Newly diagnosed

taiga
taiga Member Posts: 75 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hey everyone!

I am 49, just found out July 2nd that I have stage III ovarian cancer, clear cell. Waiting to hear what grade it is - so new to all this - wasn't a question I even knew to ask! I had a softball size cystic mass on my ovary that had leaked fluid into my abdomen. I had a total hysterectomy on July 6th. Our only daughter was married this past weekend, on July 17th, about 4 hours from our home. Very large Catholic wedding a year in the planning. Looking back now, I ignored those all too common symptoms - bloating, lack of appetite, etc. and attributed it all to the stress of work, planning the wedding, etc.

I am recuperating from the surgery. I have always been extremely healthy, no smoking, work out regularly, very health diet. Once I've recovered, then as my dcotor put it, "the race is on". I am applying to participate in a clinical trial - GOG 0252. I saw another discussion board dealing with that particular study, but the posts were pretty old.

I guess my main concern is whether I would be better off doing the standard IV treatment for 18 weeks or, if accepted, do the clinical trial, which is much, much longer. The trial has 3 groups and you are randomly placed in a group. Group I: IV only with the standard chemo drugs + Bevacizumab (a/k/a Avastin or "Bev"); Group II: same drugs, but administered by both IV and IP; Group III: same drugs, plus Cisplatin, administered by IV and IP.

Just wondering if anyone out there has clear cell - not able to find out much info. about that specifically. Also concerned about the side effects of Avastin - bowel perforations/obstructions. Love my doctor, but am also looking into a 2nd opinion.

Comments

  • cancer survivor x 4
    cancer survivor x 4 Member Posts: 177
    #2
    Clear Cell
    Hello,
    I had clear cell, but was a stage 2b. I had 6 treatments of carbo/taxol. I have been fine for almost 14 monthes. Is your doctor not recommending carbo/taxol as a first line chemo? I have alot of friends who were a stage 3c, clear cell, and they took 6 to 8 carbo/taxol treatments and are fine to date. They have been NED longer then I. Thank-You, Paula
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • taiga
    taiga Member Posts: 75 Member
    #4
    cancer survivor x 4 said:

    Clear Cell
    Hello,
    I had clear cell, but was a stage 2b. I had 6 treatments of carbo/taxol. I have been fine for almost 14 monthes. Is your doctor not recommending carbo/taxol as a first line chemo? I have alot of friends who were a stage 3c, clear cell, and they took 6 to 8 carbo/taxol treatments and are fine to date. They have been NED longer then I. Thank-You, Paula

    clear cell treatment
    I just found out mine is stage 3a, grade 3 (poorly differentiated). My doctor is wanting me to recover a little from the surgery before starting the chemo. I have lost a lot of weight as it is - I'm 5'8", 113# and have quite the vertical abdominal scar, I look about 5 months pregnant! I am just faced with the decision to go the standard chemo route - 6 sessions of carbo/taxol or the clinical trial. Not sure if I go the standard route if it will be both IV and IP. From what I've been told, getting approved to participate in the trial just takes a day or two once application is made. Then of course, getting pre-certification from the insurance company. It is a phase 3 trial and the Avastin is being paid for by the NCI.
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #5
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    I'm with Nancy
    I would start the mainline treatment immediately. Taxol + carboplatin. Save the studies for later if needed.SAundra
  • pjdreams
    pjdreams Member Posts: 77
    #6
    hello
    Taiga,

    I have/had ? clear cell carcinoma as well. Completed the standard 18 weeks of carboplatin and taxol at the end of December, 2009. Being monitored closely by my gyn/onc thru PET/CT scans and CA-125 blood tests. So far, so good.

    I wish you well in your treatments.

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