On 8/12/2009
Richa wrote:
Hi,
My mom(60 years) has been recently diagnosed with stage iii MMMT ovarian cancer.She had the surgery on the 22nd of July 09.We got the biopsy report which says that she has MMMT.It also says that, it has not spread to the uterus or the fallopian tubes which have have also been removed during the surgery.The fluids tested negative as well.Her CA 125 level before the surgery was normal.We have an appointment with the oncologist on Monday(17th Aug 09) for the next plan of treatment.
In the mean time I had gone to another doc for second opinion and he says that chemotherapy or radiation is not very useful for MMMT ovarian cancer and feels that we should just wait and watch and suggested that we get another MRI done after 6 weeks of surgery to check the recurrance.
Can anyone help us with more information??
We really need help.
Best Regards,
Richa...
I am so sorry to hear about your mom.Her case is so similar to mine. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 1 year ago on May 1st and the pathology came in as stage 2b mmmt. I had a complete hysterectomy except for the cervix and that was followed by 5 weeks of radiation as soon as I recovered from the surgery. The radiation was followed by 6 months of chemo paclitaxel & carboplatin. I lost my hair but it has grown back now and the treatments went well. I have just turned 60 and I look and feel healthy.
You should know that this is a very aggressive cancer and the doctors tend to treat it as a regular ovarian cancer because they really don't know much about it. I can tell you that although I hold hope that I will survive, there is no evidence in the literature that I will. As far as I can find out, the average life span after discovery tends to be about 3 years. It's so hard to believe, isn't it. When I ask my oncology team how they will determine if it is back they tell me that if it comes back, it's back for good and they wouldn't treat until I have symptoms. It's taken me a long time to get my head around that fact but I have finally realized why they have said that. It's because there is no point in making me miserable with chemo if I am feeling good..... it's better to enjoy what life I have left because they have no scientific evidence that they can cure after a recurrance. In actuality, my best chance was with how well the surgeon debulked the tumor and then the followup radiation and chemo.
My advice would be not to wait and see but to treat it as aggressively as possible soon. The doctors only seem to know the general prognosis which is dismal. I have researched mmmt but I have failed to come up with any studies that indicate anything other than what I have told you. Most studies have few participants due to this very rare cancer and therefore the results have little value.
Tell your mom to try and stay positive. I have found that visualization, meditation and prayer have kept me in a good space. I would be happy to talk to you or your mom if you want because I know how lonely it can be to have this diagnosis. The biggest fight is to maintain a positive attitude.