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Returning Ovarian Cancer

1 reply

LilmissCa · 20/06/2023 11:50

My mum got diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer just over 3yrs ago (the day of her 70th bday start of covid). Initially she got 3 chemo, surgery (full hysterectomy) & another 3 chemo. This kept her clear for 2 years, till it returned, she's had another round of chemo which finished just in Feb. And got that it was shrunk / removed enough to go back to monitor.
She's started on a daily maintenance drug which was just halved as she was feeling sick. Her CA125 level has now started raising again. Pretty much slowly since Feb.
Originally they told us they would stop the maintenance drug if it raised, now they are waiting until the end of the 3rd month (6wks time) to do a scan.

2 questions
Aibu thinking they should scan her now & treat (if possible) instead of waiting 6 wks for things to get worse incase. This obvs isn't working & will less so as the dosage is reduced.

Has anyone experience with reoccurring ovarian cancer ? Do they keep offering chemo / treatment? Or is it depending on how bad it returns.

OP posts:
TopOfTheCliff · 21/06/2023 20:16

Hi @LilmissCa I have just popped in from the cancer support thread. With stage 4 cancer you work through the available drugs seeing which work and which don’t or which upset you. If you are strong enough they keep going as long as you are responding. I had a lovely friend of 83 who wasn’t strong enough for more chemotherapy and went onto palliative care. It’s about quality of life with the stage 4 drugs. There are also new drugs constantly appearing at the moment with the immunotherapy treatments coming in. I guess your question will be what the oncologist thinks is best for your mum, with her agreement. Does your mum want to hurry things up? Has she got a specialist nurse she could talk to? It’s hard for you when you want her better. Sending hugs x

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