Ovarian Cancer-stage 1c

[lttaylor]

I am currently undergoing chemo carboplatin/gemzar for stage 1c grade 3 ovca. Mine was found when I was tested positive for the BRCA1 gene and I decided to have prophylactic surgery by having a hysterectomy/oopharectomy. When I was tested before surgery I had never had any indication of ovca. The BRCA1 gene gives you a 44% higher chance of getting ovca and a 90% higher chance for breast cancer. My doctor thought that my ovaries appeared normal even during surgery. I had robotic surgery and only fluid from my abdominal cavity was taken. When the pathologist found a small 1.5mm cancer on the outside of my ovary and it was the aggressive kind, I opted to have chemo. I am told that there is very little research in treating cancer this small and in this situation. My delimma is that since there was no suspicion of cancer when the surgery was performed, there was no exploratory done on my other abdominal organs. I was given the option of them going back in to do more diagnostic surgery but was advised that since the cancer found was so small the chemo treatment was the most logical treatment. Now, reading experiences of others, I am wondering if I am making a mistake by not having more surgery to make sure that there is no more visible involvement in my abdominal area. Also, I never got a second opinion as mine seemed pretty cut and dry and from what I am reading, your treatments seem like mine except the cocktail mixture. I want some input from those of you who have been through this and are any of you BRCA1 positive??

[lttaylor]

Thanks Jane. I will heed your advice.
How are you doing? Let me know. I will be thinking of you.Please keep in touch.

God bless.

Luanne

[jane65]

You are so lucky that the cancer was caught early, and having chemo to kill any any remaining cancer cells was a good decision.

I would recommend having a CA125 blood test, and scans of your chest, abdomen and pelvis done periodically to be sure there is no recurrence of cancer.

Having another major surgery doesn't seem necessary, if non invasive tests can do a good job to check your body.

I am BRCA 2 positive and staged 4B epithelial OVCA, mine was caught late.

Be well, and good luck.
Jane

[lttaylor]

Thanks, you are very encouraging and I appreciate your comments. I am thankful that your treatment was successful and your are doing well. Yes, ultimately it is all in God's hands and it doesn't get any better than that. Either way we are winners in my book!
Actually, this has been a real eye opening experience but all good really.
I know that I have a road to travel this year, but I have great faith as it and it sounds like you do too. God bless you. Keep in touch.

[crab08]

I am a year and a half cancer free.  I had a hysterectomy due to lots of pain, cysts, a mass on my ovary, elevated CA125 and probable endometriosis.  When I got out of surgery, my family was told I was messed up from the endometriosis almost up to my chest.  No cancer.  I had my staples out 2 weeks later.  Everything fine.  The next day I got the call, bad news.  The path report shows cancer and we are getting you an oncologist GYN right away.  The oncologist said the tumor was the size of a small orange and the cancer was found on both ovaries.  I was also told it was the most aggressive form.  I elected not to have further surgery and staging after being told treatment was exactly the same.  ( I had a rough time post surgery).  A PET scan showed a possible spot in my abdomen and another one in my chest.  The PET scan afterwards was clean.  My CA125 has not yet returned to normal.  I continue to receive exams and periodic CT scans and so far they are normal.  Knowing that all of this is in God's hands, I am at peace no matter the outcome.  I win no matter what.