what is stage IV ovarian cancer like?
374033
The most advanced form is Stage IV which has a very low survival rate—only about 5 percent of those diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer will survive for five years. The overall five­year survival of all patients with ovarian cancer, regardless of stage, is about 30 percent.
617755
I've had ovarian cysts.  They weren't called 'tumors.'\n\nThe survery involved cutting a wedge section out of my ovaries but my overies remained and were capable of producing children.  \n\nThe procedure was like any other abdominal surgery--go under anesthesia, get abdomin cut open, 4 to 6 week recovery.\n\nMine was the result of polycystic overian disease also know as stein leventhol syndrome.
175083
Ductal Carcinoma, Carcinoma in situ/noninvasive carcinoma which is stage 0 (can be cured with proper care), Metastasized cancer which is stage IV (somewhat spreading).
532479
If the cancer has metastasized and is truly stage 4, then ultimate long term recovery chances are very small. However there are always exceptions to every rule. Some types of previously incurable lymphomas are now curable with stem cell or bone marrow transplants, so at least some stage 4 cancers are now sometimes curable. Brain, lung, breast, cervical or ovarian cancer are not curable after reaching stage 4 unless there is a miracle (spontaneous regression). Another thing to remember is that staging is often not as precise as Drs would have you believe, so one Dr's stage 4 is another Dr's stage 2 or 3.  good luck to your relative
288311
If you have a complete hysterectomy, your ovaries will also be removed.  When your ovaries are removed, you go through surgical menopause.\n"Premenopausal women who have had both ovaries surgically removed (oophorectomy) will experience an abrupt menopause and may be hit harder by menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and loss of libido than those who experience it naturally. Surgical menopause is associated with a greater decrease in androgen production than natural menopause, which may make hot flashes more severe, more frequent, and longer lasting for some woman."  http://www.womenshealth.com/library/hysterectomy_meno.htm\n\nIf you still have your ovaries: \n"If one or both ovaries are retained during a hysterectomy the patient could experience:\n\nContinuing normal function of the ovaries until the normal onset of menopause at the usual age of menopause, or \nEarly ovarian failure with the ovaries stopping hormone production sooner than expected.  This loss of ovarian function can occur as early as 1-2 years after the hysterectomy.  The ovarian failure may be very apparent to the patient and HCP when symptoms of estrogen deficiency occur.  Or it may be silent if estrogen levels fall but symptoms do not occur."  http://www.womenshealth.com/library/hysterectomy_meno.htm\n\nIf you are not sure if you have your ovaries, you should find out!  If you can, call the doctor who did the surgery, or even the hospital where the surgery was performed, and ask for an operative report.  It is important to know what has been done to our bodies.\n\n\nTo read about causes of hot flashes (other than menopause), check out this link:  http://www.wdxcyber.com/nmood12.htm
388994
Well when I wa 19 I had ovarian cancer.  They said that I couldnt have kids.  Now 8 years later I have three beautiful children.  You have to belive that miracles can and do happen.  Best of luck to you.
856410
My poor grandfather had prostate cancer, which is supposedly one of the slowest-growing cancers there is.  He was in the hospital for something unrelated, and out of nowhere started getting sicker.  He lost his appetite, and over the course of a couple of days, started having difficulty walking and talking.  \n\nMy grandmother questioned the same thing that you did, so she questioned one of the nurses as to whether his cancer had metastasized.  The nurse more or less brushed her off and said, "No, prostate cancer wouldn't grow that fast."\n\nWell, to make a long story short, he kept getting worse and worse, until finally his lungs and kidneys shut down.  As it turned out, he had developed a secondary, fast-growing cancer that had metastasied all over his body within a matter of weeks.\n\nBy the time this was discovered, he was far too sick for any form of traditional treatment, and we unfortunately lost him very quickly after that.\n\nI certainly hope that this isn't the case with your friend... some of what she's experiencing could be the side effects of the chemotherapy.  Although I've never heard anyone "talking funny" from chemo, I'm certainly not an expert on the subject. \n\nI just wanted to share my story with you, because it still makes us sick that my grandma questioned his prognosis and was told that it couldn't have spread.  I guess we'll always wonder if he could have been helped had they acted sooner.\n\nI certainly don't have any advice for you on how to approach your friend... it's very hard to question others' judgment when it comes to the way they're treating their cancer, especially when you're not the one paying the bills.  I unfortunately know this far too well from experience... I guess all you can do is sit down with her husband by himself and discuss your fears.  It's hard, though, because you don't want to place any undue worry on him.\n\nI don't know how close of a relationship you have with this couple, but if you don't want to worry them directly, is it possible to pull one of her oncologists aside and talk it over with them?  I don't know if she's in the hospital or not, but that might be a good way to go about it.  If you feel like there's nothing you can do without overstepping your bounds, I guess all you can do is hope that the doctors notice what you have... but that's not always the case, either.\n\nSorry if I wasn't more help... at any rate, I wish you the best.  If you're at all religious or spiritual, maybe a prayer for guidance is in order.  If you're not... just listen to your heart, I guess.  :)
91653
Stage III comes from the TNM classification system--and gives information on Tumor size and location, Node involvement, and Metastasis. Dukes C is from another, older classification system and gives generally the same info. These two systems generally correlate. This information is too detailed to go into on this forum, and is best explained by your Colorectal Surgeon anyway.\n\nI'm not quite sure where the above answerer seems to get her info, so why don't you let your surgeon tell you what your options are? You can ask all the questions you want, and together decide the best course of action.\n\nI will say it's serious, and right now if you have been diagnosed with this disease you don't need a "guess" from a non-physician about your treatment and prognosis. You need good information, from an expert. Yahoo Answers won't give you that. The only thing you'll get from answers like the above is anxiety.\n\nNow to cyanne2ak: I'm not sure where you get your info, but alot of it is either inaccurate or incomplete. An answer like what you gave above could be enough to scare this person away from treatment. I hope it doesn't. Delay in treatment, might make a life or death difference. Cancer is scary, and many people don't like to hear half-answers put so bluntly, without all of the facts. Stop googling medical topics and splashing half answers to people who have serious medical problems. Please.
389595
I'm so sorry that something has happened in your life that you need to ask that question.  Colon cancer has touched my family, both with stage 4 colon cancer that took my grandfather when I was very young, and with a pre-metastisized (sp?) carcinoma that was found in my colon nearly 20 years ago.\n\nThe first thing I would say is *don't* focus too much on the numbers.  The fact of the matter is that, whatever percentage you may see, it reflects at least thousands of people who have beat this horrible disease.  Treatment options continue to expand and improve.  Regardless of the treatment path that is chosen, one of the most important things in recovery is the person's *outlook* on recovery.  Knowing in your heart that you can beat it, and telling yourself you *can* beat it is so very important.\n\nIf you want to look at numbers, it's also important to remember that it's more than just the "stage" of the cancer that plays a part.  Some of the impact is in the organs that are affected and the level at which they are affected.  For example, the link below indicates that there is a *much* higher survival rate for stage IV colon cancer patients that have 3 or fewer liver mestates (as high as 30%, compared with the 5% rate that is often quoted for stage IV colon cancer in general.)\n\nhttp://www.alternative-cancer-treatments.com/colon-cancer-prognosis.htm
943496
the small bowel obstruction should be resolved by surgery, then chemotherapy  can prevent it to occur in the future,  with metastatic ovarian cancer,  small bowel involvement is not uncommon.
463890
I believe that you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. I would explain the symptoms to the receptionist so that she will realize the importance of your situation. The symptoms that you describe: ovarian cysts,ovarian tumor(which could be multiple cysts formed on the ovary). I know the word tumor sounds strong yet I recommend that you seek help soon. If this releases any anxiety-ovarian cancer is very slow growing-it develops over many years.On the other hand ovarian cysts are quick growing and many women do not even realize they have any. I have had an ovarian tumor and cysts. The tumor was the size of a grapefruit and benign-it was multiple cysts growing on one ovary.The ovarian cysts that I would get, on the other ovary-would sometimes "burst" on their own. Prior to the cyst "bursting" I would have extreme pain and after the "bursting" the pain would be gone.It is not uncommon for females to have ovarian cysts. In both scenarios-my period would become erratic,such as no periods and then having periods two weeks apart etc. In any event, I again would recommend you see a Dr. as soon as possible and if the pain becomes intense-be seen in the emergency room. I hope this helps.
783497
If the operation prolongs life, even by a year or two, then yes. I'd also seek a 3rd and even 4th opinion. Are you the person with the cancer? Whoever it is, I'm deeply sorry. I know what it's like to have that horrible disease in the family. You'll come to the right decision and remember, sometimes miracles do happen. The very best of luck to you and yours
272012
Above anything I would consult your Doctor and possibly a Nutritionist about what foods may be helpful.  Here is some information I found on the net, hope it helps.  Good luck and God Bless!\n\nWhat happens after treatment for cancer of the uterus?\n\nRegular follow-up exams are very important for any woman who has been treated for cancer of the uterus. The doctor will want to watch the patient closely for several years to be sure that the cancer has not returned. In general, follow-up examinations include a pelvic exam, a chest x-ray, and laboratory tests.\n\nWhen people have cancer, life can change for them and for the people who care about them. These changes in daily life can be difficult to handle. When a woman finds out she has uterine cancer, a number of different and sometimes confusing emotions may appear.\n\nAt times, patients and family members may feel depressed, angry, or frightened. At other times, feelings may vary from hope to despair or from courage to fear. Patients usually are better able to cope with their emotions if they can talk openly about their illness and their feelings with family members and friends.\n\nConcerns about the future, as well as about medical tests, treatments, hospital stays, and medical bills, often arise. Talking to doctors, nurses, or other members of the health care team may help to ease fear and confusion. Patients can ask questions about their disease and its treatment and can take an active part in decisions about their medical care. Patients and family members often find it helpful to write down questions for the doctor as they think of them. Taking notes during visits to the doctor also can help patients remember what was said. Patients should ask the doctor to repeat or explain more fully anything that is not clear.\n\nPatients have many important questions to ask about cancer, and their doctor is the best person to provide answers. Most people ask what kind of cancer they have, how it is treated, and how successful the treatment is likely to be.\n\nMany women become concerned, especially after surgery and radiation therapy, that the changes to their bodies will affect how other people feel about them. They may worry about working, caring for their family, or about how cancer and its treatment will affect their sex life. Usually, as the patient recovers, the changes to her body become more accepted. With love and support, patients gradually feel reassured that they are just as appreciated as before.\n\nThe patient's doctor is the best person to give advice about working or other activities, but it may be hard to talk to the doctor about feelings and other very personal matters. Many patients find it helpful to talk with others who are facing similar problems. This kind of help is available through cancer- related support groups, such as those described in the next section. If the emotional problems of the patient or family become too hard to handle, a mental health counselor may be able to help.\n\nhttp://www.medicinenet.com/uterine_cancer/page5.htm\n\nCancer Information Service (CIS)\n1-800-4-CANCER\n\nThe Cancer Information Service, a program of the National Cancer Institute, is a nationwide telephone service for cancer patients, their families and friends, the public, and health care professionals. The staff can answer questions in English and Spanish and can send booklets about cancer. They also know about local resources and services. One toll-free number, 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237), connects callers with the office that serves their area.\n\nAmerican Cancer Society (ACS)\n1599 Clifton Road, N.E. \nAtlanta, GA 30329\n1-800-ACS-2345
1095728
I had ovarian cancer at the age of 20.  There were not symptoms.  The pap smear came back negative because it only checks the uterus.  I only found out because as cash register drawer opened into my stomach and ruptured the tumor.  I went to the Dr on MOnday and they removed everything on Tuesday morning.  There is a blood test called CA-125 that checks for ovarian cancer.
929311
Please speak to her oncologist about it.  He is the only one who can tell you what is going to happen and what the treatment options will be for her.  You can visit when your sister attends and ask all the questions you have then.\n\nGive your sister the most support you can because she really needs it and she'll appreciate it so much.  Cancer patients are so fragile and scared themselves so you need to be thinking about the future for them and letting them know how much you care and are excited to share it with them.\n\nFact is that cancer progresses in stages and the earlier it is discovered, the easier a time the patient will have either getting rid of it entirely or getting it under control:\n  \n- Getting rid of it entirely is difficult but could allow her to return to a pretty much normal life assuming an operation was successful at getting all the cancerous cells.  \n\n-Keeping it under control depends on a persons genetics and how they react to the drug treatments and can decrease life expectancy to only a number of years, although it can happen that a normalish life (outside the drugs/hormone treatment) could be possible.\n\nSorry for your news, cancer takes front and center stage whenever it appears.
990228
Sorry there really isn't a good answer for that, because all people are different and there is so many types of chemo. Good luck!
353334
I just went through a cancer scare and had some ovarian cysts removed. Here are the links I found most useful:\n\nhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000893.htm\nhttp://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic511.htm\nhttp://www.cancerwise.org/september_2004/display.cfm?id=f35c37df-ac53-4bc0-ac5511ac88865f3d&method=displayfull&color=green\nhttp://ovacome.jamkit.com/Home\nhttp://www.reutershealth.com/wellconnected/doc92.html\nhttp://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/tw9761;_ylt=AsFgabc6Y97oSXeL5gIYjdEog7MF#tw9761-sec\nhttp://www.endo-resolved.com/index.html\n\nGood luck, and remember that until they biopsy it, you can't know for sure that you've got cancer. I had FIVE test results indicating cancer, but it wasn't cancer!