Ovarian IIIC Recurrence after 3.5 years- Malignant Pleural Effusion

[Aspirer]

I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer in Oct. 2006 with a CA125 of a litttle over 1000. I had debulking surgery and full hysterectomy. I did 6 treatments of Intra-peritoneal (IP) chemo with Taxol and Cisplatin concurrent with six IV treatments of Taxotere. In late Feb. 2007 I was cancer free with NED and a CA125 of 8. I did 1 year of maintenance IV Taxotere and followed up with apointments every 2 then every 3 months. In Jan 2010, My mother died of bile duct cancer after 5 difficult weeks, where I was with her round-the-clock. The stress was tremendous and my CA125 started rising, from 6 to 15 to 28 over the next five months, though no sign of any issues.

Then on May 29, I had to go to the ER with severe shortness of breath and they admitted me and diagnosed malignant pleural effusion (tested positive for CA125) and they did a thoracentisis. I left the hospital and started chemo with Doxil and Carboplatin. My CT Scan did not show any tumors. My CA125 was 270 in the hospital, but it went to 124 after the first chemo in June 2010, and was down to 27 after the 2nd chemo in July, and was down to 15.9 after my Aug. chemo. My gyn- onc. says that I will be on chemo for the rest of my life. Online articles suggest that malignant pleural is a sign of advanced disease with a poor prognosis. My onc. just says that I am unlikely to be cured and that my maintenance chemo cannot be Taxotere like before, that I will need to continue with Doxil and probably Carboplatin as well. Yet with my low CA125, am I in remission?

I am on disability right now, but want to return to work after the 6 treatments, but am concerned if the same level continues, as this is not easy chemo.  Also, Doxil is cardio toxic, but my dr. says not to worry. Is that because I am not expected to survive long enough for toxicity to be an issue?

I love my dr. and he helped me to get 3.5 years in remission, but he seems to be very careful not to talk about my current prognosis. With my numbers doing well, is it a good sign for survival? One year, two years...?

[jr1971]

Hi there

Sounds like you have had a pretty tough year. Sorry to hear you have had such a hard time of it.

There are no real guarantees in life - anyone without cancer could get hit by a bus tomorrow - people with advanced disease do recover and live long and active lives. The not knowing is what tends to get to people. I try to help my wife to live in the day and not to worry about the future. As long as she is taking the medication she is given, and is getting a good balanced diet, she is doing what she can to beat the disease.

Drs can only really guess at the future based on an average of what they have seen before. In those averages there are some people who do really well. It sounds like you have a good doctor who tries to give you the information that is important.

You sound like a strong person and I am sure you will find the strength to come through this and to retain a firm sense of belief that you will do well. You have responded well to treatment before and it sounds from your CA125 levels that you are responding again.

[junamgen]

Sorry about your situation.  I don't think anyone knows including our drs how long we are going to live after dx. I had my 1st recurrence last year and now I'm in NED. I'm trying very hard to get my body strong enough to face next  time if it comes again.  If you think your physical condition can handle the work, then go for it. otherwise maybe have a long break.  I haven't work since, but have found wonderful group for mental supporting and for physical exercise.  Hope the best for you.

Peace and Love
jun