symptoms during a recurrance

[Conquerer]

I am 11 months out of chemo my last CA 125 was 2.8.  I was stage 3B and grade 2-3 and Braca 1.  Two things if this nasty beast rears its ugly face will I have symptoms leading up to the rise in my CA.  2nd I am trying to be on an estrogen blocker as it was estrogen positive, currently trying Arimidex as fumara  gave me too much pain have you tried these drugs right after chemo and with any luck.  We are also looking at it as preventive for breast cancer.  I am 54 years old and doing well.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

doctors have different follow up recs for CT scan. I personally check a scan once a eyar unless there is a question with an elevation in CA 125 or new symptom
take care

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Conquerer,

In general, with good screening with Ca 125 and scans, we usually pick up recurrences long before a person is having symptoms.

It is not uncommon to try an estrogen blocker as a maintenance therapy after treatment. this is commonly done for women who have experienced breast cancer and there is good data to show that this reduces recurrences in breast cancer. the data for ovarian cancer is not so clear.  There definitely are side effects to femara! Tamoxifen usually gives the least side effects but Arimidex may be OK as well.

For women with BRCA1 mutation, there is good information to suggest that a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy is the best risk reducing intervention.  You should meet with a breast oncologist to discuss the pros and cons of this.
best wishes to you!

[Conquerer]

PS  Dr.  also how often should a cat scan be done.  thanks