What is the treatment for my recurrent ovarian cancer at 60?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 60-year-old female with recurrent clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. I had surgery to remove it six years ago, without any chemotherapy. I had undergone surgery again recently; however, some cancerous tissue remains. What treatment is recommended, and what are the survival rates?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

In recurrence of ovarian cancer, six cycles of chemotherapy, injection of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin every three weeks should be done. After six cycles of chemotherapy, a repeat scan will be done to see the status of the cancerous ovary. It is to check how much the cancer has responded and plan accordingly.

After each chemotherapy cycle, a cancer antigen (CA 125) should be measured. It should keep decreasing. The decreasing trend will also show that the cancer is responding. In case CA 125 starts increasing, a PET-CT scan should be done early. Usually, such cancers respond well.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, it is for clear cell carcinoma. It should be given every three weeks for six cycles. Some doctors prefer to give it every week for 18 weeks. This way, they give small doses every week. But it increases hospital visits and costs. So I like to give it for three weeks. I feel that toxicities can happen in weekly doses also.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.