Ovarian Cancer Life Expectancy

Question: Whats the life expectancy for Ovarian Cancer? My mother was just told she has this, After 2 years of complaining of symtoms to her family doctor. He always blew it off as Menopause and never ordered any test. She went to another doctor for something totally unrelated and was sent for a battery of test. She has stage 2 cancer and is now undergoing surgery next week. I am her daughter and I'm freaking out in all directions, and trying to stay calm and collected around her. I just need any help in this department, thank you all so much.

Answer: My sister had Ovarian cancer at the age of 36. I can't give you the life expectancy however. She's 84 now, still alive. :-) I know how frightening the word cancer is. But they can do some amazing things now, even with stage 4 cancer (the worst stage). Four years ago my cousin was given 3 months to live, a fact she reminds her doctor of with every checkup. The best thing you can do is listen to your mother's fears, listen to her instructions about what to do if she doesn't make it. Don't dismiss her concerns as though she has nothing more wrong than a cold because that dismisses the importance of her life. But be positive for both of you. AFTER the surgery, go on line, research. Ease your mind that the doctor is doing everything possible to insure her complete recovery. I am so sorry that you and your mother have to go through this. Please keep in mind that you cannot cure her no matter how much you wish it. Also understand that she is capable of making her own decisions and it is her right to do so. Those are the hardest two things you can do and the most important.

Question: What is the average life expectancy of an ovarian cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy? the patient is in her late forties, in good health and had stage III ovarian cancer it wasn't metastasized to any other organ she had her surgery done and her ovaries and uterus were removed during the surgery now she is undergoing chemotherapy with paclitaxel (intravenous) with cycles spaced at every 3 weeks

Answer: I'm sorry that someone you know is going through this now. The fact that it hasn't metastasized, obviously gives her a much better chance for a long and normal life span. Each person will react to the chemotherapy differently. Hopefully, she will do well with this drug. No one, not even a doctor, can say for certain what the outcome will be or predict her life expectancy. Not at this point, anyway. I wish her all the best. And remember that modern medicine has come a very long way.

Question: What happens in the 4th stage of ovarian cancer How long is life expectancy in this final stage? My best friend is in stage 4 of ovarian cancer. She has hospice at her house. It seems to me, that she only has a few weeks left to live. Can she continue to live for 3 or 4 more months? Or does it depend of the individual person? Her cancer has spread to many of her organs.

Answer: This link provides the information and statistics. It's very much of a downer. I am sorry you have this misfortune.

Question: What is the life expectancy of a person that has ovarian cancer? A friend of mine has ovarian cancer and, is in remission. She's had some chemo-therapy but has stopped, she's also refused to take the meds to keep it at bay. And because the chemo, she's now anemic. Can anybody tell me what her life expectancy is? she doesn't want me to be too concerned about it either----how should I cope with her indifferent attitude about her condition, especially since I love & care about her so much?

Answer: it depends on the treatment taken and the severity of it i had it but caught it in time it is hard to say you will have to consult a doctor and see what level you are at

Question: DEAR HOPE WHO HAD A ? ABOUT HER STAGE 4 OVARIAN CANCER N HER LIFE EXPECTANCY!? U posted a question asking what ur life expectancy was since u now have satge 4 ovarian cancer. I don't know why someone accused me of talking crap or gave me thumbs down and I don't care about that- I do however want 2 make sure u read my entire answer. I asked u to add a detail telling me what city ur in so I could give u the phone # to the cancer center of america nearest u. I just checked it out n that's when I saw I got the bad reviews and that u didn't post ur city. U also don't allow emails which is y I'm doing this! PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP! Maybe I came across like a butthead in my answer but that's what I really wanted u 2 hear from me- DON'T GIVE UP! Pls -somehow!- plz let me get u the # for c.c. of a. Do what I said about getting ur records! Decide ur going to fight this because its still possible u can beat this! My best friend gave up and passed away and I really don't think she had to die! She never wanted to talk about it- wouldn't share with me- and lied to me about going to treatment. My mother in law got the job at c.c. of a. 1 month after my leslie died. I feel like the "powers-that-be" owe me one! Please- if ur reading this hope- its a sign that u can beat it AGAIN! Email me please... I'll do everything I can to help u. PS- if I seem aggressive with trying to help its bc I can't forgive myself for being so passive with leslie. Now she's gone and there's nothing I can do about it- except find people w cancer and harrass them in2 remission!

Answer: Uhhhh - What? This isn't how to respond. How about searching for the question, then e-mailing the asker.

Question: What is the life expectancy of a person with Ovarian Cancer stage3? I'm asking this becuase my aunt barely had surgery yesterday Also can you add expierences Also can you add expierences

Answer: Statistics rarely apply to individuals . . that is why doctors frequently will not answer this type of question . . no one knows how long an individual will live . . survival will depend on many, many factors . . the location of tumor, the type of treatment, the response to treatment, the facility where they are treated, the skill of the oncologist, the age of the patient, and the patients overall health. The problem with Ovarian cancer is one that was very similar to my sons type of abdominal sarcoma . . the cancer tends to 'seed' into the abdominal cavity and peritoneal lining. The 'seeding' will eventually produce hundreds if not thousands of tiny tumors that are basically inoperable. This is extremely difficult to treat successfully . . however, in recent years there have been new treatments for abdominal cancers that have increased the survival rates of these patients. Your aunt needs to be seen by a comprehensive cancer center or university cancer center that offers a treatment called cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion. A patient has surgery that will remove all visible signs of tumor in the abdominal cavity . . than heated chemo will be poured into the cavity for two hours, than removed. This treatment kills off the tiny implants and residual cancer in the abdomen. This is recommended treatment for certain types of ovarian cancers . . . your aunt should be checking to see if she is a candidate for this type of treatment. Journal of Clinical Oncology http://meeting.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/… Cancer Centers http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_c… NCCN: Ovarian Cancer Treatment Guideline http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls…

Question: Life Expectancy of stage 4 ovarian cancer? my nan has stage 4 ovarian cancer and next week she has her final chemo before her scan, i am really worried, what is the probability that everything will be okay? i am so close with my nan, i don't know what i'd do if i lost her.

Answer: I am very sorry Amelia, but your grandmother is not okay. Stage 4 ovarian cancer is not curable. The treatment she is receiving is to slow down the cancer to give her as much time as possible with as little side effects as possible. Someone should have explained this to you. The 5-year survival rate is 10%, but how well your grandmother does will depend on how she responds to treatment.

Question: I have stage IV ovarian cancer. What is my life expectancy? I have been in remission twice.? My cancer came back with in a year of being in remission the first time.

Answer: I am very sorry for all you have been going thru I know it hasn’t been easy. You have asked a simple direct question yet no one is answering it. I’m sure if you wanted more advise you would have asked for it. Estimating someone’s life expectancy isn’t an exact science and not easy to determine even for a doctor. Patients surprise us everyday. The best answer I can give you is based os statistics and this is what your doctor will use to help determine an answer for you as well, but he or she also has the benefit on knowing your history. The 5-year survival rate for stage 4 ovarian cancer is 10%. This means 10% of patients are still alive 5 years from diagnosis of stage 4 disease. Best wishes to you.

Question: What is the life expectancy decrease for women who had early puberty? I've had my first period at the age of 9,and obviously knew I was precocious ,but have just recently found out about all the risks that it involves. I'm 23 years old,and looking at a future of breast ,cervical,ovarian cancer and generally decreased life expectancy. How much does a woman who had an early onset menstruation live? 40-45? Thank you.

Answer: Current life expectancy ratings are incorporating the incidences of organ cancers related to precocious puberty, and more importantly, based on EXISTING records of women who are much older...and therefore were not able to access medical treatments that are available today. The early onset of menstruation does nothing to directly effect your life expectancy. Chances are -- IF you even get cancer, with modern medical treatments and diagnosis options available (now and in the future) -- you can expect to live to the ripe old age of everyone else....70, 80, whatever.

Question: What is the prognosis w/ recurrent ovarian cancer and ascites? My grandmother, who is 83 years old, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer over two years ago. She has been stage 4 once, back to stage 2, and now back to stage 4. She has extreme abdominal swelling and pain (ascites). She had 6 quarts of fluid taken off her stomach 3 weeks ago, and 8 more quarts taken off two days ago. Her stomach has already begun swelling again. She can not take certain types of chemo because her esosphagus has been damaged. She was supposed to get chemo intraveneously yesterday, but the doctor would not allow it because she did not look well enough. My grandparents are old school and do not question the doctor on anything, so we have no idea how long she may have to live. Does anybody have any experience with a prognosis, life expectancy, quality of life? She is a Christian, she is ready to go to the Lord, but she continues to have procedures (parencentesis) done because her husband is not ready to let her go.

Answer: A paracentesis will not make your granmother live longer, it will just make her more comfortable. She can breathe easier and sleep better if the fluid is removed. Problems is it comes back as quickly as it is removed and then creates electrolyte imbalances and literally dehydrates her. Sounds ridiculous, but its true. Most doctors leave the huge amount of fluid there and remove it only to make her comfortable. Her husband is going to need a lot of support from your family since her days are numbered. Peace and Gods love to your grandma, grandpa and family. RN

Question: My Cousin was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer? the foundit in its early stage but, unfortunately it has spread to her lungs. What's her life expectancy? Can she possibly survive? they found it in its early stage*

Answer: Her cancer is a stage IV if it has metastasized to the lungs. There are many new treatments available than there were even a few years ago. There is one promising type of treatment for Ovarian cancer called hyperthermic chemoperfusion and cytoreduction. What this refers to is a surgery in which all visible tumors are removed followed by heating a chemo and pouring it directly into the tumor bed. The problem with ovarian cancer is that when it spreads than hundreds of microscopic malignant cells can implant into the abdominal cavity and peritoneal lining. That is why it has been so difficult to treat in the past . . because you could never remove all the implants. However, your cousin may qualify for this type of treatment. She should be seen at a designated comprehensive cancer center . . these are research facilities often associated with the best universities in the US. Going to these facilities often means receiving the best and latest known treatments for her specific disease: National Cancer Institute: Cancer Centers http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-list.html You can also do some research about chemoperfusion as a possible treatment for ovarian cancer: Cytoreductive surgery and intraoperative hyperthermic chemoperfusion for advanced ovarian carcinoma http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/110474121/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 UPMC Cancer Center: Peritoneal chemoperfusion http://www.upmccancercenters.com/surgonc/peritoneal_chemo.html Stay strong. There is always hope and treatment options available for every stage of cancer. NCCN: Ovarian Cancer Guidelines in Oncology http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls/_english/_ovarian/contents.asp

Question: Extreme Abdominal Swelling and Ovarian Cancer? My grandmother, who is 83 years old, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer over two years ago. She has been stage 4 once, back to stage 2, and now back to stage 4. She has extreme abdominal swelling and pain (ascites). She had 6 quarts of fluid taken off her stomach 3 weeks ago, and 8 more quarts taken off two days ago. Her stomach has already begun swelling again. She can not take certain types of chemo because her esosphagus has been damaged. She was supposed to get chemo intraveneously yesterday, but the doctor would not allow it because she did not look well enough. My grandparents are old school and do not question the doctor on anything, so we have no idea how long she may have to live. Does anybody have any experience with a prognosis, life expectancy, quality of life?

Answer: I am very sorry to hear that your grandmother is having to suffer from this terrible disease; my own grandmother died at age 63 of ovarian cancer. I think the best thing you can do is ask her doctor questions, even if she won't (if she hasn't signed a release saying the doctor can give you information, though, he can't legally answer your questions). He probably has a good reason for not wanting to give her treatment. Chemotherapy is very hard on even strong people, and it can kill someone who is very weak. I don't know about life expectancy, but I know that stage 4 is not good. As far as quality of life, my grandmother eventually decided to quit chemotherapy and just have comfort care to the end of her life, because the chemo really made her sick and reduced her quality of life. I'm afraid this is pretty much the extent of my knowledge on ovarian cancer. Again, I am very sorry that you and your grandparents have to go through something like this, and I hope for the best for all of you.

Question: ovarian cancer- carcinoma stage 4-CA 125 ultra sound confusing tests results? A lady of 62 yrs with the above cancer underwent surgery debulking and 6 chemotherapy last year. After above surgery & treatment she recovered with CA reduced to 250 from 14000 and ultra sound reports OK. While ultra sound reports are ok the CA value is around 250 and varying. !. Whethe the patient is improving or getting worse 2.Reliability and dependability of these contadictory reports. 3.Life expectancy of patient. She now looks normal as any healthy person except CA125 is 250 and is under oral harmone tablets

Answer: These reports are not contradictory and are pretty typical. If she is feeling well and looking great that is a big improvement. Both tests are reliable and dependable for their indented use. The CA-125 is to monitor treatment. The ultrasound is to see if new disease can be found. The results indicate the treatment work well as the cancer has not progressed. However, she still has cancer and it is not curable. Her treatment is to prolong her life with as little symptoms as possible. How long she survives depends on how long treatment is able to keep the cancer from progressing. The 5-year survival rate for stage 4 ovarian cancer is 10%.

Question: We need an expert opinion.? Our 8yr old bitch was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 5 weeks ago, the tumor was removed and the vet gave her two months life expectancy because it is a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer. It had started to spread into her fatty tissue. Over the last 12 hours she has begun retching and has a small amount green discharge coming from her eyes. We are not sure if this is a symptom of the cancer or not. HELP! my mum and dad have taken her to the vets, i just wanted to know if she would be ok, but clearly im not going to get any reassurance from you.

Answer: In dogs, cancer is the leading cause of death, and it's all the more heartbreaking because it remains a complex disease for which we often have little or no insight into the cause. In a time of huge leaps forward in cancer treatment, one reason cancer prevails as the leading cause of death is perhaps a surprising one: Because our dogs are so much better cared for today, they are living longer. Older dogs become more susceptible to such diseases of old age as tumors. More dog cancer details in here, http://xrl.us/bfvxbx