ovarian cancer Stages and Treatment

 

THE FOLLOW-UP

WHY A MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP?

During the first years after treatment, the establishment of medical monitoring is essential for all patients with Kahler disease.

During the follow-up, screening examinations for possible recurrences go hand in hand with psychological and social support to help the patient cope with the future.

One of your biggest fears is the fear of recurrence. Often, the appearance of a disease symptom is attributed to a relapse and can lead to great distress. Although the symptoms are important signs of a possible recurrence, and should not be underestimated, other illnesses can also produce similar symptoms. A good follow-up helps to discover the real cause of these symptoms, and if there is a recurrence,

THE FEAR OF RELAPSE...

One of your biggest fears is the fear of recurrence. Often, the appearance of a disease symptom is attributed to a relapse and can lead to great distress. Although the symptoms are important signs of a possible recurrence, and should not be underestimated, other illnesses can also produce similar symptoms. A good follow-up helps to discover the real cause of these symptoms, and if there is a recurrence, to detect it early enough.

ALERT SYMPTOMS

• The appearance of new bone pain or a fracture without trauma
• Anemia with paleness and shortness of breath
• bleeding
• A decrease in the amount of urine
• Weight loss, loss of appetite, persistent feeling of fatigue
• Any new persistent unusual symptom...

VISITS AND CHECK-UPS

WHEN HOW ?

The visits are close together at the beginning: every month, then every quarter, then every semester. They thin out over time.

During these visits, your doctor will inquire about your state of health and any symptoms you may be experiencing. He will perform a detailed clinical examination.

On this occasion, he may request laboratory or medical imaging examinations to confirm remission or to detect, as early as possible, a possible recurrence of the disease.

THE CONTENT OF THE VISITS

It is detailed here and represents a standard situation. You should know, however, that your oncology/hematology center or your particular case can lead to other types of monitoring, which are just as effective.

The first two years

Every 3 months, a complete clinical examination and biological examinations:

• An “NFS” blood count/form, with platelets, a sedimentation rate (ESR)
• Dosage of fibrin, protein and blood iron (sideremia) and liver tests
• serum protein electrophoresis
• A kidney function test
• Measurement of serum calcium and beta-2 microglobulin.
• A urine test for Bence-Jones protein.
  
  

Every 6 months

• A radiological assessment of the skeleton
• A scanner (computed tomography) of the sites initially assessed
• A check-up of heart function by ultrasound if you have received medicines affecting the heart such as anthracyclines
  
  

Other examinations, abnormal during the diagnosis, may be repeated such as digestive endoscopy, bone scintigraphy, x-rays, in-depth exploration of kidney function and heart.

Beyond two years

Every 6 months, a complete clinical examination and biological examinations:

• An “NFS” blood count/form, with platelets, a sedimentation rate (ESR)
• Dosage of fibrin, protein and blood iron (sideremia) and liver tests
• serum protein electrophoresis
• A kidney function test
• Measurement of serum calcium and beta-2 microglobulin.
• A urine test for Bence-Jones protein.
  
  

Once a year

• A radiological assessment of the skeleton,
• A scanner (computed tomography) of the sites initially assessed,
• Other examinations, abnormal during the diagnosis, may be repeated (digestive endoscopies, bone scans, radiography, etc.),
• A check-up of heart function by ultrasound if you have received medicines affecting the heart such as anthracyclines (doxorubicin),
• A control of viral serologies, HIV and hepatitis virus, if you have received a transfusion.

A STANDARD FOLLOW-UP ASSESSMENT

 

blood test	Urine examination	Medical imaging
Complete blood count Calcemia  Kidney  function (creatinine clearance)  Serum protein electrophoresis  Free light chain assay (for light chain myeloma and non-secreting myeloma)	24 hour proteinuria for light chain myeloma	Skeleton

THREE SIMPLE MESSAGES...

Monitoring is a stress, once past the visit confirming that everything is going well, do not think about it until the next visit!

Keep busy, don't get tired

Constrain yourself to drink two liters of water a day to fight against fatigue