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Stage ivb -- or is it?

JamesYSK
  • 2 replies
  • 41 subscribers
  • 479 views

Hi,

My wife was diagnosed with Stage IVB endometrial serous sarcoma in early May.  The reason it is stage 4 was that a biopsy revealed the cancer in a lymph node (I forget the name of the actual lymph node).  She has now undergone 3 sessions of chemo and her CA125 marker (after 2 sessions has gone down to 51 (after being in the hundreds).

My question is...  Is it possible for this chemo to have destroyed the cancer in the lymph node BEFOE it spreads to another organ -- or just being in the lymph node means it's just a matter of time before it 'appears' in another organ.

Obviously, I want us much hope as possible...  

Kind regards,

  • Hello jamesskyoung,

     

    Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Denise, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line. Welcome to the online community.

     

    I am sorry to read about your wife’s stage IVB endometrial serous sarcoma diagnosis which has spread to her lymph nodes and having to undergo chemotherapy. It is reassuring her CA125 results are improving after two sessions of chemotherapy indicating the treatment is helping.

     The aim of the chemotherapy is to destroy the cancer cells present in one’s lymphatic system, but it is difficult to predict if all the cancer cells will by destroyed by chemotherapy or if they have already managed to escape from the lymphatic system. How effective a chemotherapy is will be evaluated after the treatment has finished. I understand the uncertainty of waiting must be extremely difficult.

     

    It must be a very stressful time for both of you and if you feel you may benefit from emotional support please read about what help is available here. The Anxiety UK is a good source for help with anxiety and mental health and you can access their site here. For people affected by cancer Macmillan is offering free counselling or Macmillan Buddies service.

     

    I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

     

    The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

     

    Best wishes, Denise

     

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

     

    Ref/DK/LZD

  • in reply to Denise - Macmillan

    Tx Denise.  Hope is all we have of course and we try and grab on to whatever light there may be.  It is undoubtably a hard time and I appreciate you taking the time to respond.  tx again

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