A recurrence for ovarian cancer means that the disease has returned after they have gone to remission or have been explained free of illness. While the survival rates for people with recurring ovarian cancer are currently around 3 out of 10, it can improve their result and prospects to improve their risks and attitude and to actively participate in their treatment and care.
We spoke to Blair McNamara, MD, a gynecological oncologist at Yale University School of Medicine and member of the Healthwomen Women’s Health Advisory Council about recurring ovarian cancer and its developing treatment options.
How likely can ovarian cancer be receded?
The repetition rates of ovarian cancer depend on the stage of the tumor in diagnosis, age and factors that tell us how aggressive the cancer is – the degree or histology. Most patients with high -grade ovarian cancer are diagnosed with diseases in stage 3 or in stage 4. More than 7 out of 10 of these patients will experience a recurrence of their illness within the first five years.
Read: What you need to know about ovarian cancer >>
How is recurring ovarian cancer treated?
Recurring ovarian cancer can sometimes be treated surgically if you had a period of six months or longer disease -free period of illness and if the disease is not widespread. Otherwise and even after the operation, recurring ovarian cancer is treated with chemotherapy.
What does platinum resistant cancer mean?
Plating-resistant ovarian cancer means that a patient’s cancer has returned within six months of the end of chemotherapy that contained a platinum agent. Usually the means of carboplatin, which is prevented from repairing or copying yourself by preventing cancer cells.
Does treatment differ in platinum -resistant cancer?
Yes. In the case of platinum -resistant ovarian cancer, surgery is usually not taken into account and no treatment with carboplatin is offered. There are many other chemotherapy that can be used to treat platinum -resistant ovarian cancer, and many of them are newer, targeted therapies. In the past, we told the patients that chemotherapy works much less often as soon as they have a platinum -resistant disease. However, this is no longer the case with these newer therapies, and treatment depends on the specific circumstances of a patient.
What are biomarkers and which biomarkers are associated with ovarian cancer and repetitions?
Biomarkers are measurable chemicals in the body, which can indicate the presence or progression of ovarian cancer and treatment. In patients with ovarian cancer, a blood test is often used for CA-125, since it can help oncologists to determine how their reaction to chemotherapy will be and a recurrence of ovarian cancer is demonstrated. Tumors themselves can have different biomarkers that are identified after the first operation. These biomarkers can affect therapy for both 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 the tumor biomarker approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), a patient’s cancer will address targeted chemotherapy. These targeted therapies are becoming increasingly common and oncologists determine which treatments they can have on the based biology of their tumor. For example, if tumors have a homologous recombination deficiency or a HR department, patients can be considered for certain options for oral conservation treatments to prevent cancer from being returned.
What factors should you take into account if you weigh up your treatment options?
The first thing your provider is investigating when determining your treatment options is the type of cancer. For example, the stage, the grade, the location and all biomarker information that are available to you. If you make decisions about which treatment plan you should make, you should consider how well you tolerate chemotherapy during your first treatment and to discuss changes in your chemotherapy based on how well you have tolerated the first treatment. Be sure to think about other health problems that you have and what activities are most important for you so that you can prioritize you and discuss with your oncologist, whether the side effects of treatment may do the things you love. You may also want to consider a clinical study that could provide you with new treatments.
This educational resource was created with the support of Daiichi Sankyo.
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