I came across this article written by a Doctor
would like to share it with you all
Rare Ovarian Cancer More Difficult to Treat
Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma Resists Chemotherapy
A rare type of ovarian cancer, recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma, does not respond well to chemotherapy and is more difficult to treat than more common high-grade ovarian cancers, study results say.
The research, conducted at M. D. Anderson, was reported in March during the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists Annual Meeting on Women's Cancers.
Significance of research
This retrospective study is the first to look at how low-grade recurrent ovarian tumors respond to chemotherapy.
The results support a growing body of research that shows low-grade ovarian tumors behave differently than other ovarian cancer tumors and are more resistant to chemotherapy than other ovarian cancers, says lead author David Gershenson, M.D., professor and chair of M. D. Anderson�s Department of Gynecologic Oncology.
Low-grade serous carcinoma represents about 10% of serous ovarian cancers.
Background
Because low-grade serous ovarian cancer is so resistant to treatment, a standard of care does not exist.
In addition, there is no universal grading system for the cancer. Consequently, there are variations in classifying and treating the disease.
Research methods
Researchers searched patient databases to identify women treated for recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary at M. D. Anderson from 1990 through 2007.
Primary results
The database search revealed 52 patients who had one or more of 98 different chemotherapy regimens including platinum-based chemotherapies in which patients were sensitive (more responsive) and resistant (unresponsive) to treatment.
The researchers found that the:
Overall response rate was 4%
Response rate in platinum-sensitive disease was 6%
Overall response rate in platinum-resistant disease was 2%
Of all the treatments, 62% stabilized the disease for a median of 22 weeks.
Additional results
Gershenson said these results compare unfavorably to treatment of more common ovarian cancers.
"It is unclear whether the high rate of stable disease is more reflective of tumor biology of low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or of the therapy regimen administered,� he says.
What�s next?
Since these tumors do not respond well to conventional chemotherapies, new agents to treat them must be identified and tested, Gershenson says.
Hormonal therapy, which has shown some activity against low-grade serous carcinoma, warrants further exploration, he says. M. D. Anderson plans a detailed analysis of its experience with hormonal therapy in the near future.
Recognizing the need for more research, the Gynecologic Oncology Group, a National Cancer Institute-funded cooperative group, recently established a rare tumor committee that has initiated a separate series of clinical trials for recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma, as well as for other rare ovarian cancers.
Adapted by Dawn Dorsey from an M. D. Anderson news release
M. D. Anderson resources:
Ovarian cancer
David M. Gershenson, M.D.
Gynecologic Oncology Center
Department of Gynecologic Oncology
Other resources:
Overview: Ovarian cancer (American Cancer Society)
Gynecologic Oncology Group
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Rare Ovarian Cancer More Difficult to Treat Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma Resi
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Taxol Chemotherapy Pain Carboplatin Stress Ovarian cancer
13 replies
- Oldest first
- Newest first
- By mixy
- Posted January 6, 2009 at 9:49 pm
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I am doing a trial for low grade at md anderson. I have been on it for almost four months. I have scans this Friday to check progress. Last time it was stable. I had been in remission for about a year before a recurrence. I hope it is working since chemo does not always work for low grade.
- By Shelter
- Posted January 7, 2009 at 9:29 am
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what kind of Trial...?
I would like to tell my Doctor.... about other treatmes being oferred to people
- By carla75
- Posted January 7, 2009 at 12:24 pm
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hi, i'm interested in what you're taking as well. i have low grade and just started femara. i completed the standard 6 treatments in May 2007 and my Dec CT scan showed a small nodule....my Ca125 was slightly elevated. My doc wants to try femara...I'll have my next CT scan and bloodwork at the end of Feb.
- By Shelter
- Posted January 7, 2009 at 3:27 pm
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I was at my naturopath today- and asked
can I fight this with chemo having such low
reports on affecting low grade.....
'being that mine islow grade , she said YES; we can do this naturopathically...... and spent some times going over the immune system, the lymphatic system...
and what I need to boost, clear, cleanse & protect my cells
Still interested in what Trial approach Dr's are using in other places
the only option here was carbo & taxol
and the actual success rate is low & the mortality due to the treatmetn is way to high... for me....
and the drin the article said
WE NEED a new TREATMENT that works.....
like he is saying
Helloooooooooooo fellow doctors ???? Lets dooo something
any way.... my hearts desire is to see
effective treatment & of course good response... and a LIFE well lived...
Quality of LIFE counts
-- tttfn
MA
- By Kellie63
- Posted January 8, 2009 at 12:15 pm
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You know I went through 9 rounds of Taxol and Carbo and my cancer never stopped growing. Now that it is my liver and because of the placement it is inoperable (spelling? ..LOL) I wished when I was filled with the overwhelming thought of cancer stage 3b. I had all this information. My oncologist insisted this was the only way I had a chance to live. This is way I love this site,. Such beauty people educating each other about a cancer that varys so much.
Warm and healing thoughts to you
Kellie
- By Shelter
- Posted January 8, 2009 at 4:39 pm
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Dear Kellie
my naturopath told me of a very powerful suppliment used all over the world, esp in JAPAN even in hospitals
to take... it helps our bodies natural killer cells go after abnormal cell.s
she also recomended.... otehr stuff... to protect my cells, like it makes sheilds around cells...
and otehr suppliment to stop Mets....
woudl you like more info?
I can post if you are interested....
I wish WE ALL knew..... longgggggggggggg AGO
Nuterician & suppliments.. and
how LIVE Well before we had cancer...
how ever
we know NOW
and we Live in the NOW
soo embreace what we know NOW.. and we can learn from it together....
I am learning so much... I feel like my heads gona burst...
like WOW Awesome
and Im a sponge give me MORE
((hugs))
MA
- By mrynorman
- Posted August 18, 2009 at 5:14 pm
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I just read this and I am one that has been diagnois with serous carcinoma, low grade. I am seeing my Oncologist on Thurs, Aug 20 to find out what treatment I will be getting. They mentioned before that either 3 treatments or monitoring, now I am very scared as the treatments don't work well for this kind of cancer.
- By gg1
- Posted August 19, 2009 at 7:49 am
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I have low grade ovca and I am on femara. I am also having many side effects from the femara. Anyway ......I would luv luv luv to know what type of supplements have been recomended to you for chemo resistant disease. I'm like you in that I feel like a sponge soaking up all this new infornation, I have made so many changes, it's all so facinating. I feel that I am getting better everyday in everyway! Thanks in advance and God bless you!
- By Shelter
- Posted August 19, 2009 at 7:59 am
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Helloooo to both of you
I hope that you indeed read this -
I had 5 rounds of chemotherapy...
and my doctor was well aware of the " %" response rate
to chemo
I had 1 round with both taxol & Carboplatin...
2nd round they stopped the taxol ( I had allergic reaction in chair)
then next 4 rounds were just Carboplatin
I daily take
Essiac 1 Tbsp, with a little water am & pm
I also drink
1tsp lemon juice in hot water everyday ( or try too)
I take other supplements will write a new note as soon s I return form doctors appointment in 15 !!!!!!!!!!!!! minutes
yikes gotta run
ttfn
MA
- By cdbart
- Posted August 19, 2009 at 11:42 am
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Did they mention the rare varieties? I have a Brenner's variety but I know little about it since there is little know about it.
- By Shelter
- Posted August 19, 2009 at 12:25 pm
- Report post
The article above is something I came across before starting Chemotherapy...
In January the day of Chemo I had a Doctors appointment first... I showed him teh article & comented on the results...
He knew of the article & said "Well then I cant lie to you can I ? " -
One of the things I hope for is that a New More effective treatment is found.....
Naturopathic or Regular Medicine...
as long as something is found that has a High response rate,.- and awesome sucess...
someone asked about what I take now
Hot Lemon ( 1 tsp Lemon juice in 1cup hot water) – detoxifies Liver
Currently Taking:
Kinoka GOLD ( AHCC) 2 caps / 500 mg 2 times a day
Essiac 4 Tsp in a little water 2 times a day
Multi vitamin, Vit D,
Papya 1 tab,
1-2 caps acidophilus
aloe vera gel caps
milk thistle- for liver support
it ws also recomended to me to take otehr supplements
however... our finacial abiltiy to do so is strained
I also eat differntly after reading about
toxins...
I cant stress enough or recomend enough
a book called Balance- written by a cancer OVERCOMER - Susan Manion MacDonald
although she faced a differnt cancer
she brings out in an eay to read book...
much need information on our bodies system
and repair needs
support,..
I daily eat 1/2 c blueberries for breakfast, sometims I substitue for mixed berries..
but also eat it with eitehr yogurt/ cottage cheese / quark mixed with.. 1Tbsp of Flax oil
Breads & Sugards NEED to be eliminated, becaue the cancer feeds off of sugar & most of us with cancer also have candidia overgrowth
Find youself a good naturopath...
INfared Suana's also recomended...
I need to get abck into doing that & also need to see my naturopath now that Chemo is completed...
I was on a medication for the periphial nerve pain called _ nortrypline - but its caused me problems also had the worst 2 months post chemo
and I had 2 months prior that were better in energy, so Dr today suggested we stop the nortrypline...
and I see her fequently...
any other questions I am here
Find Pleasure in your Days
Blesings
Mary Anne
see BUDWIG diet Protocol
- By Shelter
- Posted August 19, 2009 at 12:26 pm
- Report post
Brenenrs variety?? have not heard of that at all
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