I had a follow up with the surgeon today, almost three weeks after my hysterectomy. We went over pathology in detail. There were cancer cells on both ovaries, one Fallopian tube and a spot on the uterus. It sucks, but the surgeon assured me that she took out all visible cancer. What I didn't know was there was a "small" amount of fluid (ascites)... and it tested as containing abnormal/cancer cells!
So does this mean I still have active cancer floating around looking for a place to grow?! Is systemic chemo (folfiri) effective in taking care of this? How much should I be freaking out? If the source of the cancer has been removed (via hysterectomy), will this fluid build up stop? How likely are ascites to cause peri mets?
None of this showed up on the CT scan done a couple days before surgery!
I'm calling my oncologist tomorrow. When he called with the pathology report 2 weeks ago, I don't remember him mentioning the ascites.
I get a new port on Friday and I hope to start chemo next week.
How much should I be freaking out? abnormal ascites fluid
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arizona mom
- Posts: 127
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2014 10:25 am
How much should I be freaking out? abnormal ascites fluid
47 yrs mom of 4
5-7-14 - dx stage IV-3 liver mets. CEA 76
5-20-14 Folfox w/Avastin
7-24-14 - Colon/liver resection and HAI implant at MSKCC
11-18-2014 - scan- NED!
12-19-14 finished 12 treatments of Folfox (dropped Oxali after 9)
2-19-15, 6-18-15 clean scans - NED
9-11-15 mets in ovaries - hysterectomy - CEA 1.0
Folfiri 10/15 to 3/16
3-24-16 CT scan NED
7-1-16 It's back. 1cm in lung and 3 peri mets.
5-7-14 - dx stage IV-3 liver mets. CEA 76
5-20-14 Folfox w/Avastin
7-24-14 - Colon/liver resection and HAI implant at MSKCC
11-18-2014 - scan- NED!
12-19-14 finished 12 treatments of Folfox (dropped Oxali after 9)
2-19-15, 6-18-15 clean scans - NED
9-11-15 mets in ovaries - hysterectomy - CEA 1.0
Folfiri 10/15 to 3/16
3-24-16 CT scan NED
7-1-16 It's back. 1cm in lung and 3 peri mets.
Re: How much should I be freaking out? abnormal ascites fluid
I would discuss it with oncologist. A trace of fluid in woman's pelvis is physiological but cancer cells are not. Peri mets produce ascites. Good luck!
mom of now 14 years old twins, dx @ 40 in 6/2015 with upper rectal cancer, 10+ liver mets, CEA 140
chemo: 8/2015 - 10/2016 - 4xFOLFIRINOX, 2xFOLFOX, 8xFOLFIRI, 10x5FU, HAI pump -12xFUDR
4 surgeries, complete pathological response
CEA<2 since 10/2015
NED since May 2016
I praise God for every day with my family!
chemo: 8/2015 - 10/2016 - 4xFOLFIRINOX, 2xFOLFOX, 8xFOLFIRI, 10x5FU, HAI pump -12xFUDR
4 surgeries, complete pathological response
CEA<2 since 10/2015
NED since May 2016
I praise God for every day with my family!
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Steph20021
- Posts: 553
- Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2014 4:58 pm
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: How much should I be freaking out? abnormal ascites fluid
I don't have any answers for you but these are all very good questions. I'll be interested to hear what your oncologist says today. Good luck!
DX 1/31/14 @ 33- SPS-T4a(invades visceral peri), N2a(6/106 LN), M1a(ovary) (Stage 4a) MSS; BRAF V600E
2/1/14-subtotal col, lost R ovary, temp ileo
3/14-9/14- folfox; sepsis
11/14-CT/PET: L ovary met, pelvic met, (?)ghost liver met(?)
12/14-folfiri -13 rds kept me stable from 3/15-6/15
8/15-HIPEC, NED
09/15- cea 0.9
05/16- recurrence in abdo wall and lymph nodes
01/17- pulmonary embolism
02/17- 1 wk radiation to abdo wall
08/16- on folfiri
01/18-folfox
11/18- Beacon trial-encorafenib & cetuximab
2/1/14-subtotal col, lost R ovary, temp ileo
3/14-9/14- folfox; sepsis
11/14-CT/PET: L ovary met, pelvic met, (?)ghost liver met(?)
12/14-folfiri -13 rds kept me stable from 3/15-6/15
8/15-HIPEC, NED
09/15- cea 0.9
05/16- recurrence in abdo wall and lymph nodes
01/17- pulmonary embolism
02/17- 1 wk radiation to abdo wall
08/16- on folfiri
01/18-folfox
11/18- Beacon trial-encorafenib & cetuximab
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DarknessEmbraced
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
- Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
- Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Re: How much should I be freaking out? abnormal ascites fluid
Good luck with your oncologist. I hope you get some answers!*hugs*
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured!
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured!
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