What chemo Uterus(clear+serous)?

annabel_heath
annabel_heath Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine) #1
In august 2003 I was fainting from loss of blood (long periods) . Had surgery to remove Uterus cancer (clear cell and serous cell type carcinoma)stage 2 or 3(invaded cervix) by full hysterectomy. I had 3 lots of chemo carboplatin/epirubisin, then 6 weeks radiation treatment followed by 3 more lots of carboplatin/epirubisin . CA 125 was 50 after surgery decreased to 30 after first chemo then went up to 58 before radiation treatment. After radiation treatment took it down to 14. However final 3 lots of chemo (chemoscarboplatin/epirubisin) increased to 140. I had to have a second surgery to remove 2cm secondary under left hip bone and removal of omentum in june 2004. My CA 125 a little over 2 months ago was back at 80. I am afraid to have another CA 125 test as I am told by doctors that it will probably go up again and that the cancer although not visible at macro level is still there at the molecular level.Doctors say it is just a matter of time(i.e. months) before it shows up on CT scan when CA 125 increases.

CA 125 (cancer antigen 125) should be less than 30. Doctors do not recommend any further treatment until cancer returns on CT scan. Anyone know what other chemo I should try to lower my CA 125. With ovarian cancer with clear and serous cell type same carboplatin/epirubisin and taxol combination is used and usually the CA 125 goes down from hundreds to less than 10. However no successful scientific studies have shown carboplatin/epirubisin on clear and serous cell Uterus cancer is successful.Doctors say not many or any studies have been done on this type of cancer as very rare(less 5% of women who get uterus cancer have either the clear or serous cell type, both very aggressive cancers). Most common Uterus cancer(different cell types to mine) has a survival of 80% or more over 5 year period. However my cell type (clear + serous) has a survival rate over 5 years of less than 5% as my cancer is very aggressive. Does anyone know of other chemo I can try? Maybe Taxol? I am only 46 years old with three children aged 18, 16 and 15 and a loving husband that need me alive

Comments

  • ladybug626
    ladybug626 Member Posts: 25
    #2
    Statistics can be so discouraging, can't they? They represent populations not individuals. So many factors contribute to an individual prognosis.

    My Mom has more than twice outlived her original prognosis. It is pretty amazing considering her original prognosis was given BEFORE her brain tumor was discovered. Her faith in herself and her faith in God sustains her. Even on her bad days when she thinks she is at her worst, she still amazes me. She is so strong and positive.

    Please don't be discouraged by the numbers. There is always hope.
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #3
    Dear Annabel, I'm sure by now you have had whatever additional chemotherapy the doctors came up with. Like you, I have serous papillary uterine cancer. I am about to start my first chem series with carboplatin and taxol. There is one study out there reported on the ASCO website in the report of their 2004 Annual meeting regarding this chemo in combination with radiation. The results were more encouraging than anything else I have read or the predictions I was given by my surgical oncologist. Only 1 of 9 women treated with both regimens had recurrence within a median follow-up period of 38 months. Alot better than the 50-50 odds I have heard. If you have had more treatment, I hope it has gone well for you. If you did have carboplatin and taxol, tell me about your side effects and what helped (or didn't help.)

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