chemotherapy

[sheba602]

Many thanks for replies. Update on mum. She stopped Letrozole after 6 weeks as no response. Her CA is now 4800 after having had approx. 4 mths or 5 off chemo. Her scan says prog. dis at mulitple sites. Sais liver serosa fulciform ligament is 31mm from 22mm. surface of segment 7 also. Splenic hilum 16mm focus. Increased omental disease. Small vol ascites in pelvis.Focus of disease anterior to pancreatic head increased to 42mm from 9mm. Pls can you explain this report and how you see this. Is it all doom, She has started taxol for 18 weeks course. Her lymph legs are bigger. She is always very tired and has pain in lower left under breast bone area. Is that the liver. Does this sound like it is progressing to her liver or pancreas. Her shortness of breath is extreme. Many thanks

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi there,
thank you for the update.
the report suggests small cancer deposits in multiple areas around the abdominal cavity. Nothing in this report suggests tumor inside the organs of the liver and pancreas just on the outside.
this is very typical behavior for ovarian cancer.

She has been off cytotoxic chemo for 4-5 months so her body has had a chance to recharge. It makes sense to try more chemo now.

She is sick from her cancer and all her symptoms are from the cancer. I know how hard that is. Very slowly she will get sicker but the therapies she has had and will get are helping to maintain her health right now

Everyone has a different story. Please let us know how things are going
best wishes

[sheba602]

thanks for response. as you say this is typical and you say she will get sicker what are the stages of sickness to look out for and expect and time period to these satges esp as you say this is typical. many thanks