chemo for peritoneum/ovarian cancer

Hi all - This is a post on behalf of my sister who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  After 5 cycles of carbo-taxol (and numerous other problems such as an ileostomy due to blockage, platelet levels, dehydration, ascites fluid, breathing problems, etc.) she was supposed to have surgery to remove any tumours.  The surgeon said that she has small cancer cells everywhere in the peritoneum and did not do any surgery.  This was very disappointing news.  She has been told that she can take the same carbo-taxol chemo or caelyx.  She is inquiring as to whether she actually has ovarian or peritoneum cancer (I have read that they are similar), but would like to know what chemo worked best for anyone on this site for their peritoneal cancer. The doctors are not giving her a great deal of hope, and even suggested that she may want to just let things run the course.  I am telling her to keep fighting - that even a 10-20% success rate may include her, you just never know.  Someone fits into that success rate.  Any other information about successful treatment would be greatly appreciated so that I can share it with her.  I have also posted on the ovarian cancer site just in case someone there can provide anything.  Thanks so much, and all the best to everyone.  Barb

My mom was diagnosed on Sep 16th 2008with PPC. She had 3 cycles Taxol/Carbo and the leasons shrinked after that she had surgery had 3 more cycles of Taxpl/Carbo and was recomended intraperetanial chemo. After first treatment she had problem with her liver, she had to have ERCP (stent to drain gall blader) they stoped intraperetanial chemo and our doctor said to us she is platin resistence. she is on Topoekan right now. How your sister was diagnosed? How old is she? Did they do Scan after Tacol/Carbo treatment? Please ask me if y have any question. I hope your sister feels good. What state do you live? 

Hello - Thank you for responding.  My sister had ascites fluid in her stomach and was diagnosed Stage III - she has had numerous problems since, including a bowel blockage leading to an ileostomy.  She was supposed to have surgery - hysterectomy and remove other tumours, but the surgeon said that there were cancer cells everywhere and did not feel that surgery would help - just add to her healing time.  I am surprised that some test/scan did not indicate this prior to her being prepared for surgery - I guess they couldn't tell this until they actually opened her up.  She is 62 yrs old and lives in Canada.  She has asked about the IP Chemo - in the stomach, but the Onco do not recommend this for her treatment.  She may go on caelyx or doxil next week, but I was hoping that others might give some info on what worked for them, even if it is for a period of time, and then she may have to change chemo or take a break.  If anyone has any suggestions, thank you.  Wishing the best.  Barb