reoccurance

[tray92]

i recently had surgery on an eight pound tumor growing from my left ovary. the gyn/oncologist removed the left ovary and fallopian tube,and of course the tumor which was growing to the right side of my abdomen. the results from the pathologist came back as borderline ovarian cancer in turn they told me it means that there were malignant cells in the tumor. i am 30 yrs old with no children and they are suggesting i have a child soon if i want one(which i do) i sent the slides for a 2nd opinion and that pathologist is suggesting a full hysterectomy. my question is should i get pregnant? i did not need chemo because the cancer had not spread anywhere else. what are the chances in my case for reoccurance? if i can have a child, i want to asap, but is this a wise decision? the sugery was on sept.10 2008. i am very confused and i'm just looking for some kind of solid answer.can anyone answer my question? if so please help.      

[Sharon2714]

thats an awesome response .. i had stage 1C serous borderline cancer and had a total
hysterectomy ... of course i have always wanted more children (i am 43) but i felt it prudent to allow the doctors the ability to completely resect the disease during my surgery so that i would not be playing around with this and be around for my three children .. now having said that .. it is a heartwrenching and personal decision each one of us facing disease must deal with on their own with their doctors advice and input from their significant other ... the final decision is yours ... futhermore, it is rare for borderline tumors to recurr (but it does happen) it is also the most problematic in diagnosing ... at times certain frasnk malignancies have borderline tendencies and vis versa ... this is all just food for thought ... Depending on what you can afford, there are some fertility sparing methods that can be employed ... all of my doctor involved in my case have strongly recommended that my daughters complete their families by 35 and have their ovaries removed prophilactically even if there is no evidence of disease

May God Shower down His blessings on u and urs
Love
sharon

[JC145]

Written by Annekathryn Goodman, M.D. on the Expert forum .. just an FYI.  Judy




"For a real stage I ovarian cancer, it is the standard of care in the the gyn oncology community to spare the normal ovary and uterus. Now stage I diagnosis is arrived at by careful staging biopsies including biopsies of the lining of the abdomen from various areas of the pelvis, the right and left para-colic gutters (the areas lateral to the ascending and descending colon respectively), the right and left diaphragm. lymph nodes from the pelvic nodal chains and the aortic chain up by the kidneys (because that is where the ovarian blood vessels drain to.

As long as a comprehensive surgical staging is done, then we can be comfortable that the cancer is a stage I (confined to the ovary.) 20 percent of women with what appears to be stage I ovarian cancer, actually have a higher stage cancer when enough biopsies are taken.

The recommendation currently is to remove the uterus and other ovary and fallopian tube after you have completed your family.

The side effects of carboplatin last up to 2 weeks. After that period, it would be safe to try to get pregnant.

However, I would recommend meeting with a high risk perinatologist (obstetrician) for preconception counseling. At very least you should start on prenatal vitamins and folic acid as a prevention of neural tube defects.

best wishes

[Jan214]

I think you should check out the pregnancy forum and maybe the young mother's forums for ideas.  Perhaps some of them went through the same or similar choices.  It is not an easy decision to make. The one thing you want to be sure of, or as sure as can be is that you will be around to raise this child that you so desperately want.  I wrote a response the other day and did not post it because I didn't want to sound to negative, but... My mom died of this when I was 7, my littlest sister was 4.  She grew up calling someone else mom and our mother is only a picture in a photo album to her.  I don't know whether that is a shame or a blessing for her.  Your odds are much better than most people's with this but you don't want to do anything that would jeopardize your health either.  Kudos to the boyfriend for sticking around.  You wouldn't believe the number of guys who have just taken off when they heard the "C" word.  Good luck to you honey.  I hope you get to have a baby and good health.  My bottom line opinion is that if you do have a child, make them take everything out within 6 months of your delivery.  Yes, it will throw you into early menopause, but you just can't take chances with this incidious disease.
Jan

[tray92]

THANK YOU. I think i can get through this with all of you wonderful people to talk to

[tray92]

thank you for responding to my post. i am seeing my gyn/oncologist on 12/18/08 and if all is well hopefully my fiance and i will start trying. i wanted to be married first but i guess we all know things don't go as planned. i'm glad i can talk to people with similiar problems, my family and friends are very supportive but they can't understand my emotional state right now. i'm so scared and nervous and everything i think every emotion possible. again thank you for responding. it was nice for you to share your story with me.

[nyc lady]

I was diagnosed with stage 1A....had conservative surgery to save fertility.  I was told if I want kids to do it now, and not wait.  Unfortunately, I was not able to have children and within 3.5 years I had a complete hysterectomy.  
I had a few conversations with my GYN/Oncologist and then was sent to a fertility doctor.
It is a very personal and confusing choice....one that only you can make.  
Best of luck,
Pam

[mariebean]

Sorry, just to clarify, in stage 1 there is no difference in recurrence between the surgeries.  Thanks!

Marie

[mariebean]

I know you must be really nervous and confused right now!  Just keep breathing and take one thing at a time every day.  I am stage 1 and had conservative surgery (right ovary and tube removed).  I am undergoing chemo now and 6 months after I finish we will try for a baby. Stage 1 has only a 10 percent rate of recurrence, I count my blessings each and every day.  Right now, there does not seem to be a difference in recurrence in women who have conservative surgery or hysterectomy.  Despite this, my doctor has told me that I should have a complete hysterectomy after childbirth.  It really depends on what you are comfortable with and what your doctor believes is safe.  I didn't read in your post, what stage are you?  Have you talked treatment with your doctor yet?    I know this is so confusing and you have to make quick choices, ones you thought you would have the luxury of time to make. If you ever need anyone to talk to, please feel free to email me.  Take care.

Marie

[JC145]

I wish I could help you.  This is a decision that only you can make for yourself.  You will need to do some serious research and perhaps get yet another opinion from a doctor .. preferably a GYN/ONC.  I wish you good luck with your research.  Judy

[Sunes]

I agree with Belle10. Be patient or try Expert Forum to post your question there.

[belle10]

Their are so many women on here that can share their experiences.

They will reply.