question

[palla1976]

Hi,

My name is Palla.  My mom is 57 years old and is suffering from ovarian cancer stage 3.  She has undergone surgery, and has been recommended 8 sessions of chemotherapy.  A combination of IP(Interperatinial) & IV(intravenous).  She  has had 3 IV sessions already with minimal side effects.  She has not yet started her IP treatment.  Her CA125 levels have decreased since the start of her IV chemotherapy.

I have three questions.

My first question is: What is the prognosis of IP treatment?  I have read many articles that side effects are more than IV, such as fever, fatigue, infection, abdominal pain and also problems with the IP port itself, such as clogging and failing to function.  However,  I have also read that the survival rate can be increased through IP treatment.  What is your opinion on this?

My second question is: Can ovarian cancer spread to other parts of the body?  We have been told that usually ovarian cancer does not spread to other parts of the body.  

My third question is: Is ovarian cancer curable?  Do you know of any cases when women have had treatment, and then been cancer free?

[marie3B]

I had I/P chemo. I have stage 3b ovca. I was told that I/P can extend the life expectancy by an average of 5-6 months. I was also told not to pay attention to life expectancy stats as we all respond in our own way.

Many on I/P chemo are not able to take all I/P treatments. Sometimes the I/P port will become infected or clogged.  Sometimes the patient just cannot tolerate the I/P treatment. It does cause increased toxicity in many, but they monitor you for that. I did take all of my I/P treatments.

My side-effects were decreased significantly by the pre-meds they give and with the anti-nausea drugs. I did not feel good, but I was able to tolerate it. I did have abdominal pain, especially after the taxol. The first 2 I/P treatment caused the most abdominal pain. It would get better after a day or 2. The cisplatin damages the kidneys so that I will have to take a magnesium supplement indefinitely. That is a small price to pay for a chance to live longer. I also have some nerve damage in my hands annd feet. That too is tolerable.

I was diagnosed 9 months ago. I did not get a full remission. My cancer is not as sensitive to platinum chemo as some. My cancer is stable though. I am thankful for that.

I wish your mother the best possible outcome. There are many women that live well for many years. This forum has been a help to me and I hope we can also help you and your mom. I will be thinking of you both, Marie

[puppyluve]

Hi Palla.

I have been doing some reading on IP therapy and have read many good things. It is primarily effective if the cancer has not spread beyond the abdominal cavity. If it is past that then it is not generally recommended. Otherwise it is thought to be very effective.

As far as cancer spreading... the very diagnosis that she is 3c says that yes it has spread to other parts of her body besides the ovaries. It can spread to the liver, colon, kidneys, stomach, diapraghm, lungs and in very rare cases brain.

As to whether cancer is curable...it generally will go into something called a remission because generally they do not say you are cured. HOWEVER there are people who enter remission and it never comes back...although it is rare. There are ways to live with it though and live a long time. There are some cases I have read about and some people who have been on here that have outlived and stupid statistics doctors spout. I think the thing that the survivors I have read about all have in common is attitude. They refuse to lay down the fight. I think that helping her keep a positive attitude is the best thing for her.

Good luck.

[kismetfarm]

Hi Palla

I don't know all your answers sorry. But I do have some part answers (or opinions)

I have read probably the same things you are reading that IP treatment increases the survival time.

Ovarian cancer can spread to other parts of the body, lung mets are fairly common I think and other places are possible.

Ovarian Cancer is certainly curable - just not in all cases.  A certain percentage of women will have the first treatments and be cancer free until they die of something else.  Sadly that isn't nearly common enough and I would guess while it is certainly something to hope for I think you could be badly disappointed if you expected it.  But people can certainly have a long life after an ovarian cancer diagnosis :-)

Good luck to your Mom - sounds like she is going well