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Microscopic disease

wanttogetwellsoon
Posts: 147
Joined: Apr 2011

I went to see my consultant today to see about my serous papillary primary peritoneal for the three month scan results. She said that I had microscopic cells which were spread throughout the abdomen. I already knew that from the laparoscopy I had in May. Unfortunately, nothing can be seen on the CT scan so the medical team have no idea whether the carboplatin is working. My CA125 reading is normal (as it has been throughout) even though my cancer is advanced. In the end, she said that the only way to monitor me is to see how I feel. They have to work blind. I've been referred to the surgeons again to see if they want to have a look but she feels that they'll say the procedure is too risky. I also have some lesions on the liver and from a CT taken a few years ago, it seems that they have always remained the same in size. I was told that they are probably birth marks which a lot of people have. However, they seem to have reduced during this three month course of treatment, so if they are responding to the carboplatin, could they possibly be malignant too but not microscopic? Is it possible for the microscopic cells to transform into something else? It's probably not possible to answer, but it's just possible someone might know as there's a lot of experience here. :)

Tina Brown's picture
Tina Brown
Posts: 1056
Joined: Nov 2009

This is what my oncologist has said to me. I'm kind of the opposite way round to you. I have stage 4 PPC (mets to the lining of my lungs) but back in October last year my CA125 was 1,288 where my scan was clear. My oncologist was puzzled and put me back on chemo just to be safe. My abdomen was clear of fluid and all of my organs were healthy. I did develop fluid around my lungs though. After treatment, the fluid gone and my scan all clear but my CA125 is 116. So my oncologist will not put me on chemo again unless Iam feeling ill.

Sorry to hear about your liver but if they are not growing or spreading that has to be positive.

Sorry but I don't know the answer to your questions.

Tina x

wanttogetwellsoon
Posts: 147
Joined: Apr 2011