multiple micro tumors on bladder

• By llj
• Posted November 8, 2009 at 2:09 am
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I have IIIc ovca. My surgery was Memorial Day last year and I finished chemo Oct. 4 last year. I relapsed this summer -- July or August. Now, the pet scan shows activity in lymph nodes in the area where the aorta splits into two large arteries, one for each leg. Also, in my mesentery, also a growth just in front of, but not on, the pacreas, the lower spine area, and I also have lymph node involvement in the right breast.
The doctor has put me on Tamoxifen and it is reducing the cancer. Whatever medicine the doc puts you on, my doctor says it is going through my bloodstream and therefore treating my whole body. There is a medicine out there that will work for you.

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• By verlinda
• Posted November 8, 2009 at 6:00 am
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I haven't had a recurrence, but several ladies in the Louisville support group have had several and are still going. Some have retired, some were already retired, and one lady has had over 200 chemos and is now on Tamoxifen. She continued to work throughout most of the chemos and is working now.

I know that isn't what any of us want to experience, but it's a comfort to know someone who is undergoing the "chronic disease" treatment who just keeps going!

Hang in there! If these tumors are cancer, it may be the next treatment obliterates them.

Blessings.

Hang in there!

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• By RhodaLois
• Posted November 8, 2009 at 10:39 am
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I've had two recurrences and expect to have more. The first was a 'thing' next to my liver but not attached and the one most recenet was another 'thing' in the peritoneum. That's the problem with chronic OVCA...you have no doors in your belly and those damn microscopic cancer cells can pop up anywhere. The first recurrence was treated successfully with doxil, then when I couldn't tolerate that, gemzar. This recurrence has been treated with topotecan and I'm awaiting results of Thursday's CAT scan. Halfway through, however, the walnut sized tumor was still there but had not grown and there were no others. Perhaps it's gone now. Doc explained this will be my life now. Being on top of it, treating it and living with it. I gave up my stressful position in April to deal with this and just accepted a market research job that is very flexible and near my residence. Living with cancer is a full time job, I find. Good luck!

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• By lifeisgrand
• Posted November 8, 2009 at 11:01 am
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God bless. I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this so soon. Has there been any change in your CA125 prior to your surgery? Normally you see that go up before you see tumors on the CT so I guess having the surgery is finding it earlier than you would have.

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• By Brown_Eyes
• Posted November 8, 2009 at 11:02 am
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I have tiny cysts on the lower poles of my kidneys, just found out by reading my CT report. I'm going to ask my Dr about what that means when I see him Weds. I have no idea!

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• By Mimi25
• Posted November 8, 2009 at 11:58 am
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Dear Pockets,
I have now recurred twice...the first time the doctor removed a foot of my colon and my omentum, plus various other bits and pieces with cancer. This time, he took out the few largest to send for testing, but was unable to remove the "hundreds" of small tumors all through my abdomen. At this point it is now "peritoneal". The tests on my tumors came back showing I am now resistant to almost all chemos. The only hopeful one was a combination of Gemzar and Carbo (the combination was less resistant than either one alone). In addition, we were finally able to add Avastin. My doctor did a very wise thing (I think)...he started me on a 1/2 dose of Gemzar, so that my counts wouldn't drop so low. The next time, he increased the dose by 30% and my CA125 came in with a big drop!! I've only had two Avastin treatments and we don't know if that is working yet, but are praying. As I have now had 11 total Carbos, I am also praying that I continue to tolerate it, as it is needed to make the Gemzar effective. I suggest that you have your tumors tested for both regular chemo and the new targeted drugs to see what will work for you. We all seem to respond differently. If the Avastin works, I'm hoping to continue on it as a maintenance regimen (with or without an additional chemo). This combination has been a good one for me with few side effects other than tiredness. I continue to have great hope, as new treatments seem to come on the scene every day. I am also amazed at the resilience, fortitude and bravery of the women on this site. We each do what we have to do. Take care and let us know what you and your doctor decide.
Mimi

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