Initial Diagnosis

In April 2012, Mrs. Wang, an 80-year-old female, visited her gynecologist
 complaining of dull pain in the right lower abdomen, accompanied by 
intermittent abdominal bloating. She also felt tired all the time.

Her medical history showed type II diabetes for 35 years and her family history showed that her mother had ovarian cancer. Pelvic ultrasound examination revealed a mass on her right ovary and she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Mrs. Wang then visited Beijing Cancer Hospital for further treatments. The doctors recommended surgery to remove the mass, combined with chemotherapy.

The patient’s family members hesitated to let her go through a significant
operation, considering her age and her chronic diabetes, so, they sought help from a top hospital in Taiwan, but they got the same answers as they had in Beijing.

MORE Health Co-Diagnosis Analysis

Two MORE Health gynecologic oncology Physician Specialists, Dr. Stefanie Ueda (UCSF) and Dr. Jonathan Berek (Stanford), reviewed Mrs. Wang’s history, medical records and imaging. They concurred with the diagnosis but proposed a different treatment plan.

Their plan noted that while surgical treatment has proved to be a component in the management of epithelial ovarian cancer, for this patient surgery would be high risk. Other factors become more important, such as life quality, including maintaining cognitive status and living independently. They recommended conservative chemotherapy, plus extensive support care.

The Outcome

The patient and her family members agreed and she had an excellent response to this treatment. It has been four years since the original Co-Diagnosis and Mrs. Wang still enjoys a good quality of life.

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