surgery done - now chemo

[LizT06]

Last April I had a large ovarian cyst with the tube removed.  It was benign.  A few months later I had similar symptoms and the ultasound showed another growth on the right side.  Thinking it would be benign again we waited 2 - 3 months to repeat the sonagram.  Since the sonagram showed growth and thickening surgery was scheduled right away - Oct. 24th.  I was diagnosed with stage 11c ovarian cancer.  This was fast and I am dealing with emotions that I am  not sure are related to surgery, cancer or lack of hormones - probably all of the above.  I am healing well and will go to the oncologist to discuss treatment.  

I have a couple questions - will chemo affect my LAH/BSO?  Will bioidentical hormones be appropriate or is estrogen not good for ovarian cancer?

I guess I am also looking for hope as well.  I am 46 and fairly fit - or I was until all of this.  I am ready to fight....

[maryann2]

Hi Liz,
Keep the positive attitude going. I am 57 and eight years ago I had a hysterectomy for
bleeding issues. After, when they did a biopsy they found a stage 1 -1a ovarian tumor.
I went through chemo - lost hair etc. Felt fine during chemo. My oncologist told me
not to go on any estrogen  = I have been find for the last 8 years. I did become hypothyroid
later  but no reoccurence. I had the total hysterectomy done.  The best to you.  I started
chemo 3 weeks after my hysterectomy.

[LizT06]

Thanks for your input.  I will question the estrogen receptor issue.  

Also wanted to edit my other question... will chemo affect my hysterectomy recovery?  Will it take longer if I start chemo sooner....?

[nyc lady]

I was dx'd stage 1A in 2000....kept my left ovary/tube which came out in 2004....was on HRT, first Premarin then Estrodial (which is considered bioidentical)...I developed an ovarian remnant cyst, we think and the doctors believe that hormones may have played a part in it...so I was hanked off immediately and I too was told to avoid even the over the counter supplements that are available as they "mimic estrogen".  

Like Becky said, usually OvCa is not hormone sensitive, but, is it worth the risk?  That is a conversation you need to have with your GYN/ONC and a decision you need to feel comfortable with.

I was 42 at the time that they took my remaining ovary....menopause has been  horrible, but, the for me, the options are worse.

[Tybear]

What a great attitude you have...keep that with you always. There will be low times and high times, but a positive, fighting attitude can take you far. I got diagnosed stage 3c over 2 years ago, and although I'm dealing with a recurrence right now, and the possibility of more surgery, I'm still here. That's all I care about. As for your questions, I would ask to have your tumors tested for estrogen receptors. Generally speaking, ovarian cancer is not hormone sensitive, but there are certain kinds that are - mine is, and I found this out after taking 1.25mg of Premarin for 9 months during and following my first round of chemo. I may never know if that's why my cancer came back so quick, but now that I know, I've been told to avoid all types of Estrogen, bio-identical or not. Trust me, that's been tough seeing as I'm only 28!
I don't know what esle to tell you except to ignore the statistics and fight like hell....there's lot's of support available to you here, so please, anytime you have a question, don't be afraid to ask.
Take care,
Becky