Fallopian Tube Cancer... 2nd Occurance, Post Debulking Surgery

[Mark4124]

My mother originally was diagnosed with Fallopian tube cancer in May of 2004. In the summer of that year she had a complete hysterectomy and 4 rounds of carbopaltin/taxol or taxotere. She did not tolerate the taxins well and had severe neropathy. This summer a tumor was discovered between her IVC/Aorta. It was removed last week in a 5hr surgery that required cutting the 5cm tumor from the IVC. Her current oncologist is recommending just radiation if biopsies elsewhere in the abdomen come back negative. Her one of her colleges feels chemo and then radiation would be more appropriate. I have to say that I am an advocate of the chemo approach as well as it seems more global in nature and would take care of the possiblity of distant metastisis which radiation would not address. My mother dreads chemo, but I wonder if an agent like gemzar with carbo would be better on the neropathy. What would you recommend in such a situation relative to radation and chemo?

[shewrites]

First, please note that Mark 4124 posted in November 2006.  He's not likely to see your question.  You might want to start fresh by "posting a question;"  see the top of the page.  

I know nothing about fallopian tube cancer, and I hope someone who does will come along soon.  Still, most of those who have cancer, even early stage, seem to have chemo or radiation to kill every last cancer cell that might be in one's system.  Cancer cells are your own cells that turn on you, so you want the baddies dead, don't you?  

Please insist that the doctors answer your questions until you are sure you understand.  No question is too dumb to ask.  Tell the doctor you need to be able to tell your children/friends/coworkers, etc. what you have and why you need the chemo.  If the doctor won't take the time to explain, you may need another doctor.  

Best of luck to you

[DrP6187]

Hi, I am new at this as I was diagnosed with Fallopian Tube Cancer on Apr 23rd 2009.  I had severe abdominal pain and went to the doctor and was told that my Fallopian Tubes were distended and full of infection so I had a total hysterectomy and thought all was done but they sent the tubes off and it came back cancer.  Now they are saying that I have to have chemo every 3 wks for 18 wks.  I dont understand why if they took my fallopian tubes why the chemo and not go back in and do the swab of my abdominal/organs for biopsies then if there is still cancer do the chemo.  Any comments

[Mark4124]

First time she was stage I, grade 2 out of 3. This is a recurrance though... If you were to stage it I would say IIIc

[nyc lady]

MArk, what stage is her cancer?  I have only come accross 2 other women with Fallopian Tube cancer and they were treated the same as someone with OvCa.  First line of defense is usually Taxol/Carbo...and then depending on the length between treatment and recurrence they try this same combo again as I believe it has the best results.  

I did not have to take chemo, I was very early staged but have many friends that are late stagers and most have been treated with Taxol/Carbo,  then Taxol/Carbo again depending on the rate of recurrence and whether or not they are platinum resistant, Gemzar (which I believe is now used less and less), Doxil, single agent Carbo and then various different methods of treatment.  

I do know of someone that had radiation for an OvCa recurrence and is once again in remission.  She did not have any chemo with the radiation.

I do not have personal experience to share, but, can share what I have researched and live thru with friends.