Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Stomach Bleeding While Treating Ovarian Cancer?
Question: My mom is an 8 year survivor of ovarian cancer (age 00), has had two major surgeries, aggressive chemo, and is currently on an oral chemo regimen to slow the growth of a tumor on her lymph node (I think). She has been vomiting black stuff for 12 hours, also some black stools, is very weak, and headed to the hospital I believe (I live 1000 miles away). Is it possible this is a sign that her body is shutting down and I should try to travel to see her asap? I had made plans for thanksgiving but wondering if she now has much less time.
Brief Answer:
Her symptoms point to stomach bleeding.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Its really hard to answer this question as we do not not know about the cancer stage, its chemo reaction, current cancer size.
Black vomiting and black stools are clearly indicating bleeding from the stomach or duodenum. It can be just a reaction to chemo she is having right now, however it may be also a sign of cancer development in the upper digestive tract.
If its chemo side effect, the chances for her to survive it are greater. If its cancer bleeding, there is not much they can do about it.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Her symptoms point to stomach bleeding.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Its really hard to answer this question as we do not not know about the cancer stage, its chemo reaction, current cancer size.
Black vomiting and black stools are clearly indicating bleeding from the stomach or duodenum. It can be just a reaction to chemo she is having right now, however it may be also a sign of cancer development in the upper digestive tract.
If its chemo side effect, the chances for her to survive it are greater. If its cancer bleeding, there is not much they can do about it.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
More info that could help: She was stage 3 when diagnosed 7-8 years ago. Major surgery to first remove as much cancer as possible, then very aggressive chemo, went directly to peritoneal region via a port. Cancer free for a few years after that then it returned in her spleen. Spleen was removed surgically and some more chemo. some more remission then it has probably been a year of so since they detected small tumor, on lymph node in pelvis. Been on oral chemo for a time, but at her last doctor visit they said there are severe risks to long term usage of that drug so are planning to switch her treatment to Doxil in November. Before, and throughout the cancer treatment she has also had some pretty bad ulcers in her esophagus. At one point, during cancer treatment, she was taking antibiotic 3 times per day to control the esopheal issues, but took her off after she developed very persistent thrush/fungal infection in the mouth.
Brief Answer:
Ulcer bleeding seems to be the case.
Detailed Answer:
Ok, so this makes the bleeding due to chemo side effects (bleeding from the ulcer) most probable reason. If so, they should be able to stop such bleeding if its from one point of the stomach. This makes her chances to survive higher than in case of the digestive tract cancer.
But as her body is weakened due to chemotherapy, its hard to tell if she will make it. Really no one can answer that.
Ulcer bleeding seems to be the case.
Detailed Answer:
Ok, so this makes the bleeding due to chemo side effects (bleeding from the ulcer) most probable reason. If so, they should be able to stop such bleeding if its from one point of the stomach. This makes her chances to survive higher than in case of the digestive tract cancer.
But as her body is weakened due to chemotherapy, its hard to tell if she will make it. Really no one can answer that.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
