anyone has any similar condition and decided one option over the other.  Could you give us some advice? Really appreciate it
Anna

[crecco]

Anna,
   I have been thinking about this since I answered you yesterday and read your response. Though I realize that your mom probably does not want to go through the chemo and feels the surgery would be easier, I really don't know if that is the way to go. As Pam pointed out, any later surgeries would probably not be done. And in thinking, I just wondered if your mom's Dr made any mention of chemo after this surgery. I would think that he would go that route as in stage IV there will always be microscopic cells that will be there. If she is going to have to go through chemo afterwards, she should consider going for just chemo and not surgery. My stage IV cancer has been held relatively steady for 3 years now with chemo. My Dr refuses to do any more surgery unless it becomes absolutely necessary as he wants me to keep my strength up for the chemo.
  Don't get me wrong, as I am not telling you what to do, but giving you something else to think about. Whichever way she decides, I wish her the best.
   Chris

[nyc lady]

I am so sorry to hear of your recurrence.  We are all here to help you through it!!!

Love,
Pam

[lucymullis]

I have spent a lot of time researching this issue and there are differing opinions.  I am in my first recurrence.  I live in NC but also got a second opinion in NY.  My ca125 has risen from 10 to 192, so the monster is back.  (I have been in remission for 2.5 years). However, there are no tumors yet, so surgery isn't an option.  If there had been, I was leaning towards surgery.  The NY doctor recommended this but did a scan and saw that no tumors were showing up so I will probably go with chemo or a parp trial.  It just makes sense to me that if debulking successfully the first time is the best prognostic indicator then doing it when it recurs is too.  Of course, you must be healthy enough to handle surgery.  This is just my conclusion and keep in mind I am approaching this monster very aggressively.  

[Angie_Lou]

I have six scattered 'nodules' ranging from 1 to 2 cm.  My doctor did not even suggest surgery because these are small and we only did the chemotherapy (weekly taxol from end of Nov 2008 to last week.)  Four of the nodules reduced in size (almost half the size they were) and two remain unchanged.

My full story in a nut shell: Surgery (full hysterectomy & de-bulking) in Apr 2007, followed by 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol from May-Aug 2007.  Remission until Oct-Nov 2008 and then as stated above with second-line chemo of weekly taxol.  Since your Mom seems only to have had one-line of chemo and in remission for almost as long as I was, I would think chemotherapy should be given a chance to shrink her 1.5 - 2 cm 'tumors.'  Why your Mom's are called tumors & mine are nodules is beyond me: the size happens to be almost the same.  

Now that I know the size of her 'tumors', I suggest you & your Mom go for that second opinion before opting for the surgery route.

My best, Angie

[nyc lady]

The thing about a 2nd surgery, is that they may not do a third. If chemo would shrink the tumors and keep them stable, then maybe she wouldn't need to do surgery.

Most doctors will not do a 3rd abdominal surgery. I know that they won't for me.  A friend of mine stage 3C, recurred after almost 4 years.  They did surgery to remove the masses on her liver.  She then had 6 treatments taxol and carbo, and then there was a tumor in her pelvic region.....doctors won't do a third surgery.  

If it were me I would opt for a 2nd opinion.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.
Pam

[anna616]

Thank you for all your replies
Now that I have calmed down, I'd like to thank you for your support.  She decided to do surgery and still waits for the dr response.  The CAT scan showed 4 tumors ( 2 pushing on the liver, the other 2 in the abdomen) ranging 1.5-2 cm in size.  She had a 6 hour surgery 1 1/2 year ago and then chemo 6 rounds.  This time the doctor said its gonna be 3 1/2 hours and she said she might be able to remove all of them (what she clinically sees).  I know its gonna make her feel weak and the 6 weeks recovery will not be easy but she decided to give it her best shot and be aggressive with treating this beast. I am trying to get her into Stanford Hospital (CA) for 2nd opinion and maybe some clinical trials.  I wish the best to you all.  Its fantastic to hear from all of you and I would keep my mom updated on your posts
Best regards,
Anna

[crecco]

Anna,
   I was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer 3 1/2 years ago and am currently doing great. As your mother had remission for 11 months, I would assume that chemo would be the route they would go.
  Mine has been treated as a chronic disease and I have been on chemo non stop the whole time. Thankfully it has kept it under control. I have never had a remission and probably never will, but the chemo is doing its job.
   Most Drs opt for chemo for recurrence as surgery is so draining on you. Mine prefers to keep my strength up for the chemo.
  Which ever way she chooses, I wish the best for her. Tell her to keep her hopes up as each of us has that chance of beating the odds.
     Chris

[ladyjogger31]

Hi, I asked about another surgery and my Dr. said NO it will spread the cancer. He would rather treat it with chemo. Every Gyn/Onc is different. Sending lots of prayers and hugs to your Mom. I'm a stage 3c and it's been over a year for me and I've been on non-stop chemo.I've never been in remission.Your mom was really lucky to get 11 months. We treat this as a chronic disease.Sending your Mom lots of Hugs and Prayers,
Love Terry

[Angie_Lou]

I really don't have an answer to your question, because I have not been given this type of option at this time in my life, fighting against this beast.

However, I don't like a post (such as yours) to be passed by without some kind of response.  It urks me when a doctor gives an option without the reasons.  Explain the reason behind each option and then say what they (the doctors) feel is the best option for the individual.  It true that doctors can't play God (and we don't expect them too) but, in their expertise, they should have valid reasons behind each option given to us.

Every woman's situation is different, but there's not much in your post or in your profile to even give the other women here the opportunity to "compare."  Did your mom have any surgery prior to her first-line of chemotherapy?  How much of the cancer came back?  Where is it located and how large are the tumors.   These are particulars that will help other women that may have had simlar experiences and the same option given to them from their doctors.

Whatever your mom's decision is, I hope and pray it is the best for her.

My best to you and your mom,  Angie