Metastatic Adeno Carcinoma - Please Help

shugu12

My mum had a hysterectomy in 2008.She had complained about heavy bleeding during her periods. On diagnosis we found there was a fibroid growth in the uterus. The gynecologist suggested to remove the uterus and the ovaries. After the hysterectomy,the fibroid was given for biopsy which resulted to be negative for malignancy test. In April 2011 she developed the symptoms of severe back ache and loose motion. On diagnosis we got to know about the metastatic Adenocarcinoma. The primary was unknown and still is. But the doctors are suspecting it as ovarian cancer.She has undergone 6 cycles of chemotherapy( paclitaxil + carboplatin).She had CA-125 level up to 310 which got increased up to 698 after the first cycle of chemo. From there it got down to 63 after 6 cycles of chemo. Currently she is on oral Chemotherapy(Xeloda - 500mg). After 6 cycles of chemo the latest PET CT scan shows metastasis to bilateral pelvic lymph nodes, retro peritoneal lymph nodes,right retrocrural lymph node, omen-tum and left adrenal gland. Doctors are not sure of the surgery.If the surgery will help her.If they are able to remove the lumps completely. They say they will try to keep very less residue in the body.As in, they will try to remove as much as they can. But they are not sure if they are able to completely remove it or not. I don't know what to do. Can't figure out what is the right decision. They say it is an inter-operative decision. I don't want the doctors to open up her abdomen and decide to back out and close it back again. They say even that might be the case. I Can't afford to give her more pain. She is already in pain. She has lot burning sensation in the stomach now. Anybody who knows anything about this please help me.Any info you guys have might help me. Please Kindly Reply. God Bless All.

Tethys41

Surgery
Sorry to hear about your mom's situation. Is the surgeon she is talking with a gynecological oncologist? This is they type of specialist she needs to do the surgery. This sounds like a typical debulking surgery, where the doctor goes in and removes as much visible tumor as possible. This is the standard initial surgery for an ovarian cancer diagnosis. The results of the surgery are classified as either optimal or suboptimal. If they are able to remove all the tumors 1 cm or larger, it is considered optimal. If tumors of 1 cm or larger remain, it is considered suboptimal. Either way, it is typically the first step in treating the disease. After the surgery, the chemotherapies are aimed at eliminating the remaining tumor.
My debulking was considered suboptimal, yet I acheived remission with chemotherapy. I hope this information is helpful.
All the best to you and your mom.

azgrandma

Tethys41 said:

Surgery
Sorry to hear about your mom's situation. Is the surgeon she is talking with a gynecological oncologist? This is they type of specialist she needs to do the surgery. This sounds like a typical debulking surgery, where the doctor goes in and removes as much visible tumor as possible. This is the standard initial surgery for an ovarian cancer diagnosis. The results of the surgery are classified as either optimal or suboptimal. If they are able to remove all the tumors 1 cm or larger, it is considered optimal. If tumors of 1 cm or larger remain, it is considered suboptimal. Either way, it is typically the first step in treating the disease. After the surgery, the chemotherapies are aimed at eliminating the remaining tumor.
My debulking was considered suboptimal, yet I acheived remission with chemotherapy. I hope this information is helpful.
All the best to you and your mom.

god bless
god bless you and your mom honey

Cafewoman53

Is her dr a gyn/oncologist?
There are studies that say people who have their surgery done by a gyn/onc have better outcomes. Good luck
Colleen

kikz

Cafewoman53 said:

Is her dr a gyn/oncologist?
There are studies that say people who have their surgery done by a gyn/onc have better outcomes. Good luck
Colleen

I am sorry
for what you and your mom are going through. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen

shugu12

Tethys41 said:

Surgery
Sorry to hear about your mom's situation. Is the surgeon she is talking with a gynecological oncologist? This is they type of specialist she needs to do the surgery. This sounds like a typical debulking surgery, where the doctor goes in and removes as much visible tumor as possible. This is the standard initial surgery for an ovarian cancer diagnosis. The results of the surgery are classified as either optimal or suboptimal. If they are able to remove all the tumors 1 cm or larger, it is considered optimal. If tumors of 1 cm or larger remain, it is considered suboptimal. Either way, it is typically the first step in treating the disease. After the surgery, the chemotherapies are aimed at eliminating the remaining tumor.
My debulking was considered suboptimal, yet I acheived remission with chemotherapy. I hope this information is helpful.
All the best to you and your mom.

Surgery
Thank you all for your prayers.We really need it.

Tethys41/Colleen,
Yes we consulted a Gynac/Onco surgeon. And He said that the surgery can be done. The surgery is mainly Debulking. And like you said they will try to remove the maximum number of tumors possible. But chances are also that they will open her abodomen and decide to back out and close it back again. The Medical Oncologist who had given her the chemo says that it is very likely that they will decide to back out because her PET CT Scan Reports shows that she is not a very good sugical candidate. He is suggesting on a second round of chemo, this time with a different drug. The drug is Lipodox - liposomal doxorubicin. Still not sure if everything is going to be ok after this chemo.

LaundryQueen

kikz said:

I am sorry
for what you and your mom are going through. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen

Sending prayers for your
Sending prayers for your mother--may the best treatment be chosen. God bless both of you.