Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer v Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer?

Hi Lindy55 welcome to the forum and sorry that you have not had a reply as yet..My Cancer was different to yours so I don't have the expertise and first hand knowledge you are asking for. However, by my answering your post it will bump it to the top of the thread where I'm sure someone will be along to help with your query. Best Wishes Gail xxx

Hi Lindy55

I am sorry to hear that you are having chemotherapy for your ovarian cancer. 

My own cancer was endometrial but the treatment can be very similar. I had a high grade cancer and it was treated with surgery first, followed by chemo (paclitaxel and carboplatin) and then I had radiotherapy. 

I remember that when my post op results came back they were unexpected and can understand that it can throw you for a bit. 

Firstly I would say that any lower grade cancer is going to be more positive than a higher grade one- even if it is a rarer one. (Mine was also rare) 

Secondly it is positive that with the final pathology results that they are reviewing your treatment to make sure it is effective as possible. 

A stage 3 cancer is where the cancer has spread a little but it is still in the local area. With a higher grade ovarian cancer then it can often mean some chemo to try and shrink things and then this is followed with surgery to try to remove all visible cancer. Sometimes there is then some more chemo to deal with anything left behind. 

You are right in thinking that some types of chemo may not be as effective with the LGSOC- particularly the platinum based chemos such as carboplatin. It does not mean that others could not be used effectively.

It sounds like they are now considering doing the surgery. The other possible treatments that they could offer afterwards are called targeted therapies and also hormonal therapies. Sometimes they will do a combination of different treatments. However any treatment plan is going to be tailored to your individual circumstances to ensure the best results. 

I hope that you do not have to wait to hear from the MDT and get confirmation of which treatment is best for you.

In the meantime, please do give the Support Line a call if you feel like talking things through would help.

Jane

Hi Jane

Thank you for sharing your experience. It does feel like I've been thrown a bit with this new information. May I ask if you've have had any reaccurance since your surgery and follow up treatment?

In September I will be 3 years post treatment of high grade endometrial cancer. I have had no recurrence. I was seen every 12 weeks for 2 years for checks and am now on patient led follow up