Mayo Clinic gynecologic cancer specialists Jamie N. Bakkum-Gamez, M.D. and John Weroha, M.D., Ph.D. discuss the signs and symptoms women should be aware of for detection of ovarian cancer, understanding treatment options, and the importance of new clinical trials. Mayo Clinic medical geneticist Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D. discusses the importance of family history and genetic counseling in preventing ovarian cancer. A live question and answer session followed the presentation. You can still ask questions using the chat box to the right. Speakers include: - Jamie N. Bakkum-Gamez, M.D. - John Weroha, M.D., Ph.D. - Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D. Would you like to: Request An Appointment Learn More About Ovarian Cancer
Please understand : I am the patient who got Avastin, along with and after Frontline treatment, which is not SOC. I am now in the SOLO2 trial. My mother participated in a trial of carboplatin & olaparib for treatment of recurrence, including measurement of the pharmacokinetics of their interaction, in an attempt to determine which to administer first. My experiences with my own clinical trials have been positive aside from unexpected costs. However, my experiences with my mother’s clinical trial were vastly different and often quite negative. Part of the problem seemed to be that nobody cared for her as a person, but rather as patient # whatever. But please don’t tell patients that clinical trials will be “at no additional cost”; it’s just not true.
In a postmenopausal woman, ovarian masses are usually a growth of some sort—could be benign, could be cancer, could be something in between called a borderline tumor. Imaging and tumor markers may not be enough to rule out a cancer as cancers and benign tumors can look the same on imaging. And there is a small proportion of ovarian cancers that have a normal CA125 level. Further evaluation in the setting of an ovarian mass and pain is warranted. If you would like to be evaluated at Mayo Clinic, you may make an appointment by calling: 507-284-4137.
@aiwhite
Yes, international patients are eligible to participate. However, I would suggest you consider staying in the US rather than trying to travel back and forth. In addition, you should have complete records submitted with your “new patient registration” with a specific question to the Medical Oncology team to review candidacy for clinical trials prior to making an appointment. This could save you the potential problem of being disqualified based on prior treatments or other criteria.