My wife was diagnosed with ovarian clear cell carcinoma in June after her hysterectomy and staging. At the time they said it was stage 3C because it spread to her pelvic lymph nodes and bowels. The CT scan before she started Carboplatin and Taxol showed that it spread to her liver, so I assume that meant it changed to stage 4 at that time. While she was receiving cycle 3, her CA-125 showed platinum resistance. At the end of September, they will start the second course treatment, which could mean Doxil, Gemcitabine, Topotecan or other treatments. They are waiting for lab results to determine which course is best. Her CT scan yesterday showed it spread to her lungs. She gets stents put in her ureter today and will have a biopsy on her auxiliary lymph nodes tomorrow.
My wife doesn't want to know the survival rates, yet she insists that she doesn’t want to go through more chemotherapy if her chances aren’t good. When my wife overheard another cancer patient mention a 70% survival rate, my wife said she wouldn’t continue if she only had those odds. Since she won’t ask her doctor, I have no idea what her chances for long-term survival are, but I have a feeling they are far less than 70%.
Where can I find survival rates for Stage 4 OCCC when the various remaining drug options are used? How do I talk to her to without dashing her hopes? Should she be told more realistic success rates without mentioning a number? This is very difficult for me because I would want as many details as possible while she only wants to hear words of encouragement.