Ovarian Cancer - did anyone choose no surgery?

My tumour was 20 cm in diameter. I was told I had no choice if I was to survive. That was 15 years ago.

I had large tumors, there was no doubt about surgery for me. I wanted to have a chance to live longer.

@onthetrain Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and to our Gynecological Support Group. I'm tagging a few other members in our support group who have written and experienced ovarian cancer @sistermarcy @jhardy123 @jacquelineb68

I have a few questions that I think will help us to support you.

What is your oncologist's recommendation? Are there other treatments such as chemotherapy recommended prior to surgery? What other options are you considering?

I was actually given a choice but I was diagnosed with what is called psomammas carcinoma of the ovary which is a low grade serous cancer. It was an incidental finding when I was admitted for diverticulitis. I was asymptomatic. My GYN oncologist gave me three options 1) do nothing as I was asymptomatic 2) do nothing and monitor or 3) treat. I chose to treat.

I had surgery to remove both my ovaries and fallopian tubes as well as an omentectomy. And I’m currently doing chemo therapy.

I wanted the best chance of survival plus knowing this indolent disease was growing in side me I didn’t want to take chances that if or when I became symptomatic it would be too late.

@onthetrain, checking in. How are you doing with your decision-making? Are you still weighing the pros and cons of surgery? Were you given other options to consider?

My situation requires that tumors need to be shrunk before surgical removal.

I see so many stories where the cancer comes back, many times in less than a year, even after a major debulking surgery.

So far i had a laparoscopy with biopsy and the recovery has been so hard. It’s hard to imagine going through more.

Did you have the surgery how are you doing ?

yes I choose not to have surgery. it was decided that it would not improve or proloong my life.
My ovarian tumour is attached to my sigmoid colon and they do not wnt to touch that.

@maghera Will you be having any more chemotherapy since you won't be having more surgery? What do your doctors recommend going forward? How are you feeling today?

I am going to talk to the Oncologist on Monday. I think that I will have a 3 month break and then assess what is going on.

I find the Chemo ok at the time but today I was shopping for a couple of items and I was hardly able to walk back to the car. It causes dizziness, breathlessness and fatigue. Less nausea this time. I am 3 weeks out from the last chemo. I’m hopeful that each day will be better, and that I have energy to do the things I need to.