My 30 year old daughter had dysgermenova with a 10 inch by 12 inch tumor of her right ovary when she was 19.  She went thru chemo.  Now she has a lemon size tumor on her left ovary and does not want to go thru chemo again.  What are her chances for survival without chemo this time?
Hi, Thanks for writing in. It is important to take chemotherapy for dysgerminoma after surgery especially if she is having recurrent disease. At this stage your daughter requires chemotherapy to kill the tumor from its origin. Dysgerminomas are usually very sensitive to chemo, and can sometimes be treated with the less toxic combination of carbonation and topside. Giving chemotherapy will control the disease and prevent recurrence. Recurrence takes place in few patients even after surgery. That is why probably your doctors have recommended chemotherapy. With chemotherapy survival rates are high in the early stages. Almost every patient will respond to treatment. Patients can live for a lifetime after chemotherapy while survival without chemotherapy is unpredictable and might range for few years. Please do not worry.