Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma (UPSC): any others here???

princepack said:

The "UN" official count
OK. So, since I have nothing better to do today... I went through this blog and counted. Looks like there are 12 of us here with UPSC and 3 whose mom's have UPSC to bring us to a total of 15. I wrote down all of your screen names. You will all be on my friend's list as soon as I get some food in me. Can't eat after 11 am today because of my surgery tomorrow and it is 9:30 am now. I gotta get eating (haven't even had breakfast yet)!!!

upsc
This is my first post. I would love to hear back from any of you!
My sister was diagnosed 12 months ago at age 55. She was incredibly healthy in every way at diagnosis. She had surgery/hysterectomy Jan 2009, then 5 months of chemo followed by 2 months of radiation. After a clean PET scan a couple months ago, her Dr. believes the cancer has returned. I would appreciate any suggestions at this point. Has anyone had any success with alternative medicine? She is being treated by an experienced physician who is board certified in Gynecologic Oncology and Obstetrics & Gynecology. However, she had not received a second opinion.

one more
thought I'd already posted on this thread...darn my Swiss-cheese memory!

Diagnosed with stage 1b endometrioid and UPSC and had a total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy and removal of 25 lymph nodes Feb 2008. Lymph nodes & washings negative. Had 6 chemo treatments (taxol + carboplatin) but no radiation...and NED ever since.

Hugs,
Cecile

Another UPSC
I posted yesterday in Roll Call thread, a relative newbie to this site. I'm about to head to gyn-onc appt. re going forward with second course of chemo for new issues found Sept - Dec '09. I put it on hold over holidays and to give me time to think it over. He had commented that it's a personal choice as no real evidence that chemo ultimately prolongs life and no Rx could add to quality of life. I'm in pretty good health and have no symptoms at this time - except the constant worry and fretting, etc. My orig diagnosis was by endometrial biopsy at end of '07. Major debulking surgery Jan '08 with post-op complications from a bleeder after a clamp slipped off. Course of Taxol and carboplatin - 6 rounds; no radiation due rec. due to extensive mets thru-out abd including in spleen. CA125 normal after first few rounds of chemo.
Why UPSC??? Had taken Tamoxifen x 6 1/2 years for recurrent breast cancer - could this be a factor???
Time to head out -- btw, my Doc was quoted in San Diego Union Tribune today re new screening recs for cervical cancer - He's dept head for Gyn-Onc at UCSD Medical Ctr. I'll see what he has to say re my issues.

cathair said:

Hello- I would appreciate your imput-
Hi there- I'm Tara and my dear friend has been recently diagnosed with UPSC. I would love to know what you think about her diagnosis. I have never been through this with someone so close to me, and as I am sure your friends were for you, I am heartbroken for my friend. Thank you so much, in advance for any advice you might have to offer. Her exact words: "I have papillary serous pleura differentiated high grade carcinoma that involves the cervix, vagina, uterus, lungs, liver, lymph nodes and breast". I know this is very serious- there will be chemo, but no surgery. I am so scared for her...
Thank you,
Tara

Tara sorry to hear about your friend
Your friends diagnosis does sound very serious. If no surgery is involved, was the diagnosis made from CAT scans or PET scans. I hope your friend tolerates the chemo well. She is lucky to have a concerned friend like you. Cancer is very scary. Being there to support your friend will be important for her. Does your friend have someone to take her to chemo treatments. If not that is something you could do for her. Having a "listening ear" will also help her. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. We will try to answer them. In peace and caring.

deanna14 said:

I have serous papillary adenocarcinoma
I was diagnosed in August with endometrial adenocarcinoma Stage I after having a D&C where they found a polyp. When I had the hysterectomy on September 11, the polyp was actually a tumor. They found 1 pelvic lymph node involved. Mixed endometrial and serous papillary adenocarcinoma Stage IIIC. I start radiation later today and will have chemo after 5 weeks of daily radiation and 3 weeks of weekly internal radiation. So, I can't tell you what expect, it sounds like we are at the same place in our journey. Please share any information you might find that would be helpful.

serous carcinoma
See my past of jan 16, 2010. it pertains to your post as well. Good Luck. Jo Tavener

Just found out I have UPSC...
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010 was the day my Gyn. told me my lab results came back positive for cancer, uterine cancer to be specific. I am scared.

susie1143 said:

Your diagnosis
Sorry to hear that you are positive for cancer. Do you know what stage or grade? The stage is where the cancer is and the grade is the type of cell. I was initially told that I had a Grade 3 (I believe that's the UPSC) which is the same as ovarian. However, I was then downgraded after surgery to a 2 (less aggressive).

My prayers and thoughts will be with you and all the ladies through this cancer journey. If you haven't already, contact your local cancer society. They offer many services including support for you and your family. It's an amazing organization.

Susie

I don't think I count
I was diagnosed with it in June 2009, but am in remission. I'm sorry. I still feel like I have it. I am still on treatment and have cramps, and I am not finding it easy to believe that it's gone, really.

jctavener said:

serous carcinoma
I'm sorry that I only now saw your post. I was diagnosed with serous carncinoma in June 2004 and had a hysterectomy, radiation and chemo. I have been cancer free 5 1/2 years but I also attribute this is a strong exercise regiment, weight loss and a full spectrum of anti-oxidant supplements. Email John Laird at Chatham University for consulation. I used someone else to begin but I think he's the best. Good Luck. Jo Tavener

My mom has this
My mom was diagnosed with this cancer in Jan. 2009 stage 3. She has been through many different chemos, but non seem to be helping the lymph nodes. She is now in the hospital dealing with the pain in her pelvic region and her back. We found out today that her back now has an inflamed node and the caner is on one part of the bone in her back. Can this be stopped? She will be doing radiation, but will that work?

What else should I look into for my mom? I am really looking for some guidance on what to do to help her fight this.

Thanks

daisy366 said:

crummiemeals
I'm sorry that you and your mom are going through this. You are a wonderful support for her, I'm sure.

My only suggestion is to look into alternative therapies to supplement what she is getting medically. There are several threads on this board that talk of diet, meditation, massage, healing touch, etc. I used these and they seemed to help me - I have the same kind and stage of cancer as your mother.

My prayers are with you and your family. Mary Ann

Thanks!
Thanks Mary Ann, I am sorry about what you are going through too. I had never heard of this before my mom told me. Do you mind if I ask when you were diagnosed? Have you been tolerating the treatments your doctors are using? That is one of my mom's biggest issues. She is having horrible side effects to the chemo.

Best-
Megan

daisy366 said:

crummiemeals
I am one of the really lucky ones. I tolerated my treatments very well - maybe this is due to the alternative therapies I practiced and still do. I learned alot from reading Simonton's Getting Well Again (I highly recommend this book) and if you want copies of the meditation tapes I used I will gladly send to you - contact me at daisyelder@comcast.net if you or anyone is interested).

I worked throughout my chemo and I did not have radiation (my doc's decision). I am now ONE YEAR post completion of treatment and will go on an adventure trip to Belize to celebrate!! I've been exercising and pumping iron like crazy for the last several months. I feel great!! Everyone says I look great and my markers are low (thank you Lord!!).

Like I said, I am very fortunate and so grateful for a wonderful quality of life. Blessings to you all, Mary Ann

Mary Ann,
Thanks so much for
Mary Ann,

Thanks so much for your message. First of all congrats to you and the fact that you are 1 year post treatment. That is such positive news for you and your family! It is also positive for us out there looking to here this kind of information.

Wow what a great treat you to go on a get away trip to Belize, what a well deserved adventure.

I would like to get a copy of the motivation tapes and I will contact you via email. I also just bought that book from reading about it on this message board. I wanted my mom to read it, but she has been really out of it recently.


Can you give me any insight on these alternative therapies? I have been looking on the message board to try to find it.

My mom is back in the hospital for the 3rd time within the month. She got dehydrated again which made the pain really bad again. I just wish there was more I could do for her. I would do anything to help her with this.

I am trying to hold out hope that things can get better, but at times it gets hard.

Thanks so much for messaging me back. These messages have been so helpful to me!

Cheers to you!

Best ,

Megan