A Ovarian cancer recurrence It means that the disease has returned after having entered into remission or having been declared disease free. While survival rates for people with recurring ovarian cancer are currently about 3 out of 10, knowing their Risks, that defends For yourself, and actively participate in your treatment and attention you can improve your result and perspective.
We talked to Blair McNamara, MD, a gynecological oncologist of the Yale University Faculty and Member of the Healthywomen Women’s Health Advisory Council about recurring ovary cancer and its evolutionary treatment options.
How likely ovarian cancer is repeated?
Ovarian cancer recurrence rates depend on the tumor stage to the diagnosis, their age and factors that tell us how aggressive cancer is: the degree or histology. The majority of high -grade ovarian cancer patients will be diagnosed with stage 3 or stage 4. More than 7 out of 10 of these patients will experience a recurrence of their disease in the first five years.
Read: what you need to know about ovarian cancer >>
How is recurring ovary cancer?
Recurrent ovary cancer can sometimes be treated surgically if it has had a disease free of six months or more, and if the disease is not widespread. Otherwise, and even after surgery, recurring ovarian cancer is treated with chemotherapy.
What does platinum resistant cancer mean?
Platinum resistant ovarian cancer means that a patient’s cancer has returned within six months after the completion of chemotherapy that included a platinum agent. In general, the agent is carboplatinthat works preventing cancer cells from being repaired or copied.
Is treatment different for platinum resistant cancer?
Yes. In platinum resistant ovarian cancer, surgery is generally not considered and no carboplatin treatment is offered. There are many other chemotherapies that can be used to treat platinum resistant ovary cancer, and many of them are newer and more directed therapies. We used to tell patients that chemotherapy is much less likely to work once they have a platinum resistant disease. However, that is no longer the case with these new therapies, and treatment depends on the specific circumstance of a patient.
What are biomarkers and what biomarkers are connected to ovarian cancer and recurrence?
Biomarkers They are measurable chemicals in the body that may indicate the presence or progression of ovarian cancer, as well as their response to treatment. A blood test for CA-125 is often used in patients with ovarian cancer, since oncologists can help determine what their response to chemotherapy and detect the recurrence of ovarian cancer. The tumors themselves can have different biomarkers identified after initial surgery. These biomarkers can influence therapy for initial and recurring ovarian cancer.
How do the results of biomarker tests influence the treatment options?
With new treatments for platinum resistant ovarian cancer in development and approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), certain tumor biomarkers suggest that a patient’s cancer will respond to directed chemotherapy. These directed therapies are becoming more common, and oncologists will determine what treatments can have the biology of their tumor. For example, if tumors have Homologous recombination deficiencyOr HRD, patients can be eligible for certain oral maintenance treatment options to prevent cancer from returning.
What factors should you consider when you weigh your treatment options?
The first thing your supplier will see when determining your treatment options is the nature of your cancer. For example, the stage, the qualification, the location and any biomarker information available to you. When making decisions about which treatment plan to proceed, you should consider how well chemotherapy tolerated during your initial treatment and discuss changes in your chemotherapy based on how well the initial treatment tolerated. Be sure to think about any other health problem that you have and what activities are most important for you, so you can prioritize them and discuss with your oncologist if the side effects of the treatment can be brought on the way to do the things you love. It is also possible that you want to consider joining a clinical trial, which could make new treatments available to you.
This educational resource was created with support from Daiichi Sankyo.
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