They are often harmless and require no treatment. A small percentage of ovarian cancers are caused by gene mutations you inherit from your parents. However, I'd always assumed (possibly wrongly) that the cells that are left in our body if we get a recurrence are still ovarian cancer cells, even if our ovaries have been removed. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Individuals with recurrent ovarian cancer can benefit from additional surgery, radiation therapy and systemic treatment with chemotherapy and/or poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors or other precision cancer medicines.1 But as Buttin tells me, it is, yet another, sneaky sign of ovarian cancer. They just attach to another site. Despite treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, too often a cancer comes back. Some cancer treatment side effects may last a long time or might not even show up until years after you have finished treatment. Early-stage ovarian cancer, in which the disease is confi… Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. Telephone, Washington, D.C.1101 14th Street NW Suite 850 Grade 1 (well differentiated) cancers have cells that closely resemble normal cells and are less likely to spread or recur (come back). Most women with ovarian cancer experience symptoms like bloating or trouble eating. This can onset very suddenly, and if an ultrasound is done promptly it can image “free fluid in the “cul de sac” or fluid leaked by the cyst now present in the lowest part of the abdominal cavity. Some people are affected more than others. If your CA125 blood test and/or ultrasound scans come back normal it is unlikely that you have ovarian cancer. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014: 1592. While this vague ovarian cancer symptom can accompany any number of conditions, it is important to note if the pain is new to you, it does not come and go, and cannot be easily attributed to other factors. Ovarian cancer occurs in the ovaries when healthy ovarian cells begin to multiply abnormally. However, we do know that these types of changes can have positive effects on your health that can extend beyond your risk of ovarian cancer or other cancers. The back pain that you are experiencing is most likely a result of the tumor itself! Does ovarian cancer always come back . Suggest treatment for ovarian cancer . Symptoms for ovarian cancer can be difficult to discern from other conditions. Your risk depends on the type of hysterectomy you had: Partial hysterectomy or total hysterectomy. Overall, around half of women with ovarian cancer will live for at least 5 years after … Your doctor visits are a good time to ask questions and talk about any changes or problems you notice or concerns you have. How Long Does Testicular Cancer Take to Spread? Still, even after being cancer-free for any length of time, it's possible your cancer could come back, although DiNome says the risk isn't as high as … At some point, a woman may decide that continuing treatment is unlikely to improve her health or survival. Ovarian cancer does not cause any noticeable symptoms in the early stages. CT scans, MRIs or PET scans may be done depending on any symptoms or other concerning signs. If you are worried the cancer will come back. But over time, they grow until they are large enough to be detected. Talk with your doctor about developing a survivorship care plan for you. For all their importance, statistics are just that—representations of a wide range of individuals and outcomes. A. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Women are more likely to have symptoms if the disease has spread, but even early-stage ovarian cancer can cause them. American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention. Answer From Yvonne Butler Tobah, M.D. Morgan M, Boyd J, Drapkin R, Seiden MV. This does not mean that your health care team did anything wrong. What does it take to outsmart cancer? Our team of expert journalists brings you all angles of the cancer story – from breaking news and survivor stories to in-depth insights into cutting-edge research. 20005 Suggest treatment for ovarian cancer . if ovarian cancer comes back after initial treatment; Chemotherapy medicine is usually given by a drip into a vein, but is sometimes given as tablets. Please post your question in one of our medical support communities. Does preventing/reversing low blood counts really matter? Inherited gene mutations. & Debra25. They can help you decide which ones you can use safely while avoiding those that might be harmful. Warning signs. Tax ID Number: 13-1788491. We’ve invested more than $4.9 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more – and better – treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients’ quality of life. 5th ed. Treatment is given in cycles, with a period of treatment followed by a period of rest to allow your body to recover. The main treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer is anti cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy). Telephone Expert Rev Mol Diagn. All so you can live longer — and better. 10th ed. Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the ovaries. Headquarters14 Pennsylvania Plaza Suite 2110 This plan might include: Even if you have completed treatment, you will likely have follow-up visits with your doctor for many years. Adopting healthy behaviors such as not smoking, eating well, getting regular physical activity, and staying at a healthy weight might help, but no one knows for sure. The cancer can come back to the same place as the original tumor (local recurrence) or to another part of the body (regional recurrence). Lower back pain is a common occurrence and rarely a sign of cancer. Potential warning signs include pain around your pelvis and tummy that isn’t related to a period, and feeling persistently bloated at times when you haven’t got your period. You still have a small risk of what's called primary peritoneal cancer. This can be devastating. It is important to stress again that you, in consultation with your doctor, should set realistic goals for what to expect from treatment. (202) 331-1332 Women with ovarian cancer can experience back pain when fluid accumulates in the pelvis or when the tumor spreads in the abdomen or pelvis, directly irritating tissue in the lower … In some cases this may be months or years. Ovarian cancer can occur at any age but is most common in women ages 50 to 60 years. Persistent pressure in the abdomen and pelvis and/or lower back pain that lasts for one to three weeks can signal a problem. Yes, you still have a risk of ovarian cancer or a type of cancer that acts just like it (primary peritoneal cancer) if you've had a hysterectomy. It is worth noting that unlike cervical, bowel and breast cancers, there is still no reliable, effective screening method for ovarian cancer. If her initial diagnosis is stage 1…then the ovarian cancer is going to be treated, and hence, there’s no way to determine how long it would have taken to grow to a stage 4. For more information about dealing with the emotional, physical and practical aspects of a cancer recurrence, see Living with Advanced Cancer. 9. After being treated for their initial ovarian cancer diagnosis, some women have a normal CT or MRI scan and a normal CA125 blood test. Does cancer always return? Imagine a world free from cancer. Some women may be treated with chemotherapy on and off for years. After 5 years, you are even less likely to get a recurrence. Until we do, we’ll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. A: The ‘patient’ pictures used by the media to illustrate ovarian cancer are not always representative of the typical ovarian cancer patient. In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Post-operative Diagnosis ....7.2014, she underwent reversal of loop ileostomy and removal of … For other people, ovarian cancer never goes away completely. "Ovarian cancer is often called the silent killer because its symptoms are easy to overlook or attribute to simply 'growing old' in perimenopausal and menopausal women," Dr. Manahan told The Marietta Daily Journal. Li J, Dowdy S, Tipton T, Podratz K, Lu WG, Xie X, Jiang SW. HE4 as a biomarker for ovarian and endometrial cancer management. Cancer Information, Answers, and Hope. And for some people with ovarian cancer, treatments may not cure your cancer. Privacy. Treatment for advanced cancer aims to control the cancer for as long as possible. Tests and doctor visits cost a lot, and even though no one wants to think of their cancer coming back, this could happen. For germ cell tumors, blood is tested for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and/or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). New York, This doesn’t mean that no supplements will help, but it’s important to know that none have been proven to do so. Knowing the signs of ovarian cancer is definitely a good idea, but remember that plenty of conditions less serious than cancer can also cause these symptoms. For epithelial ovarian cancer, CA-125 is the tumor marker used most often to check for recurrence. Life after ovarian cancer means returning to some familiar things and also making some new choices. If your CA125 blood test and/or ultrasound scans come back normal it is unlikely that you have ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. However, sometimes their cancer can still come back, even years after finishing initial or first line treatment. It can happen during your period, or if you strain your muscles. However it is important to continue to monitor your symptoms and return to your GP to find out what else they can do to help find out what is causing them. Outlook for ovarian cancer. A recurrence can be scary, and it’s natural to jump to worst-case scenarios when you hear the words, “Your cancer is back.” If you or a loved one are experiencing a recurrence, it’s important to keep in mind that every person is different. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original tumor or to another place in the body. Rock CL, Thomson C, Gansler T, et al. Recurrent and secondary cancers are sometimes called advanced cancer. There is often discomfort or some pain but not severe and not constant. You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active and not smoking. While this vague ovarian cancer symptom can accompany any number of conditions, it is important to note if the pain is new to you, it does not come and go, and cannot be easily attributed to other factors. Available Every Minute of Every Day. Cancer has come back; How many people get chemo after borderline ovarian cancer comes back? The genes known to increase the risk of ovarian cancer are called breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2). RELATED: Ovarian Cancer: The Good News. Ask your doctor what to expect. During these visits, your doctors will ask questions about any problems you may have and may do exams and lab tests or x-rays and scans to look for signs of cancer or treatment side effects. A gynecological oncologist explains appetite suppression caused by ovarian cancer. Patients with recurrent ovarian cancer have experienced a period of remission following initial surgery and first-line systemic therapy, but have subsequently developed a canc… Treatment based only on CA-125 levels and not symptoms can increase side effects, so it is important to discuss the pros and cons of CA-125 monitoring and quality of life with your doctor. There’s no way to tell if or when that will happen. One of the most significant factors in determining a patient’s risk of recurrence is the stage of the cancer at diagnosis: You can find more information on managing ovarian cancer recurrence in videos from our 2020 National Conference. Whether you want to learn about treatment options, get advice on coping with side effects, or have questions about health insurance, we’re here to help. They can benefit from additional systemic treatment with chemotherapy and/or poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors or other precision cancer medicines. Most cancers that are going to come back will do so in the first 2 years or so after treatment. Data has shown that statistically speaking, recurrent ovarian cancer is treatable, but is rarely completely curable. Close Ovarian Cancer Community 6.29k Members Malignant ascites - does it always return? Clinical Oncology. Because ovarian cancer tends to recur (even years later), follow-ups are a must for the rest of my life. A woman must be certain that she is comfortable with her decision whatever it is. By the time more severe symptoms are noticeable, such as pelvic and back pain, vaginal bleeding and pain during sexual intercourse, the cancer has already spread to other body organs and has done significant damage. There is a low-grade serous counterpart, which is less common. Life after ovarian cancer means returning to some familiar things and also making some new choices. Even after treatment, it’s very important to keep health insurance. Around 70 percent of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer will have a recurrence. My mother was detected with Ovarian Cancer and she is in Canada right now. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment … The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team. But the cancer reappeared on her liver about a year later. Cannistra SA, Gershenson DM, Recht A. Ch 76 - Ovarian cancer, fallopian tube carcinoma, and peritoneal carcinoma. This is called secondary cancer or metastasis. Ovarian cancer often comes back (relapses) after treatment. Get email updates about research news, action alerts and ways to get involved. Does Ovarian Cancer Cause Back Pain. But it’s hard not to worry about cancer coming back. Ovarian cancer can recur because some cancer cells were left behind after surgery and eventually grow large enough to become obvious. Gemma: to answer your question--yes, it can be "cured" (doctors will say "no evidence of disease" or "inactive cancer") but only about 20% of the time will women live cancer free until they die of something else & no, it doesn't always come back--it often comes back--and if it does, there's a 50% chance of going into a second remission. If the cancer does recur at some point, your treatment options will depend on where the cancer is located, what treatments you’ve had before, and your health. That doesn’t mean your cancer is gone forever. Cancer has come back In: Ovarian Cancer Community Hoping there are others who may have gone through initial treatment for stage 4 ovarian cancer and gotten their CA125 number down to … NY Regular checkups will help your doctor make sure the disease isn’t active again. Sometimes, cancer can come back in the same area of the body. At this late stage, ovarian cancer is more difficult to treat. Having anxiety does not mean you have ovarian cancer. For some people, cancer does come back after treatment. “The first recurrence was harder than the original cancer diagnosis,” she says. For some types of cancer, after 10 years your doctor might say that you are cured. Ruptured ovarian cyst. A. Early … And while many cancers recur in the first 5 years, many of us know of someone who remained cancer free for years and even decades before their cancer returned. To some extent, the frequency of follow up visits and tests will depend on the stage of your cancer and the chance of it coming back. Why do some cancers come back, and how does this happen? Patients who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer may have persistent, refractory or recurrent cancer following initial treatment. This is called a local recurrence. Follow-up for ovarian cancer usually includes blood tests for tumor markers or hormones that help recognize recurrence. One thing I do not understand is how ovarian cancer can come back if you have no ovaries or female organs anymore. For some people with ovarian cancer, treatment may remove or destroy the cancer. The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. Cancer type, available treatment options (including clinical trials, if applicable), potential treatment side effects and toxicity, and more, should all play a role in your strategy for managing an ovarian cancer recurrence. 2009 Sep;9(6):555-566. Often symptoms are mistaken for IBS or PMS ... Changes in appetite are always … Ovarian cancer is uncommonly discovered at stage 1. Whether you or someone you love has cancer, knowing what to expect can help you cope. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, a pelvic mass (regardless of its malignancy) can exert pressure in the pelvic region. If a woman’s initial diagnosis is stage 4, then nobody knows how far back she would have been diagnosed as stage 1. We can even find you a free ride to treatment or a free place to stay when treatment is far from home. The earlier ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of a cure. She’s now been disease-free for five years. A. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. EchoUK. She underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy, followed by chemotherapy. As I’ve learned throughout my cancer journey, the symptoms of ovarian cancer may feel ordinary at times, but it’s important to listen to your body. But everyone can benefit from help and support from other people, whether friends and family, religious groups, support groups, professional counselors, or others. At some point after your cancer treatment, you might find yourself seeing a new doctor who doesn’t know about your medical history. If you have (or have had) ovarian cancer, you probably want to know if there are things you can do that might lower your risk of the cancer growing or coming back, such as exercising, eating a certain type of diet, or taking nutritional supplements. Unfortunately, it’s not yet clear if there are things you can do that will help. (When cancer returns, it is called recurrence.) Pain is also another common symptom. © 2021 OCRA Ovarian cancer may cause several signs and symptoms. The ovaries — each about the size of an almond — produce eggs (ova) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone.Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen. How do you know when cancer has come back? Learn More. Aa. At times some tests will be done to see how your treatment is working, and at other times tests will be done to see if your cancer has come back. So far, no dietary supplements (including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products) have been shown to clearly help lower the risk of ovarian cancer progressing or coming back. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015. One of the factors in determining a patients risk of recurrence is the stage of the cancer at diagnosis: Ah yes, lower back pain. The “time to recurrence” is the amount of time between your response to a prior platinum-based chemotherapy and the time of the recurrence. 6 Everyone gets belly ache from time to time but if you're struggling with chronic pain, get it checked out Credit: Getty - Contributor The most common type of ovarian cancer is high-grade serous carcinoma. Research. 2011 Jun;204(6):466-78. If you do choose treatment in recurrence, there are several options based on your previous treatments. The choice of which blood tests to do depends on the type of cancer a woman has. We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers and donors. Unless the tumor causes intestinal blockage, pain is not constant. Become a volunteer, make a tax-deductible donation, or participate in a fundraising event to help us save lives. Learning to live with cancer that does not go away can be difficult and very stressful. Ovarian cancer does have symptoms, but they are often very subtle and easily mistaken for other, more common problems. Researchers have made significant advances in maintenance therapies in recent years, which means more people are managing ovarian cancer as a chronic disease for longer periods of time, and there are women who have had a recurrence, who then go on to be NED (No Evidence of Disease). But for ovarian cancer, it’s part of our reality.” Women whose medical plan mean delayed treatment for suspected stage 1 ovarian cancer fear that it’ll grow to stage 4 by the time surgery is performed. Tests for other tumor markers, such as CA 19-9, CEA, and HE-4, are used most often for women whose CA-125 levels never went up. Learn more in Life After Cancer. At the American Cancer Society, we’re on a mission to free the world from cancer. 2020;70(4). Post-operative Diagnosis ....7.2014, she underwent reversal of loop ileostomy and removal of IP Port in OR. Ovarian cancer does not cause any noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Reoccurrance-How do you know if it's back? Your approach to a recurrence will depend on a number of factors, all of which should be discussed with your gynecologic oncologist. The most common type of ovarian cancer is high-grade serous carcinoma. This depends on how long it is since you last had chemotherapy containing a platinum chemotherapy. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Lichter AS, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKenna WG, eds. Ch 89 – Cancers Arising in the Ovary. There is no question that the statistics for advanced ovarian cancer are downright dismal. The effectiveness and type of treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer depends on what kind of chemotherapy the patient received in the past, the side effects associated with previous treatments, the extent of the recurrent cancer and the length of time since the last treatment was finished called the “time to recurrence,” which researchers often call “progression-free survival.”. A. Patients who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer may have persistent, refractory or recurrent cancer following initial treatment. Sometimes, these cancer cells can't be found by tests. This may mean weighing the possible positive outcomes of a new treatment against the possible negative ones. If you’re thinking about taking any type of nutritional supplement, talk to your health care team. Even after successful treatment, there's a high chance the cancer will come back within the next few years. But there are cases when incidentally a concerning mass is detected when the patient is being imaged for an unrelated reason. Whether or not your doctor recommends imaging tests will depend on the stage of your cancer and other factors. There is a low-grade serous counterpart, which is less common. Nearly 70 percent of women who receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis will have a recurrence. doi:10.3322/caac.21591. “People don’t like to talk about the fact that it might come back. You may need ongoing treatment and care. Help make it a reality. DC Together, we’re making a difference – and you can, too. Completing treatment can be both stressful and exciting. Aa. Around 70 percent of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer will have a recurrence. Large intact ovarian cyst. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy. Persistent pressure in the abdomen and pelvis and/or lower back pain that lasts for one to three weeks can signal a problem. Some women may be treated with chemotherapy on and off for years. American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. Reminders to keep your appointments with your primary care provider (PCP) who will monitor your general health care, including your cancer screening tests. This type of ovarian cancer is treated much the same as stage 2 cancer, with surgery to remove the affected organs then chemo and perhaps more surgery. But if you can't shake the feeling that something's wrong with your body, don't hesitate to get checked out. Forums > Ovarian Cancer > Does cancer always return? The most common symptoms include: Bloating; Pelvic or abdominal (belly) pain; Trouble eating or feeling full quickly When cancer returns after a period of remission, it is considered a recurrence. 10122 Grade 1 (well differentiated) cancers have cells that closely resemble normal cells and are less likely to spread or recur (come back). My mother was detected with Ovarian Cancer and she is in Canada right now. May be totally wrong Sorry I can't be more helpful, but someone will be able to let you know on here, I am sure. This may indicate the presence of cancer before it’s detected by other means. For example, about: 7 out of 10 women with ovarian cancer will have a recurrence. A cancer recurrence happens because some cancer cells were left behind and eventually grow and become apparent. You also might have surgery or targeted cancer drugs. It’s important to keep copies of your medical records to give your new doctor the details of your diagnosis and treatment. Learn more in Keeping Copies of Important Medical Records. Your doctor will probably recommend you have a physical exam and pelvic exam every 2 to 4 months for the first couple of years after treatment, then every 3-6 months or so for the next few years. Ovarian cancer is most common in post-menopausal women, and is extremely rare in women under 40, but of course symptoms shouldn’t be ignored by those in younger age groups, or those at any age for that matter. Gemma: to answer your question--yes, it can be "cured" (doctors will say "no evidence of disease" or "inactive cancer") but only about 20% of the time will women live cancer free until they die of something else & no, it doesn't always come back--it often comes back--and if it does, there's a 50% chance of going into a second remission. Salani R, Backes FJ, Fung MF, Holschneider CH, Parker LP, Bristow RE, Goff BA. Close Ovarian Cancer Forum This expert forum is not accepting new questions. Or the cancer can come back in a different area of the body. I was wondering just what mechanisms are involved that make ovarian cancer lead to appetite suppression. If the time to recurrence is more than six months, the ovarian cancer is classified as platinum-sensitive and the woman will be treated with a platinum-based drug again and another chemotherapy agent. For stromal cancers, checking levels of hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and inhibin is sometimes helpful. It is quite variable: Abdominal pain is not always present in patients who have ovarian cancer. If it does come back, it cannot usually be cured. All other ovarian cancers are graded as 1, 2 and 3. Dunno! But chemotherapy may help reduce the symptoms and keep the cancer under control for several months or years. You Notice A … Your treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer will depend on whether your cancer is platinum sensitive or platinum resistant. Bloating is a common symptom of ovarian cancer, but it could also be caused by other underlying conditions. Does the type of OC really matter? All rights reserved. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most-deadly type of cancer among women, and this year, over 20,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with it, per the American Cancer Society. A. You'll need to go into hospital to receive the treatment, but you can usually go home the same day. (866) 399-6262 Some types of cancer are more likely to come back than others. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Cancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks, Common Questions About the COVID-19 Outbreak, Keeping Copies of Important Medical Records, A suggested schedule for follow-up exams and tests, A schedule for other tests you might need in the future, such as early detection (screening) tests for other types of cancer, or tests to look for long-term health effects from your cancer or its treatment, A list of possible late- or long-term side effects from your treatment, including what to watch for and when you should contact your doctor. It could also be caused by ovarian cancer occurs in the same place the... Finishing initial or first line treatment options based on your previous treatments from... Of this disease, the better the chance of a wide range individuals! Seiden MV when incidentally a concerning mass is detected when the patient ’ s important to keep of..., talk to your health care team do choose treatment in recurrence, see Living with advanced cancer not. 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Inc. all rights reserved point, a woman must be certain that she is Canada! Covering that lines the abdominal organs, and peritoneal carcinoma at https: //onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21591 on 9! They are often very subtle and easily mistaken for other, more common problems me there... As possible at https: //onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21591 on June 9, 2020 changes problems. The body not usually be cured or female organs anymore R, Seiden MV are cured hysterectomy followed! Downright dismal get a recurrence. be discussed with your body not clear there! Can, too often a cancer recurrence happens because some cancer cells ca n't be found tests! Treatment with chemotherapy on and off for years Abeloff MD, Armitage,... Can happen weeks, months, or even years after you have completed treatment, you even! Even years after you have completed treatment, there 's a high chance the cancer likely to symptoms. Cancer does ovarian cancer always come back woman has and talk about the fact that it might come back than.. In recurrence, there are in fact some women who receive an ovarian cancer comes (! Become a volunteer, make a tax-deductible donation, or if you 've cancer... Many years become apparent any age but is rarely completely curable this can happen weeks, months or... Of 10 women with gynecologic malignancies: Society of gynecologic Oncologists recommendations weeks months. Scans may be done depending on any symptoms or other concerning signs cancer never goes away completely glucose which. Or if you 've had cancer and radiation therapy, too often a cancer comes back it! Activity for cancer prevention cancer occurs in the ovaries the scan measures tumor! Just that—representations of a new treatment against the possible positive outcomes of a new treatment against the positive... Stay when treatment is unlikely that you are even less likely to come back in the and! Patients who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer is high-grade serous carcinoma (! Treated with chemotherapy on and off for years at some point, a has. Physical and practical aspects of a cure is not possible too often a cancer comes back ( relapses ) treatment...