UPSC: applicable findings from ovarian cancer research

janeforpauline said:

Ovarian cancer and UPSC
I think your observation is right in target. I recently moved so all of my care is handled out of a facility closer to my new home and the first thing my new oncologist said to me was that UPSC was similar to ovarian cancer and an aggressive one at that so he treats his UPSC patients similar to his ovarian cancer patients and follows-up every two months with a full breast, uterus, lymph node checks and blood work.
Can you refer me to some of the latest research On ovarian cancer and adjunct treatments? Anything other than chemo would be such a godsend!
Cheers,
Pauline

Hi Pauline, so sorry you are
Hi Pauline, so sorry you are dealing with breast cancer as well as possible UPSC recurrence. I also have experience with both and every possible recurrence requires determining breast vs. UPSC. Even my UPSC had a differential diag of UPSC vs Ovarian (no cancer within the uterus). You will need to know more about each of your cancers - hormone receptor (ER, PR) positive or negative, HER2-neu, as well as a variety of other factors that are usually part of path report. As well, due to having both cancers, genetic factors such as testing for the BRCA genetic abnormaility should be done. These results can be determining factors in your potential treatment options. There are hormone-blocking treatments such as Megace or Tamoxifen which can control cancer. Then there are many complementary treatments, such as IV Vit C that many have used. Anti-cancer A New Way of Life can provide many insights that you may find helpful in creating an anti-cancer environment in body and mind. I was diagnosed Stage 2B breast cancer in '93, recurred in '99 and became Stage 4. It's been nearly 4 years since my UPSC Stage 4B diagnosis and I have been dealing with recurrences for 2 years.

I try to keep up with the latest studies being published in the Oncology journals which mainly reference chemotherapy treatments - either new drugs or new ways of delivering or combining drugs to improve results. Many of these get posted on this or on the Ovarian board and could be found using the search feature. Unfortunately, i have found that this is necessary in order to proactively pursue what I believe to be my best treatment options while always considering quality of life issues.
Annie

RoseyR said:

Yes, WE must infer, and show, applications to our own cancer

Having seen the proclamation by MD Anderson's head of gynecology oncology that weekly doses of taxol had proven most effective for ovarian cancer, I asked my onc if our large urban treatment center (HUP) was yet using this protocol.

"Oh, that's just for ovarian cancer," she patly said.

Yet a close reading of the article showed him concluding that was was SIGNIFICANT was the implications these findings held for uterine cancer as well.

I left discouraged with her usual cavalier response to new information--and wonder whether any of us on this board diagnosed with MMMT (uterine carcinosarcoma) suspect that the new protocol might work better for us, as well. (If taxol was more effective for ONE kind of cancer administered weekly rather than once every three weeks, might it not be more effective for SEVERAL kinds of gynecological cancer? Would it not at least be worth a try?

I recently read in "The Empowered Patient" that large research centers are wedded to strict treatment protocols whereas oncologists in private practice are much more able to be flexible and to try cutting-edge treatments.

Any comments?

Thanks,
Rosey

Maybe you need a different oncologist
Dear Rosey R

I would look for another oncologist. It's your life not hers. Don't you just wonder what she would do if she were in your shoes?

Carolen