2nd Recurrence in Isolated Lymph nodes(coeliac region) in Clear cell Ovarian cancer

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indrasis
indrasis Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
My mom under went total hysterectomy with partial omentectomy in March 2006. When her CA 125 was 46.8.
Biopsy 1
Biopsy report revelaed 'CLEAR CELL' carcinoma of left ovary along with cervex.
Chemo:
Received 6 cycles of Cisplatin(300)+Taxol (60) upto September 2006.
CA 125 showed gradual decrease and remained stable from September 06 to in April 2007.CA 125 in April 2007=11.4.
In Dec 07(After 21 months) she was diagonised with an Omental cake of 3.17x2.7cm. Infracolic omentectomy done in January 08.
Biopsy 2:
Peretoneal washing showed no malignancies.but omental cake showed infiltrating malignant cells.
CA 125 came down to 22.4 in February 08.
Chemo 2:
4 cycles of lipodox(doxrubicin) and cyclophosphamide and 2 cycles of 5FU(Oral).
Again in September 08 her CA 125 showed increase to 128. And CT scan revealed only One 3.17x2.44Cm Retroperetonial coeliac node and after 3 months as doctor did not want to treat her based on 1 enlarged node she was found with another 2 small nodes in the same area (Anterior to AORTA) with Elevated CA-125 to 536.

She is now being treated with GEM+CARBO (1,2 and 8th day).1st cycle.

My questions are
1) Can we ensure the disease is slow progressing and can be controlled only by Giving Chemo-(As stated by few doctors)?
Is there anyone to help who is known to have handled same kind of isolated recurrence only by chemotherapy or radiation at least without Lymph node dissection (As my mom is not interested for surgery again).
2) What is the progress rate of the disease as it is always recurring in an isolated and single place and is one enlarged lymph node a better recureence than leisons or soft tissue mass?

Waiting for your kind information and suggestion.

Comments

  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #2
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    Hugs
    I don't have the answers for you, but wanted to leave you a hug along with prayers. I can feel the anxieties and worries in your post.

    I do have friends where the cancer is in the lymph nodes and they are just doing chemo. I have cancer in nodes and lots of inplants. Each person is so different and I doubt anyone, even the docs, have all the answers you are looking for. Definitely take these questions with to the oncologist and get their replies.

    Lifting you and your mom in prayer. Bonnie
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #3
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    No answers
    All of us are different and have different paths of treatment and times of the beast coming back. I treat my OVCA as a chronic disease with good days and some not so good. Saundra
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #4
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    HUGS & PRAYERS ALSO
    I wish that I could answer your questions, but as the other ladies said, we are all so different as is our circumstances. You are so proactive with your mother and her situation. How blessed she is! I believe your care and concern in itself will see her (and you) through this. As you will find on this site, there are many, many women who have been through this several times, and some who are still dealing with this on a daily basis. There are many options, and MUCH hope. Let us know if there are other ways we can help. And let us know how your Mom is doing.

    In the meantime, sending lots of Hugs and Prayers.

    Monika
  • green50
    green50 Member Posts: 312
    #5
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    Ask Dr.
    My cancer is in my lymphnodes and seems to stay in those but has spread some to other lymphnodes. I am a 6 and half year survivor and I take chemo then have breaks, chemo shrinks them. but as Bonnie says we are all different. Some people can tolerate some things such as chemicals and whatever else gives others cancer same with what stage, or what cures some doesn't others. I HAVE heard of a woman who had ovarian it came back the second time and now she is cured at least its been 10 years with no reaccurance. Progress is different for different ones. Mine is slow it seems. The Dr will be the best to answer your questions, I WISH your Mother well and also I know of 2 people who have taken chemo off and on for 13 years and are still with us. They have new drugs and test drugs all the time. There is always hope for the cure and the longer we can keep our selves going the more hope for that cure.
    Prayers to all as always
    Sandy
  • MsEddie
    MsEddie Member Posts: 9
    #6
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    Non-surgical case
    I am a 3 yr survivor (stage IV) and have NEVER had surgery for my cancer. My doctors & cat scans said I don't have s single large tumor, but my ovaries have disintegrated and I have a lot of little metastases, mostly on my peritoneum. Surgery would probably just spread them around further. I also have an enlarged lymph node that came with my recurrence.

    I have heard that there are many cases that are treated with chemo only and survival rates are about the same as for surgical treatment. I guess it all depends on the exact symptoms.

    Best wishes to you and your mother. I know that having a family member (my sister) as an advocate really helps in dealing with it all.

    Edwina
  • newhopechurchli
    newhopechurchli Member Posts: 126
    #7
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    MsEddie said:

    Non-surgical case
    I am a 3 yr survivor (stage IV) and have NEVER had surgery for my cancer. My doctors & cat scans said I don't have s single large tumor, but my ovaries have disintegrated and I have a lot of little metastases, mostly on my peritoneum. Surgery would probably just spread them around further. I also have an enlarged lymph node that came with my recurrence.

    I have heard that there are many cases that are treated with chemo only and survival rates are about the same as for surgical treatment. I guess it all depends on the exact symptoms.

    Best wishes to you and your mother. I know that having a family member (my sister) as an advocate really helps in dealing with it all.

    Edwina

    Staging?
    When your mom had her surgery - did they do a complete staging process? It sounds to me like they did not remove all of the "typical" things done in a staging process. Which would have included her entire omentum, appendix and her lymph nodes as well as all female reproductive organs. I am just curious as to why they would leave in half of the omentum!?
    But as all the other women have stated - don't be discouraged... everyone's situation is different and your mom can live many beautiful and full years.
    God Bless You
  • indrasis
    indrasis Member Posts: 3
    #8
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    Sharp drop in CA125
    Her CA 125 has come down to 139 from 537 after 2 cycles of chemo therapy with Carbo+Gemzar. It seems it is working. Do we need to continue chemotherapy ? But doctor is asking us to decide as she has absolutely no problem and leading a very normal life and he would go longterm oral dose instead. but we seeing the drop of CA 125 have decided for another.
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #9
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    indrasis said:

    Sharp drop in CA125
    Her CA 125 has come down to 139 from 537 after 2 cycles of chemo therapy with Carbo+Gemzar. It seems it is working. Do we need to continue chemotherapy ? But doctor is asking us to decide as she has absolutely no problem and leading a very normal life and he would go longterm oral dose instead. but we seeing the drop of CA 125 have decided for another.

    My opinon
    I would go the chemo route until the CA125 was below 21 and CT scan and physical was clear. That is just my two cents. (((HUGS))) Saundra
  • JanQ
    JanQ Member Posts: 236
    #10
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    saundra said:

    My opinon
    I would go the chemo route until the CA125 was below 21 and CT scan and physical was clear. That is just my two cents. (((HUGS))) Saundra

    That 2 cents sounds good to
    That 2 cents sounds good to me :)
    You are in my prayers and I hope you can come to the right decisions. It can be so hard.
    I am getting away to the mountains for spring break with my bible and figure out what me the Lord are going to do!
  • green50
    green50 Member Posts: 312
    #11
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    JanQ said:

    That 2 cents sounds good to
    That 2 cents sounds good to me :)
    You are in my prayers and I hope you can come to the right decisions. It can be so hard.
    I am getting away to the mountains for spring break with my bible and figure out what me the Lord are going to do!

    Sounds Good
    I am going to take a couple short getaways too. Chemo or no chemo I will take the advice of my Dr and do what I can do and go on some kind of getaways. I have close friend who understands how I get tired and have to take breaks. But I will do something this year.
    Prayers and HUgs
    Sandy
  • indrasis
    indrasis Member Posts: 3
    #12
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    Decision is a big problem :-)
    Thank you very much all who really answered my concerns with all their best effort. Yes decision making is very difficult in this condition. Papers suggest that isolated Lymph node recurrence has a better prognosis if surgery is done and there are also evidences that chemo can alone put you under longer remission.

    Surgery means lot of pain, anxiety, tension and post opn complications and high risk is involved of getting the Cancer back again.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #13
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