Just diagnosed Stage 3C Primary Ovarian SIgnet Cell adenocarcinoma

[mespir]

My sister-in-law has just been diagnosed with stage 3c Prmary Ovarian Signet Cell Adenocarcinoma. She underwent TABSHO, appendectomy, removal of the omentum last Wednesday. During explore lap, Gyne Oncologist said morphologically everything was normal even intraoperative frozen biopsy until final result did show multinodal involvement of the paraaortic and pelvic nodes and with ovarian rupture which made it Stage 3 C.

The week before, she underwent left salphingooophorectomy (right was normal) - this is when they saw the signet cells- however- her CT and endoscopy and colonoscopy were all normal and initially was thought-just stage 1C until this last Wednesday's Ovarian Staging Explore Lap and TABSHO (of what was left)-when they actually staged her as Stage 3 c.

Any advice for her maximum survival and recovery- she will start chemo next week- I heard of the intraperitoneal chemo for stage 3 ovarian CA- is this advisable- where will be the best second opinion place to go to for this type of cancer. She is only 37 y/o and has a 3 y/o and an 8 yo. My brother is so devastated and everyone in the family.

[Sunes]

Dear Mespir.
I am so sorry to hear about your sister in law  troubles.
There is an expert forum that would answer your question acurately(Dr Goodman). Looking at a luck of advise so far I think it will be wise to post it there. I myself do not know much about this type of cancer and I wuld not want to speculate.
I googled some of it but every case is different. Survival time is as long as the person fights and does not give up.
Hugs, Sunes.

[Julie*]

Dear Mespir,
I do not have ovarian cancer myself but my 2 SIL's are battling it right now.  One of them is also stage 3C and has just finished her chemo within the last month.  Right now her CA-125 is 5 and she has her first follow up PET scan in October.
She had 2 different types of chemo- She had intraperitoneal(IP) and IV chemo on alternating weeks with a rest week inbetween.  Her oncologist was insistent that she have IP chemo as he said it increased survival rates dramatically.  It was very hard- she ws admitted into the hospital for 3 days each time (which I believe is the standard) but she made it through.
I hope someone who has been through this chimes in for support as well.  I wish you and your family the best.  My SIL is 49 and the other one with OVCA is 47.  The BRCA II gene mutation runs in my DH's family.

All the best,
Julie

[nyc lady]

I know a stage 3C survivor going on 21 years this month.  There are people on the winning side of this battle...many of them.  
No one knows how much time anyone has left.  
As long as she feels well, she will keep figthing.  It is not an easy battle, but, remember that people do win.

Best of luck.
Pam

[junamgen]

Yes her dr is right. Following is tthe website you may want to get more inforamtion on IP chemo (gog172).  She is young and she will be fine.  I know there are a lot of women with 3C get cured.  IP and IV together is different, but she can do it if she is mentally prepared and have all the supports from family and friends.  I have doen is, so far so good.

This is the  site your SIL can come for suppoting.

http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/IntraperitonealQandA

Best wish

Peace and Love

jun

[berryterry]

I am quite a bit older than your sister in law but had always been healthy and strong.  I was diagnosed 5/07 with 3C primary peritoneal cancer and my son did some serious researching.  He said the American Cancer Institute has issued a recommentation that the use of IP chemo be used if the patient qualifies for it (good debulking surgery, general health, etc).  I did have the taxol/cisplatin IV/IP prococol and I can vouch for the fact that it is brutal.  Your SIL will definitely need help with the house and little ones.  I have had bowel surgery due to IP chemo.  However, a year later I am still in remission, my last CA 125 was 2.  Due to her youth and general health I would highly recommend this treatment if her doctor would agree to it.  I wish her the best of luck and I do know that chemo affects everyone differently and she may have an easier time with it than I did.  
Terry

[Conquerer]

I had 3 B  and there was no question i would get IV and IP   My treatments started with Iv Taxatere in the morning and IP Cisplatin that afternoon   The next week I had IP Taxol alone.   I waited 2 weeks and started again.  This was for three sessions   The last three I had IV taxatere in the AM  and Cisplatin in the PM  IP.  I didn't get sick although towards the end it was taking its toll on me.  I am 2 years out from surgery and 20 months out from chemo and my numbers are still good.   Good luck

Laurel