Recurrent Clear cell OVCA showed sensitive to Carbo and Gem

My mom under went total hysterectomy with partial omentectomy in March 2006. When her CA 125 was 46.8.
Biopsy 1
Biopsy report revelaed 'CLEAR CELL' carcinoma of left ovary along with cervex.
Chemo:
Received 6 cycles of Cisplatin(300)+Taxol (60) upto September 2006.
CA 125 showed gradual decrease and remained stable from September 06 to in April 2007.CA 125 in April 2007=11.4.
In Dec 07(After 21 months) she was diagonised with an Omental cake of 3.17x2.7cm. Infracolic omentectomy done in January 08.
Biopsy 2:
Peretoneal washing showed no malignancies.but omental cake showed infiltrating malignant cells.
CA 125 came down to 22.4 in February 08.
Chemo 2:
4 cycles of lipodox(doxrubicin) and cyclophosphamide and 2 cycles of 5FU(Oral).
Again in September 08 her CA 125 showed increase to 128. And CT scan revealed only One 3.17x2.44Cm Retroperetonial coeliac node and after 3 months as doctor did not want to treat her based on 1 enlarged node she was found with another 2 small nodes in the same area (Anterior to AORTA) with Elevated CA-125 to 536.

She is now being treated with GEM+CARBO (1,2 and 8th day).1st cycle.

Her CA 125 has come down to 139 from 537 after 2 cycles of chemo therapy with Carbo+Gemzar. It seems it is working. Do we need to continue chemotherapy ? But doctor is asking us to decide as she has absolutely no problem and leading a very normal life and he would go longterm oral dose instead. but we seeing the drop of CA 125 have decided for another.

Anyone have any experience of isolated lymph node recureence followed by long term remission without surgery but by chemotherapy. As She is against surgery. Though surgery can be helpful but a substantial risk is also involved.

On 3/6/2009 indra wrote:

My mom under went total hysterectomy with partial omentectomy in March 2006. When her CA 125 was 46.8.
Biopsy 1
Biopsy report revelaed 'CLEAR CELL' carcinoma of left ovary along with cervex.
Chemo:
Received 6 cycles of Cisplatin(300)+Taxol (60) upto September 2006.
CA 125 showed gradual decrease and remained stable from September 06 to in April 2007.CA 125 in April 2007=11.4.
In Dec 07(After 21 months) she was diagonised with an Omental cake of 3.17x2.7cm. Infracolic omentectomy done in January 08.
Biopsy 2:
Peretoneal washing showed no malignancies.but omental cake showed infiltrating malignant cells.
CA 125 came down to 22.4 in February 08.
Chemo 2:
4 cycles of lipodox(doxrubicin) and cyclophosphamide and 2 cycles of 5FU(Oral).
Again in September 08 her CA 125 showed increase to 128. And CT scan revealed only One 3.17x2.44Cm Retroperetonial coeliac node and after 3 months as doctor did not want to treat her based on 1 enlarged node she was found with another 2 small nodes in the same area (Anterior to AORTA) with Elevated CA-125 to 536.

She is now being treated with GEM+CARBO (1,2 and 8th day).1st cycle.

Her CA 125 has come down to 139 from 537 after 2 cycles of chemo therapy with Carbo+Gemzar. It seems it is working. Do we need to continue chemotherapy ? But doctor is asking us to decide as she has absolutely no problem and leading a very normal life and he would go longterm oral dose instead. but we seeing the drop of CA 125 have decided for another.

Anyone have any experience of isolated lymph node recureence followed by long term remission without surgery but by chemotherapy. As She is against surgery. Though surgery can be helpful but a substantial risk is also involved.

Hello Indra,

I don't know if my situation is similar to your mom's, but I am on gemzar/carbo.  In 06 I had surgery for PPC then cisplatin/taxol.  I enjoyed a little over a year of remission then when the 125 went over 50 dr. did a PET which revealed quite a bit of cancer activity.  I don't know if it was in lymph nodes, but don't think so.  I began gemzar/carbo and it brought the 125 down immediately and I have enjoyed numbers less than 10 for the past 8 months.  The last PET scan showed a significant reduction in cancer cells, but my oncologist will keep me on gemzar/carbo every other week as long as it works.  She did indicate that there would be no further surgery but the chemo will contain the cancer cells.

I hope this is helpful.  I don't know of many who are on gemzr/carbo.  I would be interested in hearing how she is tolerating it.

DG

Thanks DG. Your news is really encouraging. My mom will undergo a CT scan test after 2 weeks and I will let you know. But good thing is She is doing great and other reports suggest that exclusive lymph node recurrences seem to have better prognosys.

I wish Gem and Carbo will do the miracle for you coz I heard from many who is living more than 10 years with the help of chemo only (Without resection).

Keep on posting.