A lymphoproliferative disorder is an abnormality of a component of the immune system, the lymphocyte, in which lymphocytes are produced by the body in excess quantity. Some of the most common lymphoproliferative disorders include these cancers: non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and Waldenstrom’smacroglobulinemia.

Lymphedema is the swelling of an extremity – an arm or a leg – due to an injury or damage to the lymphatic system. For example, some women who have had pelvic surgery which involved removing (or damage to) pelvic lymph nodes might have lymphedema of their legs. Also, women who have had breast cancer surgery, and had axillary (underarm) lymph nodes removed as part of that surgery, might have lymphedema of that arm.

Lymphoproliferative disorders are not related to lymphedema.

Targeted therapies for gynecologic cancers have not been as successful as we would hope, but they are still under investigation. The most frequently used targeted therapy under study for the treatment of ovarian cancer is bevacizumab (Avastin®), a monoclonal antibody that targets a molecule called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interferes in the process of tumor blood vessel growth. Bevacizumab is not yet FDA approved for ovarian cancer and studies are ongoing.

Clinical trials (research studies) have been performed over the years to determine the most effective chemotherapy regimens for ovarian cancer. In the United States, the most common regimen prescribed includes two drugs -- a platinum-based drug (most often carboplatin) plus a chemotherapy from the class of chemotherapy drugs known as taxanes (such as paclitaxel or docetaxel). This regimen is standard in the US, however, research studies are ongoing to determine if other regimens might give better results. Also, individual patients might be offered slightly different chemotherapy drugs depending on other factors, such as whether the patient has kidney or liver abnormalities.

The majority of cases of ovarian cancer (approximately 75%) are diagnosed at stage III or IV (spread of cancer outside the ovaries and into the abdominal cavity or beyond). The primary difference is in prognosis. The percent of women with stage I ovarian cancer who are alive 5 years after diagnosis is around 83-89%. For women with stage II ovarian cancer, that number drops to 65-70%. For women with stage III, it drops to 32-45%; and for stage IV cancers, the number of women alive 5 years after their diagnosis is less than 20%.

The primary treatment for all stages of ovarian cancer is surgery. After surgery, chemotherapy is recommended for most women, regardless of stage.

Reducing reconstructed breasts is usually not a problem. Just be sure that whoever is doing the reduction is familiar with the details of your original free flap procedure so that the reduction procedure does not jeopardize the blood supply to the portions of your breasts that will remain and are not being reduced.

Not exactly a "perfect" fit but hopefully of some use

http://m.yahoo.com/w/news_america/7-reasons-breast-cancer-survivors-shouldn-t-afraid-193300661.html?orig_host_hdr=news.yahoo.com&.intl=us&.lang=en-us

Hi Rachel! Now that know who you are, I'll be glad to. For anyone else reading this, Rachel Pappas is a cancer survivor and has a website called www.1UpOnCancer.com. The site is informative and has a variety of helpful topics, including a page I loved about plain old humor!

Now to answer that great Question:

This is not an easy question to answer for me, although at my age, you might have thought otherwise. With age comes experience of many things cancer, but this one topic is a lightning rod for any age, I believe. My experience has taught me two things:

1. All people, including men, have "baggage". If you don't find this out early, their weakness (wherever that may come from), will fall on you. I hope you get what I'm saying here. We, as survivors, think of ourselves as the "weak" one, when in fact it is imperative to make sure you know the person frontward and backwards. Regard yourself in the highest esteem, and you won't fall prey easily to someone who can hurt you further. The sex part is just the culmination of a great relationship, or should be, expecially being a cancer survivor. At this point in the game, who of us needs more pain?

2. If you find a your "Calvin" (the good guy/significant other), then it's time for you to make sure YOU are ready. Are you? Write down all your fears and assessments of yourself: i.e. If you are repulsed by your own image (secretly) of scars, etc., more than likely that innermost self-hatred will carry over and "reveal itself" to your partner (not a good thing), will surprise and scare them. They will think it's them that is causing you the pain. Confusion like that is unnecessary. I have sabotaged relationships because of internal fears, when I should have just let that person love me like they wanted to.

Finally, sex after treatment can be painful. Be sure to have "the talk" with the other person. Be honest and open about the fact you yourself may not know how your body is going to react to touch, sensation, intercourse. I've found that my body goes through "phases" dependant upon my stress levels, emotions from family and social environment, nutritional challenges, medications. These all have an effect on our body and will eventually effect sexual relationships. It's a juggling act, if there ever was one. But I have faith in it.

I will suggest a book that is a great guide for any survivor. I did a review on my site of it. It is The Lovin' Ain't Over for Women with Cancer by Ralph and Barbara Alterowitz. Chapter 10- The New Single Woman, covers this exact issue.

To quote in part "...

Relationship
1. Know what you want to say and practice saying it
2. Be honest
3. Put yourself in the potential partner's place

Before sex
1. Tell about the cancer treatment
2. Have realistic expectations; sex for the first time is not always that great."

In the book there are great guides also about lubricants, medications, both herbal and pharma, that may help you whether you are sexually active or not.

I hope you found this helpful, and yes, Rachel you may use this on your site. Just please be sure to give credit to Ralph and Barbara Alterowitz if you quote their part. Thanks! (They sent me my print copy for review, and I found it so personally helpful). My review of the book should still be "featured" on my site Home Page, if you'd like to take a look.

It is complicated since you haven’t completed standard therapy. The BCIRG trial is what tested TCH followed by hormonal therapy in hormone receptor positive disease. I would recommend asking your oncologist.

Not sure why. I would ask him/her. Sometimes they may assume you already know.

I really try to have them focus on 1. achieving a healthy weight 2. consuming a healthy diet 3. Avoiding chemical exposure as much as possible 4. Relieving stress in their lives 5. Making sure to manage any side effects of meds (like hormone blockers) so that they continue to take them 6. Stay up to date on all other cancer screening. My favorite book about these topics is Anti Cancer a New Way of Life by David Servan-Schrieber, MD, Phd

Mainly blood tests that look at the bone marrow function and kidney function and liver function.

Symptoms our often our main clue. We use a variety of imaging : plain xrays, bone scans, CT scans, PET scans. Which one is used is dependent on the problem that we are investigating. Tumor markers (from the blood) can be helpful in some cases.

Typically it decided based on the results of clinical trials. We test different drugs with a large population of breast cancer patients and then whichever one is the most effective is the one that becomes the standard of care (i.e. the one that we choose first). If there are reasons why that person can’t tolerate that regimen then we may have to alter that plan. There may be sometimes where there are regimens that are equal and then it is based on side effects or logistics (how often the infusion ).

I agree it is a grey zone. I would recommending proceeding with the second opinion. At this point in the intermediate risk on oncotype it often comes down to discussing the risks of chemo versus possible benefit and then the patient saying they are willing to take the risks even though the benefit may be small.

That is a very good question, and I've been asked that numerous times. In fact, no, he has not.

What is interesting about this, is that I take after my dad's side-which has had cardio-vascular problems, and no cancer. My brother mostly takes after my mom's side, which had all the cancer-most however were throat-lung related (they all smoked).

I'm not sure if we will ever know why one has a problem and not the other, except that all babies are unique unto themselves, even identical twins, have completely different genetic make-up and DNA. I would like to read up on any studies that have been done. If you hear of any, please write me back!