It's back :( it never even left her.

I am so sorry
I am so sorry to hear this. I am new to this myself, so I can't contribute anything but my sincere hopes for the best, but I'm sure other, more knowledgeable and helpful members will chime in soon.

Mum2bellaandwilliam said:

Thanks for your kind words Linda
They did remove her omentum, but I think it grows back, it must grow back quick , it is one of the questions that we will ask the consultant.
Ladies cow.d yup help me, I am thinking of questions to ask the consultant, here is my list so far , if you can think of anymore please post them, thanks.

Is the cancer platinum resistant? Or has she just not had quite enough to finish it off?
If not can mum have more carbo taxol.?
What drug is next if she doesn't have carbo taxol?
Could full remission be achieved from said drug?
Could chemo still in her system finish the last bit of? ( last chemo 6 th dec)
We thought the omentum had been removed , how can she have cancer there? And would it be possible operate again?

If anyone can think of anything else, please chip in.

Thanks liz

Liz....I am so sorry to hear
Liz....I am so sorry to hear this. I know this journey is as hard on our loved ones as it is on us, maybe more so. I just finished reading Alana Stewart's book about Farah Fawcett's struggle with cancer. It was incredibly emotional and very moving.

As for your questions, I have read that a recurrence within 6 months means they consider the cander platinum resistant IF her CA125 is also elevated. That does not mean your mom won't respond to another drug, or combo of drugs. And she can, of course, achieve remission with another drug (or drug cocktail). Here is some "official" info for you....

The Gynecological Oncology Group (GOG) defines platinum resistance as meeting any of the criteria listed below:

Disease progression while on a first-line platinum-based regimen
Tumor progression within 6 months of completion of platinum-based therapy
Persistent clinically measurable disease with best response as stable disease at the completion of planned first-line therapy
Persistent clinically measurable disease with best response as stable disease with rising CA 125 while receiving first-line non-protocol therapy. Rising CA 125 levels must be documented with two examinations where the last result being greater than or equal to 100.


I am stumped too, regarding the omentum. I don't know if the omentum can grow back, per se, but it's certainly possible for a new fat deposit to grow in the belly. Maybe that's what was meant in your mom's case.

Carlene

Hi
I just want to say that I'm sorry to hear this. It must be a major disappointment and shock. Hang in there and hopefully the drs. will come up with a new plan and some good answers. Something sort of similar happened to my mom, (uterine cancer) in that we were told midpoint of taxo/carboplatin that her scan was basically good, CA number falling etc. (though probably not a good indicator for her, the high being 58 and that was stage IV before any treatment). Only to ultimately find out the "Treatment wasn't working" I too thought it was strange she got a letter .. I realize you're in the uk and I know everybody does things differently. Hugs and prayers, Cindy

moms
It is so difficult when our moms have cancer, isn't it? My mom had the same experience last year when her numbers were 3800 at her 3 month check up after her first chemo regiment. She is feeling good now and her numbers vary in the 2000 to 3000 range right now, nearly a year after her first recurrance. It is so difficult to recur that quickly. We all think it will be a couple of years before recurrence. But sometimes it isn't and you have to make the most of every moment and keep moving forward. And sometimes when you do that you have more time than you thought you would have. So keep moving forward.
Sending a hug.

Mum2bellaandwilliam said:

Thanks ladies.
Right , ok , I've Googled it and slept on it, and yes we have hit a bump in the road, but this is no where near the end of the road! It is possible for mum to get a dance with NED the sneaky little bugger. Straight on to a different drug and fingers crossed she will kick it into touch.
I have spoken to her this morning, and she seems to be quite positive as well, I said I had googled her situation and that there Are women out there in the same boat who have achieved good remissions after finding out they are platinum resistant.
I think ip chemo is the way forward, trouble is there doesn't seem to be any where in the uk that Does it. this is something we need to ask the consultant, she has an appointment Monday morning, I have my questions at the ready. Staying positive , we will not be beaten.

IP chemo
Just read this post - my oncolgist does do IP chemo, his name is Professor Gordon Rustin and he's based at Mount Vernon Hospital in Rickmansworth. Google him for more info.
M x

Hissy_Fitz said:

Liz....I am so sorry to hear
Liz....I am so sorry to hear this. I know this journey is as hard on our loved ones as it is on us, maybe more so. I just finished reading Alana Stewart's book about Farah Fawcett's struggle with cancer. It was incredibly emotional and very moving.

As for your questions, I have read that a recurrence within 6 months means they consider the cander platinum resistant IF her CA125 is also elevated. That does not mean your mom won't respond to another drug, or combo of drugs. And she can, of course, achieve remission with another drug (or drug cocktail). Here is some "official" info for you....

The Gynecological Oncology Group (GOG) defines platinum resistance as meeting any of the criteria listed below:

Disease progression while on a first-line platinum-based regimen
Tumor progression within 6 months of completion of platinum-based therapy
Persistent clinically measurable disease with best response as stable disease at the completion of planned first-line therapy
Persistent clinically measurable disease with best response as stable disease with rising CA 125 while receiving first-line non-protocol therapy. Rising CA 125 levels must be documented with two examinations where the last result being greater than or equal to 100.


I am stumped too, regarding the omentum. I don't know if the omentum can grow back, per se, but it's certainly possible for a new fat deposit to grow in the belly. Maybe that's what was meant in your mom's case.

Carlene

This is probably a dumb question
but when do you start counting how long you are in remission. Is it from sugery or last chemo or what? I don't want to waste my time dwelling on numbers (ie Ca 125) unless of course they are good.

Karen

kikz said:

This is probably a dumb question
but when do you start counting how long you are in remission. Is it from sugery or last chemo or what? I don't want to waste my time dwelling on numbers (ie Ca 125) unless of course they are good.

Karen

Karen....a confirmed
Karen....a confirmed remission is determined by two things: a normal CA125 and a "clean" CT scan, both performed within the same time frame (2 weeks or so).

My doctor told me after my 4th chemo treatment that he suspected I was in remission, but without a CT scan, he could not be sure. It was another two months - after I had completed all 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol and had a CT scan - that he officially pronounced me NED (no evidence of disease). My surgery was Sept 2009, but I count my remission from March 3, 2010 - almost a year.

Carlene