prognosis for my mum

[max1989]

My mu had a full hysterectomy about 7 months ago and was diagnosed with 1C ovarian cancer. Now the definition of this is, i understand, that the cancer was not encapsulated, and that there was some cancer in the acitic (sp.?) fluid, after the removal. She had a 6x taxol and carboplatin treatment. Now its then statistics that we are left to deal with! Her oncologist said that something along the lines that the surgery does 70-80% of the job, and the implication was that that gives her 70-80% 5-year survival rate. He said the the chemo gives ANOTHER 7-9% chance on top. Now this all sounds great, and meshes more or less with the survival stats for this stage of 80-90%. But, my question is that, if the stage is that there was cancer in the acitic fluid, and this obviously was not removed during surgery, surely the 70-80% of the surgery is nullified because there are cells still left? Does this mean that her only chance is now the 7-9% of the chemo? I hope you can see my logic. Replies appreciated.

[Borgs]

Max, think my mom is in a similar situation.  She had her path reports read today.  Relatively speaking, good news I guess- stage II.  Cancer was in both ovaries, with no spread anywhere else, and surprisingly, no cancer in the 4 liters of ascites removed.  Doctor said she was very fortunate in that it was found in a relatively early stage.  She had a partial hysterectomy and tubal about 20 years ago so I guess she was fortunate there were no other organs in which it could have spread.  She will be talking about chemo at her next appointment next week.  Thoughts?      

[rootietootie]

I see what you mean also, and it is a good question, but I dont believe that ascites counts as cancer that has spread.  It is not growing in another place.  Does that make sense? I do see your point about it being in there and it does contain cancer cells, but perhaps it is different since it isn't tissue and it can dry up.  I would ask your moms doctor about this.  It might be one of those questions that doctors dont know how to answer.  (hate those)  Good luck and god bless you and your mother.  Shannon

[MickeyVickiNumber1]

The chemotherapy is intended to kill the remaining cancer cells, whereever these cancer cells might be in your mother's body.  So, no, having cancer cells remaining in the ascites does NOT nullify the excellent results of her surgery.   His comment on the surgery doing "70 to 80 percent of the job" means only that the chemotherapy is intended do the rest of the job.  

As for her survival rate, if the general survival statistics are 80 to 90 percent, then those are her odds for now.  Should she fail to have results from the chemotherapy, then her personal survival chances would begin to drop until the doctor finds a regimen that works for her.   Those are great odds, by the way.  

[msjazz]

I see what you mean, but i don't think thats her stats. Her dr. is saying overall everything considered her survival is 80-90. just always keep a good check on her, i met a lady in remission 10 yrs,  that hadn t checked last five yrs. that recurred. i am sorry she had cancer, but really good it was found early. not usually the case, i was 3c, already recurred 7 months later. best wishes