Stage 4 Cancer Gone After Surgery and Keytruda

At the age of 74, I went to the ER after experiencing shortness of breath while swimming, a feeling of fullness or bloating, frequent need to urinate and general malaise. I was admitted to the hospital and given blood tests, a CT scan and an MRI. I had a thoracentesis to remove more than a liter of fluid from around my lungs. A gynecologic oncologist was brought in to give me my diagnosis; it was likely metastatic ovarian cancer, stage 4.

Surgery revealed watermelon-sized tumor

The doctor scheduled me for exploratory surgery, which lasted several hours. Then he sent my tissues and fluids for genetic testing. They came back BRCA 1 and 2 negative, but I had a tumor the size of a watermelon, which was connected to my bowels and bladder.

I started carbo/taxol infusions every 3 weeks. My CA 125 was 101, then 50 and, later, below 10. Three months later, I had debulking surgery, which left me with a bladder fistula, requiring me to wear a Foley catheter for 4 months. I was fitted with a Power Port, which made infusions and scans much easier to bear.

Started on Keytruda after ovarian cancer progressed

I continued with carbo/taxol infusions. My scans showed spots on my liver and biopsies showed a progression to neuroendochrine cancer. Genomic testing of my tissues and fluids showed 4 biomarkers: PD-L1, MSI high, TMB and LOH, all of which are targeted by an immunotherapy pembrolizumab (Keytruda). My gyn onc brought in a physician from UC San Diego to consult regarding Keytruda, and it was determined that I was a good candidate. I begin infusions of Keytruda every three weeks.

Cancer is gone

Six months after I had been receiving infusions of Keytruda, my scans showed no evidence of disease. I continued on those infusions for three more years. Then I was switched to infusions every six weeks. I have continued on that schedule for more than a year and continue to be NED as measured by blood tests and CT scans every 12 weeks.
My only side effects from Keytruda are chronic dry eye and discolored fingernails.

No family history of ovarian cancer

My original diagnosis is a mystery since I have no genetic disposition for ovarian cancer and I did take birth control pills for several years. On the other hand, I have struggled with being overweight for years, was diagnosed with unexplained infertility, took Clomid for 2.5 years and took HCG injections in efforts to get pregnant. I have never been pregnant nor have I ever breastfed. I have maintained physical activity (tennis, pickle ball, hiking, walking and swimming) for most of my life.
The only cancer in my family was colon cancer, but my mother and maternal grandmother did not carry the gene.

Hoping to mentor fellow warriors

I have been fortunate to have a very supportive husband and two sisters in my life, along with my adult kids, both adopted. I participate in the OCRA Express Yourself and Book Clubs and have applied to be a mentor to other women who have ovarian cancer.