u/Expensive-Fig-4180

My mom (65) is undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer and has completed 3 cycles of chemo. Her recent PET scan shows a big drop in SUV (around 12 → ~1.4), but the tumor size hasn’t reduced much(it's still 10×16×10 cm).

CA-125 has also dropped significantly (2600 → 48) in 3 months, and she currently has no prior symptoms(no bloating, appetite loss, constipation, abdomen pain).

Just trying to understand:

Is it normal for tumor size to remain similar even when SUV drops so much?

Does this indicate mostly inactive/dead tissue?

What should we expect next (especially regarding surgery outcomes)?

Would appreciate any insights from those with similar experiences 🙏

Hi everyone,

My 65-year-old mother was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis. She completed 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Her latest PET-CT (after 3 cycles of carbotaxol) compared to the baseline shows:

Pelvic mass: SUV max dropped from 12.4 → 1.4, now described as “predominantly cystic”. Size almost same (10.5×15×11.4 cm → 10.3×16×9.9 cm).

Serosal deposits: SUV from 10.8 → 2.22, size and number significantly reduced(60% reduction). PCI improved from 19/39 → 6/39.

CA-125: dropped from 2600 → 48.

Ascites resolved, no new lesions.

Doctors are calling it an above average response and are planning interval debulking surgery soon.

She was also taking ivermectin and mebendazole daily, along with supplements (curcumin, milk thistle, Vitamin D3, Essiac tea, Soursop tea, etc.) and following a low glycemic diet during treatment.

Her abdomen/back pain, bloating, high BP is all gone now and she's eating quite well.

I have a few questions though:

Has anyone had a similar experience? A big drop in SUV max and CA-125 but minimal shrinkage of the main mass (especially cystic changes)?

How was the surgery? Was the reduced metabolic activity making the debulking easier?

Also, Any long-term outcomes from similar profiles?

Any experiences (positive or realistic) from patients or caregivers would be greatly appreciated.

As someone who failed to clear JEE and AIEEE back in 2011 and studied from a tier 2 private engineering college, plz stop making an exam your entire identity. Life will throw at you many opportunities in future, you just have to catch one and make the best use of it.

None of my friends cleared JEE lol and most of them are doing amazingly well in life and most of them working in FAANG.

Life is long and complicated and JEE is one of the least complicated milestones you'll ever face in life.

Don't end your life for an exam or for a person that/who may not matter to you in a few years time.

My mom (65) was diagnosed with stage IIIC (restaged from IV B) high-grade serous ovarian adenocarcinoma on 28th Jan The tumour was large (~15 cm pelvic mass) with peritoneal deposits and a 10 cm tumor on omentum and encasing the ureter and colon area.

She has completed 2 cycles of carboplatin + paclitaxel.

CA-125 went from 2460 → 402(on 2nd april) → now 138 today (big drop in just 16 days during the break). We've taken a 2 week gap after 2nd chemo coz her platelets went low to 100k.

She is feeling much better: no abdominal or back pain, good appetite, feels hungry, eating well, no bloating, no constipation, normal BP.

I am giving her:

Low-carb diet with lots of veggies, fruits (berries, pomegranate, apple, pear, papaya), nuts, seeds, sprouts salad (moong + chana + broccoli), pulses, quinoa, eggs

Cada tea (cloves, ginger, garlic, curry leaves, raw turmeric)

Essiac tea and soursop leaves tea in the evening

Supplements: Curcumin, milk thistle, high-dose Vitamin D3 (10,000 IU), mebendazole(250mg), ivermectin(12mg)

Hydration: coconut water, lemon water, baking soda water

She had pain for 8–10 days after each chemo which was hard to watch but she is now feeling really good and strong. I beleive repurposed drugs and other suppliments and diet are helping her a lot.

The doctor wants to do a 3rd chemo before interval surgery but I am thinking of skipping the 3rd chemo and going straight to surgery because she is doing so well and I don’t want her to suffer more side effects.

What do you think?

Have any of you or your loved ones skipped a cycle in this situation?

Is it safe to go straight to surgery with CA-125 at 138 and good clinical response?

Any experiences with similar repurposed drugs + diet during treatment?

Thank you.