Where To Go At Stage Iv With Growing Tumors?

My dear mother was diagnosed Feb 07 and has had surgery, chemo, yet the tumors are still growing. Her doc hesitates to remove 6 tumors due to 'scar tissue' and regular chemo is now ineffective. She is on another treatment (from Germany?) and I want to know about who you might suggest we see for current thinking/research in the US. She is in the Northeast and we can go anywhere. Also, at 71, mom is a model of health- fit, vegetarian for 25 years which makes this even more of a shock. Alternative treatments are options for us too. I fear her doc is not doing enough and hope you might know of other resources. What an awful disease...... Thank you,  Susan

Hi there Susan.

How are you? I am so sorry to hear about your mother. 

My mother was also diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian last October 2007 but she already had a "full hysterectomy" 9 years ago, she is now done with her 4th chemo but still her CA125 level is still at 1,995.   Her doctor told us that "maybe" she has what they call the "hard-headed" tumors and will change the chemo drug on her next chemo.

 Mind if I suggest you to go to the website of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center which is in New York City.  I heard that it's one of the best hospitals, you could contact them for the evaluation of your mother's case through fax.

 Take care & God bless.

Pie 

In addition, see below: National Institute of Health has a special Institute dedicated to Complementary and Alternative Medicine. In this Compass, there is a news item about  Timothy C. Birdsall, ND To CAM Advisory Council.

He may be a resource : a naturath, as may be other people on their advisory council. You could log onto their website.

 Best,

G.L. 

I can't say enough good things about Memorial Sloan Kettering.  Please call them.  All the gynecological oncologists there are first rate.

Hi, several years ago, two of us with advanced ovarian cancer asked our oncologist to recommend a consult, and he referred us to Dr. J.Tate Thigpen in Jackson, Mississippi. Yes! Mississippi. At that time he was considered the 'guru' on ovarian cancer and people from all over the world come to consult with him. He has been Vice Chair of Clinical Trials at National Institute of Health. I saw him. I had to send my pathology slides and all imaging studies,  CT"s, MRI's, etc. He was very generous with his time and the costs were EXTREMELY reasonable. He was able to make further recommendations about surgeons, etc. When needing a consult, it is important to identify A  PERSON, not necessarily an institution.

I share the previous writer recommendation that for integrative medicine, Sloan Kettering with Barrie Casileth as the director of the program is highly reputable.  g.