Low grade serous cancer

Bohunter58
Bohunter58 Member Posts: 1
in Ovarian Cancer #1

Hi Folks,

My wife is 59 and  has been diagnosed with recurrent metastatic low grade serous ovarian cancer.  She had borderline ovarian cancer 38 years ago and ended up with congestive heart failure (cardiomyopthy) due to the chemo treatments in 1979.  It is my understanding that this low grade cancer is very chemo resistant.  Her doctor indicated she would not be cured, of this but they can treat the disease.  She also thought she could survive another 10 years with continued treatments.  Are there any long term survivors out there with the same cardio issues and recurrent cancer?   Please share your stories.

Thanks

Steve

 

 

 

Comments

  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    edited December 2016 #2
    Low Grade

    Hi Steve,

    I can't speak from personal experience about your wife's situation, but I know some women who have been dealing with low grade serous for years and generally they don't need to do chemo as long as they take exceptional care of their bodies.  These women have worked under the guidance of a naturopath who specializes in oncology.  They have a specific diet they follow, take supplements to address their own personal imbalances, exercise and manage their stress.  I also have adopted these practices and they are working quite well for me.  The only advice I can give is to find someone like this to address your wife's overall health.  It is true that low grade doesn't tend to respond well to chemo drugs because the cells are slower growing and chemo targets fast growing cells.  Good luck.

  • Jhd2u
    Jhd2u Member Posts: 12
    #3
    LGSC

    Hi Steve,

    I was diagnosed with grade IIIC low grade serous carcinoma two years ago and while I am not a long term survivor I can at least share my experience and what my doctor has told me.   I did do three months of taxol/carboplatin but it didn't do anything.  I had optimal debulking surgery then started on Lotepro, anti-estrogen hormone therapy. It worked for 3 months then there was tumor growth.  I switched to Megestrol (different hormone therapy).  It worked for 6 months then 2of 3 tumors grew.  He said the cancer evolves resistance to the drugs after a time.  He now has me on Doxil, a chemotherapy. I asked why since the cancer is chemoresistant.... he said that while chemo doesn't "work" in the traditional sense (killing the cancer), our goal is "stable disease" I.E. no growth and he is hoping the chemo will at least disrupt new growth.   The strategy is slow it down and when it gets too big and is interfering with some bodily function, do surgery to remove what you can.  The 5 year survival rate for this form of OC is good, and yes, 10 years is doable.  

    Hope this helps.  

  • Rhysmcc
    Rhysmcc Member Posts: 1
    #4
    Serous Carcinoma Stage 4, low grade

    It took months of tests, and finally minor surgery to be diagnosed with this form of cancer. My doctor at Sloan Kettering suggested major surgery. I went for second opinions, including Dr. Gershenson at MD Anderson in Houston, who is a specialist in this cancer. He also suggested surgery, followed by anti-estrogen drugs, no chemo.

    Speaking of chemo, the Taxo/carboplatin was very effective and shrank my tumors. I was on it every week for 9 weeks.

    The surgery removed quite a bit, including part of my pancreas, a bowel resection, a hysterectomy and anything else that looked suspicious. The surgeon said he re-set my clock. He also said that Serous Carcinoma, Low Grade is so slow moving that even if it returned, it would take years to be of any concern. I have had no problems with the anti-estrogen drugs but make certain I walk every day to avoid osteoporosis.

    My surgeon said the possibility of long term survival is very good for me. I hope this will be true for others as well. One of the benefits of seeking second opinions is that the specialist and my surgeon were in frequent communication about my case, and tissue samples were sent to the specialist for his database. Dr. Gershenson is working on several different approaches to treating this cancer, so it would be good to contact him and possibly take part in treatment

  • Jhd2u
    Jhd2u Member Posts: 12
    #5
    Rhysmcc said:

    Serous Carcinoma Stage 4, low grade

    It took months of tests, and finally minor surgery to be diagnosed with this form of cancer. My doctor at Sloan Kettering suggested major surgery. I went for second opinions, including Dr. Gershenson at MD Anderson in Houston, who is a specialist in this cancer. He also suggested surgery, followed by anti-estrogen drugs, no chemo.

    Speaking of chemo, the Taxo/carboplatin was very effective and shrank my tumors. I was on it every week for 9 weeks.

    The surgery removed quite a bit, including part of my pancreas, a bowel resection, a hysterectomy and anything else that looked suspicious. The surgeon said he re-set my clock. He also said that Serous Carcinoma, Low Grade is so slow moving that even if it returned, it would take years to be of any concern. I have had no problems with the anti-estrogen drugs but make certain I walk every day to avoid osteoporosis.

    My surgeon said the possibility of long term survival is very good for me. I hope this will be true for others as well. One of the benefits of seeking second opinions is that the specialist and my surgeon were in frequent communication about my case, and tissue samples were sent to the specialist for his database. Dr. Gershenson is working on several different approaches to treating this cancer, so it would be good to contact him and possibly take part in treatment

    Unfortunately, Dr. Gersheson

    Unfortunately, Dr. Gersheson retired 8/2015.   He still checks in and I think may do some behind the scenes work.  I am being treated at MDACC and had hoped to have the benefit of his experience.  

  • faithmaya
    faithmaya Member Posts: 1
    #6
    Tethys41 said:

    Low Grade

    Hi Steve,

    I can't speak from personal experience about your wife's situation, but I know some women who have been dealing with low grade serous for years and generally they don't need to do chemo as long as they take exceptional care of their bodies.  These women have worked under the guidance of a naturopath who specializes in oncology.  They have a specific diet they follow, take supplements to address their own personal imbalances, exercise and manage their stress.  I also have adopted these practices and they are working quite well for me.  The only advice I can give is to find someone like this to address your wife's overall health.  It is true that low grade doesn't tend to respond well to chemo drugs because the cells are slower growing and chemo targets fast growing cells.  Good luck.

    low grade

    hello there , quite happy to read your post as i was diagonised with low grade  cancer last year however i refused chemo and went all natural , I am looking for a good naturopath and wondering if we can connect . I  follow a strict diet and do various supplemements . I come from a region where doctors dont know much hence would like to learn from others 

  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    edited May 2017 #7
    faithmaya said:

    low grade

    hello there , quite happy to read your post as i was diagonised with low grade  cancer last year however i refused chemo and went all natural , I am looking for a good naturopath and wondering if we can connect . I  follow a strict diet and do various supplemements . I come from a region where doctors dont know much hence would like to learn from others 

    Email

    Hi Faithmaya,

    I sent you a private message on your CSN Email

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