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Interpretation of medical reports

Orionis
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Hi,

This is about my sister (42) lives in Bangladesh. Though Iive in the UK, I am one of her primary caree.

She was diagnosed with 3rd stage Ovarian cancer in 2023. She has high grade endometrial adenocarcinoma. She had viable tumours in ovaries and multiple places.

In April 2024, she had a full hysterectomy surgery with both ovaries removed. She had around 10 cycles of chemotherapy (before and after the surgery). She was in good health condition after her surgerfor almost a year. 

Her BRCA 1 and 2 test results are positive.

At the beginning of this year her endometrial and bilateral carcinoma is showing in hepatic nodules of liver, pelvic nodes, peritoneal node in right para colic gutter, adrenal nodules and umbilical hernia. 

Her doctor says her condition is not good and it will be worsening in near future. I presume he might suggest this is her fourth stage. I could not talk to her Onchlogist directly as he is not available for online conversation. However, I have all medical test reports of my sister in hand.

It would be great if an expert from McMillan would help me to interpret the reports and understand what is her condition and decide what should be our next step: continuing chemo or going through palliative care.

I am looking forward to hearing from you. 

Thank you

Orionis

  • Dear  

    Thanks for getting in touch on our Online Community, I’m Sue one of the cancer information nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.  I’ve noticed you are also a member of the bowel and ovarian cancer forum and hope you are finding both of these helpful.

    We appreciate this must be a difficult time for you worrying about your sister and what is happening with her ovarian cancer.  Having as much clinical  information, including genetic testing results and understanding of any changes can sometimes help in supporting a loved one.

    Because your sister lives in Bangladesh, if I can first explain our limitations as nurses on the Macmillan support line. We are a UK only based cancer charity and are unable to offer information about other countries and their healthcare cancer services. The charity Cancer Research UK has information about overseas organisations which you may find helpful.

    We are also unable to help with interpreting specific clinical information about someone’s medical records (including in the UK), as we don’t have access to NHS medical records.

    We do however offer lots of general information on our website about both ovarian cancer and bowel cancer, these also help to explain the stage and grade of a cancer and NHS treatments in the UK. This may help to provide some understanding; we also have some questions to ask which may be useful.

    We would encourage trying to contact your sister’s oncologist by another method if this is possible, or if there is a family member supporting your sister in Bangladesh, they may be able to help you with finding out more information from the hospital team on your behalf.

    Your understanding from the doctor is her condition is not good, and she is likely to worsen in the future, this must be emotionally difficult to hear. Generally, if someone’s cancer has spread to a different part of the body or come back, it is classed as an advanced cancer. Cancer Research UK explain more about stage 4 ovarian cancer.

    We would always say any decisions about continuing treatment include lots of different factors, both from a clinical perspective and the individual themselves. For this reason, we would encourage your sister speaking to her hospital team as they are best placed to be able to support her with making future decisions about treatment and palliative care.

    Sending best wishes

    Sue

    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 send us an email. 

    Ref/ EM

    Sue Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
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