Stage III BRCA1 Ovarian Cancer: Carla's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

This patient was diagnosed with Stage III high-grade serous ovarian cancer in July 2023 after months of bloating, unexplained weight loss and increasing abdominal pressure. CT scans performed during an emergency-room visit showed two very large ovarian masses, one described as the size of a football and the other as the size of a small watermelon.

She learned that she carried a BRCA1 mutation, something she had not known because she was adopted and did not have access to her family cancer history. At MD Anderson, her surgeon recommended debulking surgery to remove the cancer as completely as possible. The operation included a hysterectomy, and the final assessment showed that the cancer was confined to her pelvis. Her surgeon was able to remove the visible disease.

She then completed 6 rounds of chemotherapy, ringing the bell after her final infusion on January 18, 2024. After chemotherapy, she started the PARP inhibitor olaparib as maintenance treatment, planned for 2 years. She also continued blood testing every 3 weeks to monitor CA-125.

At the time of the story, she remained cancer-free. She continued to manage bladder problems caused by the pressure the large pelvic masses had placed on her bladder, while emphasizing the importance of seeking medical evaluation when persistent symptoms change.