Why wasn't chemotherapy offered after surgery, and is there a point now?
Chemotherapy after surgery (called adjuvant chemotherapy) is standard for high-grade serous carcinoma because it helps kill remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence. It's understandable to feel angry about not receiving this treatment immediately.
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Why wasn't chemotherapy offered after surgery, and is there a point now?
Chemotherapy after surgery (called adjuvant chemotherapy) is standard for high-grade serous carcinoma because it helps kill remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence. It's understandable to feel angry about not receiving this treatment immediately.
However, chemotherapy can still be beneficial even now. Many people with ovarian cancer receive chemotherapy at different points in their treatment journey. The hard lumps you've developed around your surgical scar may indicate recurrence, which your CAT scan should help clarify.
Given your age, MS, and care home setting, your medical team may have had concerns about how you'd tolerate chemotherapy. But this should have been discussed with you as a shared decision, not made without your input. You deserve to understand the reasoning and have a say in your treatment options. Where might the cancer spread first if untreated?
High-grade serous carcinoma typically spreads within the abdominal and pelvic area first. This includes:
* The peritoneum (abdominal lining)
* Other pelvic organs like the uterus
* The omentum (fatty tissue in the abdomen)
* Lymph nodes in the abdomen
The cancer can also spread to the liver, intestines, and bladder. Since you've developed lumps around your surgical scar, the cancer may already be affecting the abdominal wall or peritoneal cavity. Should you insist on further surgery?
Wait for your CAT scan results before making decisions about surgery. The scan will show whether cancer has returned and where it's located.
If cancer has recurred, debulking surgery (removing as much cancer as possible) may be an option, but it depends on:
* How much cancer is present
* Where it's located
* Your overall health and ability to recover from major surgery
Given your MS and current health status, your medical team will need to weigh the benefits of surgery against the risks. You absolutely have the right to advocate for treatment options, but you'll want complete information from your scan first.
Please don't hesitate to ask your gynaecologist directly about treatment options once you have results. You deserve clear answers about why treatment wasn't offered initially and what options are available now.
November 12, 2025
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