Small Cell Lung Cancer: Tabby's Survivor Story
This ovarian cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Subtype
- Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Sex
- female
- Treatment
- surgery and chemotherapy
- Outcome
- Cancer-Free / NED
Treatment course, step by step
- Underwent urgent surgery in 2011 to remove a 15 cm tumor and the right ovary.
- Received 6 rounds of chemotherapy every 21 days, with hospitalization for monitoring during each treatment.
What happened, in summary
At age 26, Tabby Soignier developed bloating, pain and headaches while trying to get in shape for her brother's wedding. An ultrasound eventually showed a 15 cm tumor wrapped around her right ovary. She underwent urgent surgery to remove the tumor and ovary, and pathology confirmed a rare small cell ovarian carcinoma.
Tabby then received 6 rounds of chemotherapy every 21 days. Because of the intensity of treatment, she was hospitalized for each round so she could be monitored around the clock. She experienced nausea and hair loss but completed chemotherapy just before Thanksgiving 2011. In December, CT imaging and lab work showed she was cancer-free.
For the next 2 years, Tabby returned for follow-up every 3 months, then every 6 months. She later worried that treatment and having one ovary might affect fertility. Although a fertility specialist warned that her egg count was low and discussed in-vitro fertilization, Tabby conceived naturally 4 months later. She gave birth to a healthy son, James Jr., on July 30, almost 7 years after beginning chemotherapy.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by MD Anderson. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer