Clear cell ovarian cancer

Hi CJ2 

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

I've had a look through the group for previous posts which mention clear cell ovarian cancer and found these for you to have a look through. You could reply to some of them if you wanted to join in the conversation.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Hi CJ2

I am sorry to hear of your Clear cell ovarian cancer. I hope that you are recovering well from your hysterectomy. 

My own cancer was endometrial but also a rare aggressive type and I did have the chemo that you are likely to be offered. 

Clear cell is a type of cancer that can affect the ovaries and sometimes the womb lining. It is called clear cell simply because of how the cells look when examined under the microscope. 

Whilst it can behave more aggressively than other types of ovarian cancer it is promising that yours has been caught at the earliest stage 1. This is good because the cancer has been confined to the ovary and not spread further afield. 

When a cyst ruptures during surgery there is a chance that cancer cells may have escaped and in time this could cause a potential problem. This is why they are offering your adjuvant chemotherapy. It is to mop up any tiny cancer cells that may remain. 

Whilst clear cell may not respond as effectively to chemo as other types- carboplatin and paclitaxel tend to be offered as the most effective treatment. So the two chemo drugs will work together as a sort of mop up, just in case any tiny cells have escaped. However the main cancer was still confined to the ovary. 

These links will explain a bit more. They also link you specifically to ovarian cancer and gynae cancer charities. 

Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer | Ovacome

Clear cell ovarian cancer  - The Eve Appeal

Hope this helps a bit.

I wish you well with your chemo. 

Jane

Many thanks Jane

Hi CJ2 I was diagnosed with clear cell ovarian cancer and had debulking surgery October last year...I started chemotherapy in March and have now finished 6 rounds...last month I had a CT scan to check on everything and I'm pleased to say at the moment I'm in remission as there were no signs of cancer..I was obviously a bit scared when I read it is an aggressive form that doesn't respond to chemotherapy,I think alot depends on how early it's caught and how good your surgery is..I was staged 1C so like you very lucky it hadn't. spread...I'm just going to try and keep a positive mind set..I hope you get through the chemotherapy ok...I'm glad I had it just as you say to mop up any cells...yes it can be hard going but now I'm out the other side and ready to carry on with life.

Sending good wishes 

Hi Fluffy - glad all well with you - have been, up until now, focusing totally on how lucky I am for it to have been diagnosed so early - nothing has changed aged but I started fixating on the clear cell bit. Glad to hear you are having scans - wasn’t sure if it was just going to be blood tests but seeing as that didn’t show up anything for me originally didn’t feel very reassuring. 

Think I need to go back to feeling lucky it was causing so early! 

best of luck to you going forward - hope you stay clear! 

Hi I totally understand I started googling about the clear cell and it scared me to death!..

reading the forums and seeing how many women have fought back from advanced cancer reassured me a bit that it wasn't the worst case scenario...it's a comfort to know we will be having scans and check ups to monitor any return.

I hope I've given you a little bit of positivity in what can seem an overwhelming and scary time when your first faced with the diagnosis.

Xx

Did you have a scan half way through your chemo or did it start 3 months after? It has been 4 months since my hysterectomy now but I have had 3 of 6 chemo rounds. 

I had my scan 2 weeks after last chemo round,they waited till I'd had my 5th round before booking it,then once I had my results I had an appointment with the chemotherapy consultant to discuss results,which was mid August,now I'll be back under my gynecology oncologist to discuss follow ups etc.

Thanks Fluffy. 
wishing you all the best for permanent remission!

Thank you...All the best to you for the future