Probably a Dumb Question about Chemo

Lisa13Q
Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Ok folks, if the chemo is doing such a good job shrinking the tumors, why doesn't that cure the cancer? Does this question make sense? My mother's is shrinking too. So I think, great, just keep giving her the chemo and it will go away. What am I missing?

Comments

  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #2
    Who is it that said "the only dumb question is the one not asked". I don't really understand that, but there are no dumb questions.

    Anyway, the chemo kills the cancer, but there are stray cells left behind and those little buggers wait for the right moment to raise their ugly heads and start trouble again. Hope I got that right.

    Your Mom will regain her weight when the chemo treatments are over. I lost 40 lbs on carbo/taxol, and gained it back when chemo was finished.

    If Mom stopped chemo, it would grow and spread to other organs.

    Good luck and good health to Mom.

    Jane
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #3
    Lisa,
    Jane is right about the microscopic stuff. And the cancer tends to mutate and build an immunity to chemo. So, that is why they switch you to a new chemo sometimes. If the chemo is working for the tumors, they can only give you so much, because it is very toxic to the rest of your body.

    I had someone explain chemo to me in an interesting way, a few months ago. If you wanted to turn off the lights at the lab, you just flip the switch, but when you use chemo to turn off the lights, you have to bomb the whole lab!!!

    That being said, there are many who have a complete cyto-reductive surgery and then chemo and never recur. It can happen. For those of us who have recurred we just keep moving on to new chemos hoping to get as much time as possible!

    Wishing you and you mom the best,
    kathleen:)
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #4
    After I had surgery and
    After I had surgery and completed chemo, one of my doctors told me he felt we may have had a cure of the cancer, but after five years my CA-125 started climbing, and now, a little more than 7 years after the first surgery, I'm scheduled for surgery to remove a tumor from my abdomen that is cancerous, and there is little doubt that it's ovarian cancer. Following my surgery, I'll be having IP chemo because a lot of evidence exists showing that it helps hold off the disease longer than IV therapy for first-time chemo, and that's how my oncologist thinks it should be done for me this time. I will be having carboplatin and taxol again because it gave me such good results the first time.

    My oncologist offered me the option of having chemo to shrink the tumor, but my husband and I agreed that it made more sense to remove the tumor (which is well contained), and try to clean up any other stray cells with chemo. My biggest gripe is that the carbo/taxol combination has been the gold standard for so long!

    There are long-term survivors of OVCA, but like other cancers, it is largely a matter of luck as to who gets that break.

    I wish you and your mom the best of luck, but I am sure she already knows she is a very lucky woman to have a caring daughter like you!
  • aboli
    aboli Member Posts: 9
    #5
    groundeffect said:

    After I had surgery and
    After I had surgery and completed chemo, one of my doctors told me he felt we may have had a cure of the cancer, but after five years my CA-125 started climbing, and now, a little more than 7 years after the first surgery, I'm scheduled for surgery to remove a tumor from my abdomen that is cancerous, and there is little doubt that it's ovarian cancer. Following my surgery, I'll be having IP chemo because a lot of evidence exists showing that it helps hold off the disease longer than IV therapy for first-time chemo, and that's how my oncologist thinks it should be done for me this time. I will be having carboplatin and taxol again because it gave me such good results the first time.

    My oncologist offered me the option of having chemo to shrink the tumor, but my husband and I agreed that it made more sense to remove the tumor (which is well contained), and try to clean up any other stray cells with chemo. My biggest gripe is that the carbo/taxol combination has been the gold standard for so long!

    There are long-term survivors of OVCA, but like other cancers, it is largely a matter of luck as to who gets that break.

    I wish you and your mom the best of luck, but I am sure she already knows she is a very lucky woman to have a caring daughter like you!

    intereting discussion,
    very timely for me. After the surgery ( removal of cantalope size tumor and total histerectomy and debulking and whatever )now in 2 days they are goning to put a port for IV
    chemo (carbo/taxol).

    Soon the chemo will start. I am still hurting from the surgery. it has not been even four weeks since surgery. I am little nervous about the chemo.

    I am staged at 1c for treatment, all bad parts, tumor and stage iii ovary has been removed.

    I am told for everyone it is different, but it really helps to hear about others' experiences.

    I came to know about my tumor just about 2 months back.

    And have not got much chance to research thoroughly yet. But this discussion board has given me lot of information, hope and support and much more.

    good luck for you and your mom. good luck to you groundeffect for your surgery. good luck and prayers for all.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #6
    groundeffect said:

    After I had surgery and
    After I had surgery and completed chemo, one of my doctors told me he felt we may have had a cure of the cancer, but after five years my CA-125 started climbing, and now, a little more than 7 years after the first surgery, I'm scheduled for surgery to remove a tumor from my abdomen that is cancerous, and there is little doubt that it's ovarian cancer. Following my surgery, I'll be having IP chemo because a lot of evidence exists showing that it helps hold off the disease longer than IV therapy for first-time chemo, and that's how my oncologist thinks it should be done for me this time. I will be having carboplatin and taxol again because it gave me such good results the first time.

    My oncologist offered me the option of having chemo to shrink the tumor, but my husband and I agreed that it made more sense to remove the tumor (which is well contained), and try to clean up any other stray cells with chemo. My biggest gripe is that the carbo/taxol combination has been the gold standard for so long!

    There are long-term survivors of OVCA, but like other cancers, it is largely a matter of luck as to who gets that break.

    I wish you and your mom the best of luck, but I am sure she already knows she is a very lucky woman to have a caring daughter like you!

    Glad your Doc is open to options
    Hi Sue, I am so glad your doc is open to options, I think most clinics don't look at surgery as an option for a recurrence. I only had a sls because of the hernia and many times have thought why can't they just remove it again. Well at this stage I think it is too late my last ctscan says the cancer has invaded my colon wall more and it is scattered splatered everyone. But believe me at times I think why can't they??

    I well be watching for your update after the surgery that all went well and you are feeling pretty good. We know "feeling great" is stretching it after surgery.

    Sending lots of hugs ♥ prayers your way. Love Ya Bonnie

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