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prognosis question

My mom who is 56 just finished chemo for stage IIc clear cell ovarian cancer. She had her first CT scan and everything was clear. She was diagnosed in October 2006. Her Gynocologist oncologist suggested going for CT scans every 4 months and getting a CA-125 test every 3 weeks. He does not like the CA-125 test for my mom as it was only 11 before surgery and now at 8- he said due to clear cell, and not being accurrate...? She also went for a second opinion at Johns Hopkins and the Doctor there agreed with what she should do moving forward. I have a few questions---Is there anything else we can do after first line chemo- antibodies, more chemo to ensure less chance of recurrence? Also, her pathology report stated that the tumor was in just one ovary( right side ) and it was stage II because it was touching her pelvic side wall. They removed 12 lymph nodes and all were negative. Nothing in her uterus or fallopian tubes- I am confused on the differences between stage Ic and IIc as they seem similar. Both Doctors said she could be considered a Ic as the tumor was barely ruptured during surgery. The statistics are much more favorable for stage Ic- is their a big difference? My last question- is it better that the ovary ruptured during surgery than happenin before? With her findings- stage IIc,clear cell, grade 3, 56 years old- clean CT scan- does she have a favorable prognosis?
Thanks for your time and input- it is very much appreciated.
A worried son
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Avatar universal
My sister is 2C originally clear cell but changed to Endometrioid cell type after a second opinion due to fast growth after surgery. After surgery the Dr. came in and said "you have a slightly better than 50% chance to make it to five years". That is based on some statistics somewhere for Ovarian Epithelian stage 2C. When the cell type changed he didn't say anything only high grade, 3, epithelian. You can read all kinds of prognostic indicators. Two of the most important being stage and amount of disease left after debulking surgery for the chemo to kill. Other factors such as age, cell type, CA-125 response rate, amount of cancer before surgery, etc., are also mentioned as prognostic factors but of lessor value or not accepted by everyone. My sister had a large 10X11X0.5 mass on CT scan prior to chemo. They say it was cancer so she started chemo soon. Her CA-125 went from 296 before surgery to 195 before first chemo to 17.2 before 3rd chemo. I think your mom was better off than my sister if she had very little cancer for the chemo to deal with. Have you looked into the PET scan? It can supposedly find microscopic cancer that a CT scan can't. I would think that would be better but maybe not offered due to lack of availability or cost. Remember new treatments are coming along and hopefully some day soon they will understand how to completely cure this disease. I wish there was more info on diet, exercise, etc., but it makes sense to eat healthy and to exercise. God bless.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your kind words. I will too be anxious every 3 months- but we try to live in the present....good luck to you as well.
best wishes
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Avatar universal
Hello there....I was diagnosed IC back in April of '05......I went through the chemo, just as your mom has done...after that I have seen my gyn every three months ..just now , two years out from diagnosis, I will be seeing him every 6 months.  My oncologist is the same.  My cancer was confined to my left ovary, but somehow malignant cells were found in the pelvic washing....my type cancer was "mucinous"....I agree with you that some of this gets confusing....I am grateful for being able to catch this monster as soon as we did....your mom caught hers quite early especially if both docs agree she could be classified IC....it is great she will get a ct every 3 months....all that being said....I have a 21 year old son who is mortified everytime I go in  for a checkup....my prognosis is quite good....so is your mom's.....nobody knows what tomorrow holds but today is here and now....I won't say I don't ever have fleeting moments of "man I hope this doesn't come back" but I don't dwell on it...the more that time passes the less those little moments of anxiety present....your mom will be the same....so will you.  You are a lucky young man...you still have your mom and it looks like she'll be around for awhile.....spend your time together celebrating what you have in the "here and now"....your question about the tumor rupture....your mom is lucky it didn't rupture befor the surgery....she is very lucky!  Your mom and I are both extremely lucky women...not only have we defeated monste for the time being....... we each have wonderful sons!  Congrats to your mom!
Peace.
dian
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