Ovarian cancer is one of the silent cancer that over 70% of patients are diagnosed in the stageⅢC.

Dr. Choi, Min Chul of gynecologic cancer center had a patient called Ms. A, with ovarian cancer.

The time between ovarian cancer stageⅢC and nonrecurrence

In April of 2015, a patient called Ms. A has diagnosed as ovarian cancer stage ⅢC. In her CT, her abdomen was filled with ascites and masses were observed in the both ovaries. The level of CA125, ovarian tumor marker was 1085U/mL which was much higher than the normal value, 35U/ml. The findings were typically ovarian cancer stage ⅢC.

80% of ovarian cancer patients was found out to have recurrence. Ms. A, likewise, had 4 times of recurrence and had a proper treatment in each time. She had 3 times of tumor reduction, 18 times of chemotherapy and HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) to fight against the recurrence of cancer with multidisciplinary team of CHA Bundang Medical Center. Therefore, she has been maintained the treatment for 2 years since September of 2019 and there were no signs of recurrence until now. In the present, she is having only regular check-ups without signs of recurrence.

PARP inhibitors are available to the confirmed patients with BRCA gene mutations

According to Dr. Choi, Min Chul, it was able to remove the recurred lesion surgically in her last surgery and HIPEC enabled to eliminate remained microscopic lesions to prevent the recurrence of cancer. Detection of BRCA1 gene mutation may helped as well.

Ms. A could not find BRCA gene mutation from the blood test at the first place, but when she had 4th treatment, it was found from her tissue. So, she was able to have maintain treatment as oral targeted therapy (PARP inhibitor).

The research showed that when patients with BRCA mutation go through PARP inhibitor, called olaparib, after primary surgery or chemotherapy, the 7-year survival rate was higher than the patients without olaparib. Through this research, the oral targeted therapy, PARP inhibitor could bring the most promising result in the ovarian cancer treatment currently.

Only less than 20% has BRCA mutation as the cause of ovarian cancer Ovarian cancer has no typical reasons mostly. Of course, some of the patients get ovarian cancer through BRCA mutation inherited from the parents. However, BRCA mutations, which are commonly known causes of ovarian cancer, account for less than 20% of all ovarian cancer patients.

It is very hard to find in the early stage of ovarian cancer through gynecologic ultrasonography or CA125. Ms. B who had a regular check-up every year including abdomen and pelvis CT was diagnosed as ovarian cancer stage 3. And Ms. C had a normal CT 3 months ago, but she was turned out to be diagnosed as ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer itself is not difficult to be treated. There are many cases of poor prognosis due to delay of diagnosis. A lot of patients are diagnosed in stage 3. However, if it is diagnosed in stage 1, it shows about 90% of patients of fully cured. Even it is hard to be positive during the therapy, it is recommended to stay hopeful.