A diagnosis of cancer is devastating. A diagnosis of stage IV cancer is even worse. The prognosis for primary peritoneal cancer is not excellent, but it is manageable. This cancer mimics ovarian cancer in that few symptoms appear until it is quite advanced. Standard treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.
There are other forms of cancer that seem to be hidden or misdiagnosed until they are very advanced. One is GIST-Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor. Just a few years ago, a diagnosis of this tumor in the lining of the stomach was enough to start making funeral arrangements. But that is not the case now. Thanks to advances in research and the actual separation of this type of tumor from other cancers that have been lumped into the category of stomach cancer, a diagnosis of GIST is no longer an immediate death sentence.
A couple of drugs on the market have made a big difference. One is called Gleevec and the other is called Sutent. Gleevec is usually the first line of defense. This drug is a protein inhibitor that attacks the tumor and shrinks it. It has a 70% success rate, which is unheard of for most types of cancer.
Interestingly, it was initially used in the treatment of leukemia and was used by a doctor as a last resort for a patient who was dying of GIST. It is now a standard protocol for the treatment of GIST.
Gleevec is not without its side effects, but most are manageable. One of them is short-term memory loss. That’s not a big deal for you, you’re in line at the post office and can’t remember where the package you’re sending is supposed to go.
The prognosis of primary peritoneal cancer will also become more favorable as other drugs are developed to treat this specific type of cancer. Research is ongoing and progress is being made all the time.