18 years old; Ovarian Cancer Patient - Cancer: Cervical & Ovarian Message Board

Sez · 08-06-2001, 10:47 PM

Hi. I am 18 years old, and was diagnosed with Germ Cell Ovarian Cancer approximately one year and 3 months ago; (June, 2000). During the summer/fall of 2000, I underwent 4 months of chemotherapy; previous to my chemo, I had surgery to remove a 4 pound ovarian teratoma. (A year previous to that, May, 1999, I had a 3 pound tumor removed; it was misdiagnosed as benign.)
I would be very interested to hear from anyone around my age who has had a similar experience with ovarian cancer. My treatment took place at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA -a WONDERFUL institution, but I was surrounded by much older people; I did not have contact with them at all, as we were all undergoing treatment. I have yet to meet someone near to my age who has had ovarian cancer, yet my type: GERM CELL OVARIAN CANCER, occurs most often in the first two decades of a woman's life. Please respond if you, or someone you know has experienced similar. I am very interested in speaking to others. (Or, even if you just want to exchange stories, no matter what your age or experience, I would love to talk.)

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*Sara*

meadowfire · 08-29-2001, 11:53 PM

Hi Sara! I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer Stage 2c at age 23. I thought I was the only one under 45 that existed!!! Just kidding. My tumor was not a germ cell tumor, it was considered mucinous, and I am currently going through chemo with Taxol/carboplatin. I am having my fifth treatment next week, then my sixth (AND LAST!) treatment is Sept 24th. I am happy to hear that you are doing well, it makes me feel better, you know? Also, there is a girl going through chemo with me who had a germ cell tumor and she is only 14 years old. Email me if you would like to talk, I could always use an ear closer to my age. Thanks! Michelle