help needed

[melenzbee83]

Hi ladies,
just wondering if anyone out there has Stage IIIA grade 1 ovarian cancer? not sure what to expect or what i am in for. have pelvic clearance next wednesday then start chemotheoropy after that.

Not really sure how i feel about it all yet, still in shock.


Mel

[nyc lady]

Good luck Mel...we will be thinking about you!!!!

Pam

[Tybear]

Good luck Mel...I know everything will go well :)
I'll be waiting to hear good news when you get home, ok?
Take care,
Becky

[melenzbee83]

hey ladies,
on way to hospital for pelvic clearance so will be back online in two weeks, if anyone has any advice on chemo please feel free to share.

Mel

[melenzbee83]

Thanks Becky,

will talk to specilaist about everything you have raised. so if my tumours respond to estrogen are you saying it is dangerous to do HRT? See thats another thing i have to consider whether i take HRT or not and the possible consequences.

[Tybear]

I wouldn't "not" do chemo...even knowing what I know about grade one cancers, I've began 5 different courses of chemo over the last 3 years. The only one I really had luck with, wasn't really "chemo" at all...that was Avastin.
I only mentioned about the estrogen because if they're taking your remaining ovary, they may suggest hormone replacement to you. Knowing that your tumors are positive for estrogen is valuable...I guess I just have learned (the hard way, of course) that doctor's don't always know best. Talk to your doctors about this before you start taking any kind of HRT...
It's very frustrating because so many people tend to think that grade one means a better outcome. The truth is that we face all the same challenges as someone with a grade three cancer except we have less options to choose from (treatment wise) and there's so much less research done on our types of cancer.
What about having your tumors tested to find out which chemo they would be more likely to respond to? I read an article once that said my type (MPSC) was least likely to respond to Taxol/carbo and most likely to respond to Etoposide. I think it's called a tumor assay (?).
I'm not sure what else to tell you...I would just spend some time Googling this and make a list of questions for your doctor for after your surgery.
Don't stress too much about this...you should be relaxing right now :)
Take care,
Becky

[melenzbee83]

Hi becky,
All i know is 3 years ago i was diagnosed with LMP borderline tumour with non-invasive implants. Recently they have discovered a mass on my left ovary and other nodules which have changed histology and are now considered grade 1 invasive. Im so confused, i was sure that once it was invasive that chemo was neccessary? Also why do i need it tested for estrogen receptors? (I had this done when it was borderline and it tested positive) Do i go on HRT?

[Tybear]

Hey Mel...
I have stage 3c, Grade 1...something called Micropapillary Serous Carcinoma (MPSC). It's a very hard cancer to treat because grade one cancers don't normally respond to typical chemotherapy. I'm so glad your having surgery because that is how our slow growing cancers should be managed - not with chemo.
I met with a new surgeon yesterday who finally agreed with me - I've been waiting for over 2 years to find a surgeon who wants to do surgery!! I keep getting thrown into the ovarian cancer group when, in reality, I have a totally different type of ovarian cancer than the norm.
I would really recommend getting a copy of your pathology reports to find out, specifically, what TYPE of ovarian cancer you have...you may find through research that the protocol's are different for treating whatever type you have. I would also strongly recommend you have your tumors tested for estrogen receptors before your doctors suggest you be put on HRT or something.
I'm not saying not to do chemo...but definatley do your research.
Take care,
Becky