Find online Gynecologic cancer information at CancerCompass.com. Our forum lets you connect with patients, discuss new developments in gynecological cancer research and more. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancers/gynecological-cancer/1,0,119,38.htm Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Are there any carcinosarcoma survivors out there? My mother in law was diagnosed in January of this year.  She was treated with Caro/taxol and after that round they decided to do a PET scan which showed mets to her liver/lungs/bones.  Her treatment has changed to combination therapy of radiation and cisplatin.  Please tell me there are survivors out there.  This is devistating to us :( http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71803,0.htm katie777 Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I recently discovered a mis-shapen mass in the area where the Bartholin gland is located on the left side of my vagina. I went to my ob gyn and she seemed very unconcerned about it, saying its just a Bartholin gland cyst. I have been trying to do my own research on this subject and can't find much information regarding what the cyst should feel like. This mass goes into the vaginal wall and seems to be quite big and oblong. It does not feel fluid- like. Anybody have any good information about these types of masses? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,65714,0.htm Lmh911 Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT I need to decide about starting Doxil.  The side effects sound terrible on their website.  I keep having allergic reactions to the other drugs.  So concerned about what sounds like a big bad drug. Is it normal to only have this drug once a month?   Thank you Ellen http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71768,0.htm ekcole Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT My daughter has recently been diagnosed with Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor of the Ovary.  We have been taking her to one of the best hospitals around and they still don't seem to know exactly how to treat her.  The first Dr. removed the tumor and assured us it was gone and we need not seek any further treatment.  I didn't feel comfortable with this because this Dr. wasn't an oncologist.  I took her to a gyn/onc and this Dr. after three long trips there and several appointments and many tests decided to go back in and remove the ovary.  Thank god he did because there was more there!  He is going to the tumor board again this week with her case...they all seem to be scratching their heads.  I have been reading horror stories about this cancer and can't seem to find much information on it or anyone with much knowledge of it.  Just wondering if there is anyone out there that can share their experience with me and give some insight on what is yet to come. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,61678,0.htm gizmo8227 Sat, 03 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT I was diagnosed, by vaginal ultrasound, that I had complex cysts on both ovaries. I went to my gyn for a second ultrasound 3 weeks later and she said the cysts were not there and they could come and go and may or may not be painful. The first dr said it was too early to tell if it was cancer, then my gyn, whom I trust, said nothing to worry about. I have IBS so I have bloating, pain, and gas, which are all symptoms of ovarian cancer. I am tired frequently, but I am also very busy. I have had irregular paps for the past 18 months, but at each pap, my pelvic is normal. So what did I do now? Ask for more tests? What test do I need? The complex cysts had solid material..where did it go? Could it be cancer? Stressed! I have 3 daughters and am 38. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71640,0.htm Htof3 Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I have been diagnosed in march 2012 with cervical adenocarcnoma I've had chemo and radiation simultaneously. I stilll have to go through brachy treatments. This illness is consuming every thought I have. I have good health all in all. at the beginning they thought of doing surgery but tumour had a big size so surgery was not an option. Please I am looking for survivors. I need help that there is a light at the end of the tunnel http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,68269,0.htm wanttiheal65 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT I am a stage IIB CC survivor of 20 years. I am here to help anyone that needs it.  Please feel free to message me anytime and I will do what I can to help.  Technology and medicine have come a long way since I had cervical cancer and detection is even more advanced. However; it's most important that you, as a woman, know your body and know when it is trying to tell you something.  I was told nothing was wrong with me and I had endometriosis.  I don't want any of you to go through that experience.  Feel free to browse the site I have that has information on cervical cancer signs and symptoms, survivor stories, pictures and more.   The book I wrote goes in great detail of the whole story and you can get that here : http://bit.ly/131yENU If you are needing to just read more on CC and HPV, please see  About Cervical Cancer http://bit.ly/ZUH0is http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71325,0.htm weez1967 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I am 47 yrs old, 5 years postmenopausal.  I've had various gynecological issues throughout life beginning with endometriosis at age 25, cryosurgery same year, endometrial hyperplasia without atypia at 40, premature menopause at 41, episodes of postmenopausal bleeding past 3 years, and my current concerning symptoms: bloating, mentrual-like cramps, back pain (sometimes crampy, other times sharp), other various 'pains' in pelvis, episodes of extreme constipation & no appetite at times.  The pain will build up and get extreme, and then may go away for several days/week. The other day the way I was feeling physically could best be described as how I remember early labor with cramps going down my legs. After hours online and developing concern of ovarian cancer (have friend w/ late stage), I see PC who orders pelvic/TV UT. Everything was 'normal' except for 'no visual of L ovary'.  Took my problems to new OBGYN who did endometrial biopsy and new pelvic/TV UT. Findings: could palpate ovaries (said they 'feel normal'), biopsy negative, did get UT image of L ovary which had a 'septated simply cyst' (5 follicles) and measured a little larger than a normal menstruating ovary.  Had CT w/ contrast.  Results read "trace fluid in pelvis, non-homogeneous uterus".  Had a very weird episode where my blood pressure spiked to 150/110 (normal for me is 90/70) and resting pulse was 112.  They thought it was a possible torsion or rupture, but found nothing.  Went to hospital and ran all kinds of tests, all normal.  Only helpful words were from PA who remarked that if my OBGYN could still feel my ovaries and I am postmenopausal, that is cause for concern.  My OBGYN insists that it's a GI problem and seems to brush off all my concerns, looking at me like I'm a crazy woman.  I have taken all results to OBGYN Oncologist who was willing to review w/out seeing me.  They want me to get CA125 and HE4, saying insurance may not pay for it since I have no family history of breast or gyne cancers.  I am planning on getting the test, but in the meantime, wonder if I should just let it all go, like nearly everyone around me says- that it's probably a food allergy or GI problem.  Any help/comments appreciated! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71673,0.htm dm2013 Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hello all.  I am 30 years old and was diagnosed with PCOS about 3 years ago.  At first, I was not getting a period.  Saw my GYN and put me on Metformin to help regulate.  It did not help much and was dealing with that off and on while my husband and I did try to get pregnant (I have a 5 year old from previous relationship & got pregnant without a problem).  About a year ago, my periods came on much stronger and with A LOT more blood and clots.  It has been a year with little to no stopping of the bleeding.  My GYN at the time just did ultrasounds and kept saying it was the PCOS and that my thick endometrium lining was normal since I was bleeding.  I have since moved to a new state and found a new GYN.  She mentioned Endometrium cancer briefly.  She did get a few biopsies at the office and we are still waiting for the results.  Ultrasound is scheduled in a week as well.  I have never had a biopsy and I concerned about the results.  It can’t be normal with the amount of bleeding that I have been doing this past year.  I soak a pad each hour with LARGE clots(sorry if TMI) and are not on Iron pills since I am severely anemic due to the bleeding.  Has anyone had anything similar and how was it treated.  It has truly disrupted my life.  Any experience and/or advice would be great!   Thanks! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71665,0.htm jgutierrez Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I truly believe I have advanced ovarian cancer. I've been seen by numerous specialists and had numerous tests but I'm only getting sicker and weaker. I was seeing an Oncologist briefly, I was reffered but after 4 appointments he dismissed me. Here are my syptoms for the last 2 years. Extreme fatigue, fevers daily, nauseau, unable to eat yet feel full. Weight gain of 30 lbs., my abdomen is so bloated. Pelvic pain, addominal pain. Urinating frquently, change in bowel movements. Elevated prolactin levels, I'm 2+ years into menopause. Swollen lymph nodes in neck, pain in back, shortness of breath. I saw a Gyno-Oncologist who did blood tests CA125 and HE4. I was to have a CT SCan w/contrast but the insurance denied it twice! What do I do. I moved 3 years ago and yesterday went back to my old Gynocologist. She herself said I need a biopsy done! But told me to stick with the Gyno-Oncologist. They want to do an transvaginal ultrasound instead. What do I do? I don't feel time is on my side.             http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71625,0.htm justjanice Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Dear readers, I'm turning to this message board in the hopes of getting some advice. I am the oldest daughter of a 47-year old woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. She underwent a partial mastectomy and received chemotherapy and radiation to her breast and is today considered breast cancer free. However, her breast cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, and within a few months she was also diagnosed with cervical cancer. Again, she received chemotherapy and radiation to her cervix and also had a hysterectomy. In 2011 we learned that the cancer had returned and this time we decided to explore alternative treatments while my mom radically changed her lifestyle, diet and overall attitude. We flew my mom out to Dr. Burton Berkson's clinic in Las Cruces, New Mexico where she received IV Vitamin C, B12 and alpha lipoic acid injections as well as Naltrexone. After her two week session, my mom felt better than ever and her follow-up PET scan revealed that where there were once multiple small tumors, there was only a microscopic sheet of cancer now. It is our belief that the Vitamin C reduced the size of the tumors and delayed their growth until September 2012 when one of the tumors caused her colon to collapse. Multiple surgeries were unsuccessful and my mom had to wear a colostomy bag as she was no longer able to produce a bowel movement. Most recently, she was treated at UCSF where she had an ostomy surgery (also unsuccessful) and today she wears an NG tube which gathers stomach bile to prevent her from vomiting. Her large and small intestine are no longer functioning due to what the doctors believe is either scar tissue or cancer (they cannot rule one or the other out) and she has an open fistula on her stomach which excretes waste. There are two roughly 6-8 centimeter tumors on her intestines and since she is unable to eat or receive anything orally, so since November 2012 has been receiving TPN through a picc line in her right arm. Due to her weakened condition, she cannot travel which lead us to find a local doctor in San Francisco through whom we receive Vitamin C, B12 and alpha lipoic acid which my dad administers via her picc line at home. He uses the exact formula prescribed by Dr. Berkson since we had seen positive results with it before. I am mainly writing because through all this darkness I am looking for a ray of light. My mom's body and mind are young, and although her cancer is advanced and her situation unique, I do believe that with the right tools we will be able to remedy some of the damage that has been done and give my mom a chance at life. Has anyone else had IV Vitamin C treatments and what were your experiences with it like?  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70321,0.htm patriciaheath Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I've been doing a lot of searching around but cannot find any definitive answers.Has anyone had positive AFP levels before diagnosis and what were the levels? Has anyone heard of a false positive with other causes ruled out, no pregnancy, no liver disease or liver ca etc. Thank you. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71616,0.htm MummaBear Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT I recently had a hysterectomy and removal of both ovaries and this surgery was done by my gynecologist. The right ovary contained a tumor that, upon pathology, was found to be an adult granulosa cell tumor.  My surgeon had a gyne/oncologist visit me while in the hospital.  My tumor was 5 cm. and completely encapsulated.  They said it was 1a.  There was no surgical staging done during the surgery.  The oncologist explained he did not think it was necessary to go back in and do this as it was not an epithelial cell cancer.  He did an Inhibin B test and it came back less than 10.  He suggested that I just continue to see my gynecologist and have Inhibin B and Estradiol tests done every year.  It they should increase then he recommended I have CT or PET scans done then.  I was just wondering if this is the recommended observation of a 1a tumor and if I should be concerned that no further testing such as peritoneal washings were done during the surgery. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,69986,0.htm els612 Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT My name is Soo and have recurrent GCT (3b). Just finished 4# of BEP chemo, which was nightmare, and will have CT soon. Any ideas of necessary things after chemo. I'm so scared and need helpful information of treatment of this terrible one. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,61231,0.htm soohyuning Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Hi everyone I just wanted to tell everyone about my great ct scan.  I have two tumors one was 6.3 cm and has shrunk to 5.7 cm and the other was 5. cm and has shrunk to 3.9 cm.  I am on a low dose to taxol and avastin.  I also take beta glucan, coQ-10 and a probiotic.  I also take flax seed oil 3-6-9 in plain organic yoghut with blueberries and NOW Vit-min 100 and Black Salve Herbal Plus pill form.  I also drink alkaline water, not all the time but alot of the time.  I pray all of you are doing well.  Love ya Ann http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,67114,0.htm candlemaker Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT ? Byjen297· Yesterday at 8:21 pm · 5 replies InRecurrence 0Recommend  Stop following  Problem   Options Shared with members I have a history of Granulosa Cell Tumor with two recurrences, one in 2009 and one in 2012. My original diagnosis was in 2002. My recurrences have been small, and confined to my pelvic region. Granulosa Cell Tumor is typically a slow growing tumor. I had a hysterectomy in September of 2012. I recently had a blood test, and they checked my Inhibin B levels. They should be at zero since I had a hysterectomy. My levels were elevated....at 54. I had a CT scan, but it came out negative. My doctor gave me three choices: watch the levels and have continued CT scans until something shows up on the scan, go ahead and start chemo and see if the levels go down, or have surgery to see if he can find what could have been missed on the scan. He is almost positive that I am having a recurrence due to the increased Inhibin levels. I'm not sure what to do. I don't think that the surgery is a good option...my doctor told me that the chances of finding anything weren't very good. He kind of 'left it up to me' to decide what to do. I'm not sure if I should start chemo due to the slightly elevated results of one blood test. He did tell me that it was possible that I have a small spot that they may have missed after my last surgery due to not being able to see it. With my type of tumor, it could be years before anything shows up on the scan. There is also no guarantee that chemo will help because the tumor typically is slow growing. I don't know if I should wait or start chemo. If I wait and something shows up later, I will also need surgery. However, having chemo now may not prevent that from happening. If the chemo does end up bring my levels down, it's possible that I am preventing a recurrence. Right now I have decided to have another blood test in three months to see what is happening with the levels. I guess I will make a decision at that point. I am so frustated! I am thankful that I do have what appears to be a slow growing tumor, but it is cancer. Explore http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71123,0.htm JenniferE Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT i was recently diagnosed the melanoma and had a radiical vulvectomy and lymph nodes in my groin removed. Thankfully the scans were clear n all other areas. I being sent to a melanoma specialist and wondered if anyone had additional treatment for this besides surgery. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,60259,0.htm Pnut111 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT I wasn't sure where to start with this. I have been to many ovca sites since I have been dx, which was two weeks ago and it has been a very daunting idea to start a discussion or ask questions. I guess I should start at the beginning. I went to the doctor with a very swollen stomach. I used to be a very heavy girl but decided to become healthier when I quit smoking and tried to lose weight. After losing two stone I couldn't understand why my stomach was still so big. After trying a serious diet and exercise regime I finally went to the doctor. She immediately sent me for tests. I was found to have a 40cm cyst on my ovary. I was referred to a gyno/oncologist "just in case", as my cyst was so large they doubted it was cancer as it would have spread by now and killed me it was that big. So I had a surgery to remove the cyst two months ago and my doctor told me he had to take the ovary but everything looked fine. He did biopsies of everything and I would see him soon for the results that would most likely come back all clear. Two weeks ago my doctor told me I have stage 1a grade 2 ovarian cancer. I was shocked. I'm only 27 years old. He explained how rare it is to find ovca in someone so young. He said most of the tumour was borderline but in the middle it was malignant. He said we need to do a Pet scan to see if it has spread. He also said the chemo staff feel I should have more surgery(hysterectomy), but the surgery staff don't think that is necessary and I should just have chemo. They don't want to over treat me and want to give me a chance to have children as I have none yet. He is sending my slides away for a second opinion to two different hospitals. I guess I just want to know if there is anyone out there in my situation or what the likely hood of having to have more surgery is? My Pet scan is tomorrow and it will take a week to get the results. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71493,0.htm Eolyn Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I have posted on this site last year about my then 2 year old daughter being diagnosed with a Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour last year. Since then I have found 2 wonderful women whose daughter's were also diagnosed with JGCT. We would love to find other Mother's or people who have been diagnosed with JGCT. It's such a rare Ovarian Cancer that there is no real information to be found and we'd like to create awareness and support each other.Please feel free to add me as a friend on here and send me a private message.Michelle http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71488,0.htm MummaBear Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I recently had a recurring uterine polyp that stuck out of the cervix (visible upon gyn exam) removed by a gyn surgeon. Fortunately, she said the tissue looked ok and the biopsy result was negative! But polyps are on the road to cancer, and again this is recurring. I searched this site and found only one other reference to this - a man said his wife with ovarian cancer also had this kind of polyp, also negative. Does anyone else have knowledge of this? Maybe with all the cancer out there this might seem trivial, but I am still worried. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,39982,0.htm colormyworld Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT I'm having a D&C on Feb 6th because I started having allot of spotting in between periods and pelvic pain, pain with intercourse.  I want to know what to expect afterward. Does the pain last for a few days or only for the day of procedure. I don't know anyone that has ever had this procedure done so no one to ask.  I've posted on many health message boards and no answers. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70065,0.htm rnayriv Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT I was diagnosed with Endometrial cancer and after a radical hysterectomy the biopsy showed that the cancer was completely localised. It had not spread to either the ovaries or lymphnodes. I am undergoing radiation (external) 25 sessions which come to an end soon.After this I am advised to have 2 sessions of Internal radiation (brachy) which I am really terrified about.  If you or know of anyone who has gone through this please let me know what its like. Thanks- Rhoda http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71419,0.htm rhodarod Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Hi all, I am new to this cancer and new to this site but thankful I found you all. I'm 40 yrs old and have always had an irregular menstrual cycle. In November 2012 after not having a cycle for several months I started what I thought was one. I continued to bleed and pass baseball size blood clots through the end of January 2013 (non stop). I went to the ER and they said it was dysfunctinal uterine bleeding, go see my GYN. 2 days later the bleeding stopped. Not having insurance, I put off going to my GYN. 3 weeks later the bleeding started again. Feb 25, 2013 I had an ultrasound which revealed a large mass on my left ovary and my endometrium (uterine lining) was 20mm. My Dr. said I would need surgery and a biopsy. The following Wed. March 6, 2013 I went back to the ER with symptoms of shortness of breath, dizziness, tingling in my face and arms. I was admitted with a hemoglobin level of 8.4, a few hours later it dropped to 7.6, I was losing so much blood. I had my first blood transfusion (2 units). The following Monday I had a D&C to biopsy the endometrium and stop the bleeding. It did not stop only slowed. That hospital stay continued for a total of 10 days and a total of 6 units of blood. I went home Friday the 11th, by Wed. the bleeding increased and the clots started again. That Sunday night I got a terrible knife cutting pain in my left side that lasted almost 2 hours and I vomited My husband called rescue and I was taken back to the ER. Admitted again, low hemoglobin. The pain had stopped before I got to the hospital. At 5 am the pain came back worse and lasted about 45 min. after that the bleeding doubled in volume and the clots increased to softball size. Whether I sat up, stood up or simply moved the clots just kept coming. My hysterectomy and mass removal was scheduled for Tuesday March 26, 2013. This hospital stay lasted 5 days and a total of 10 units of blood (4 during my surgery). As soon as the Dr, opened me up my abdomen was filled with fluid. Cytology later showed negative for cancer cells. He removed an unuasually large tumor (22x20x17cm weighing 4 lbs.), (pathology came back calling it a rare Brenner tumor) from my left ovary and a small tumor (1.5cm) from my right ovary. It was sent to other states to be confirmed. After 2 weeks it came back as Granulosa Cell stage 1B capsule intact. The left tumor was actively bleeding and leaking fluid into my abdomen. I was referred to a GYN oncologist in Jacksonville. I saw him this past Thursday. I was told this is a very slow growing cancer unlike the norm. They dont know a lot about it. They do have a few other patients in their practice with the same cancer. Had he done my surgery he would have biopsied the surrounding organs but not knowing what it was my gyn did not. He cleaned my abdomen out very well but that was the extent. I went for blood work the next day (inhibin A and B) which is the marker for this cancer. Once they get the # it will be the baseline to compare it to for the rest of my life. I'm scheduled fora PET Scan May 13, 2013 which will show if anything is enlarged or organs working overtime. I pray everything comes out fine. I was optimistic about this and the fact that if it comes back its usually like 10 years. After reading all of the stories here, I'm not so sure. Even if the Drs. don't know a lot about this, they sure could learn by reading all of them. I'm married (22yrs) and we have 5 children. I want to be around for a long time. I pray that something will be found to cure this cancer. And I pray for each and every one of you that have been diagnosed. I look forward to talking to you all and learning more. God Bless, Pam http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,71330,0.htm Marinemomq Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I was very happy to find this forum as this is the first time I've heard of anyone who has the same type of tumor.  I only learned this week that this is a type of ovarian cancer and I've had this disease for 11 years! My first experience (which sounds like so many others) was with a rather sudden, pretty excruciating, abdominal pain that eased up after a few hours.  My OB/GYN told me it was a ruptured ovarian cyst. Nothing more was done.  Then over the course of the next couple of years this happened at least 2 more times and each time getting much worse - pain lasting longer, not able to stand up for the dizziness and taking several days to ease up.  It must have been the 3rd time that the pain would not go away and radiated all over my abdoment.  I was sent for an abdominal ultrasound and first heard that word, "Mass".  Pretty scarey!  So surgery was less than a week later - total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy and general clean up from the ruptured cystic tumor.  I was floored 10 days later when I was told that the histology was questionable for small cell cancer or granulosa cell cancer so it was sent to Cambridge for a 2nd opinion.  The verdict came back granulosa cell and I breathed a big sigh of relief and merrily went on my way.  When I came back for follow-up I was told the tumor can come back and that there was a blood test that could track it...very expensive but I was advised to get it done at least every 6 months. Shortly after this we discovered my husband had end stage liver disease due to Hep C and we had to uproot, return to the US and start the process of being evaluated for liver transplant.  Needless to say, with all the ups and downs with that process, my own health concerns not only took a back burner but were shoved out of the kitchen entirely!!  Then came an episode....maybe 6 months after his transplant...when again I had this funny, escalating abdominal pain - this time more epigastric in region - and I had NO clue what it could be.  I left work and barely made it to an Urgent Care facility....where they happily decided that it must be a kidney stone!  They did no testing to confirm or deny this.  A month later I went to my GP and mentioned the episode and my concerns and she ordered a CT of the abdomen (without contrast) that showed nothing! A year later I finally decided to repeat my blood test for Serum Inhibin A and it was up!  My doctor now wanted an urgent CT - with and without contrast - and there was the grapefruit sized tumor!  The radiologist went so far as to say that comparing it to the previous year, they could see the tumor was present then!!  At this point I was linked up with a wonderful Gyne Oncologist who did my surgery, (five years after my previous surgery) removing multiple tumors and about 5 inches of my colon.   This doctor insisted on compliance with quarterly blood tests of both the Inhibin A and B. I have just returned from having my 3rd surgery - this about 5 years after the previous in 2006.  This time there was new technology - the Da Vinci system - so she was able to do the surgery robotically and was able to spot and remove tumors that were smaller that what she would have been able to see with the naked eye.  The recovery is going much better than the open surgery and I was back to work less than 3 weeks after surgery (although I would NOT recommend that to others - would wait at least 4 weeks!) We are continuing on the conservative treatment - monitoring the Serum Inhibins A & B every 3 months and I personally am following the alkalizing diet, no meat, no dairy and looking into the wheat grass thing.  Being a nurse, a patient and former researcher...I am determined that we, as a group, can help find....if not a total cure..then at least a way to stave off these recurrences for as long as possible! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,64984,0.htm StarryJones Sun, 11 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Hello,  My mom has Granulosa Cell Tumor. She is now stage 3c. She has had many surgeries and been on chemo on and off since first dx in 1981 (?) Shes been through a lot and is now facing this horrific disease once again. She has a large tumor in her pelvic region and multiple tiny tumors in her abdomen/pelvis area as well. It looks as though she will have to endure some hardcore chemo drugs this time around, and if those fail to be effective then I think surgery is the next choice. She is reluctant to have the surgery because she will have a colostomy. I am trying to find out more information on the different drugs she has mentioned to me, and also what the professionals say is the survival rate of someone who has recurring and worsening cancer. I am very concerned for her. She has been battling this disease since before I was born and I'm worried that she might not be so optimistic that things will work out for the best. She trys to play it off as not such a big deal, but I know deep down she is probably terrified. I was hoping someone could tell me where to look or who to call about treatment options as well as any other information that may be helpful. Cancer Treatment Centers of America doesn't treat her type of cancer, and she has been in contact with Dr.'s at MD Anderson in TX with previous issues. I know this is a slow growing tumor, yet it seems as though its grown quite a bit since her last check-up.  I don't know what I can do except to further educate myself on the subject and just be there for her. Any advice/guidance will help! Thanks! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,70854,0.htm ruddens Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT