Ovarian cancer is often called ‘the silent killer.? The name represents the true severity of the disease ? most women are unaware of any problem until the cancer is so far advanced there is little hope for survival.
Clarkston resident and Post High Autistic Program teacher Barbara Greenstone underwent stem cell treatment for stage III ovarian cancer in April 2005.
She said the disease is chronic unless caught in the early stages.
According to the American Cancer Society, there will be more than 22,220 new cases of ovarian cancer in the U.S. in 2005, and more than 16,210 women will die of the disease.
The good news is early diagnosis extends lives.
These statistics are why Greenstone went public with her disease. She says her hope is more people will become aware and seek early intervention and available treatments.
‘I always tell everybody to follow their intuition. Sometimes you have to use your own judgment. Advocate for yourself,? said Greenstone.
In January of 2002, Greenstone noticed bloating in her abdomen and an irregular menstrual cycle. She said these are not unusual symptoms for a woman over 50, but she went to see her doctor. Greenstone was told to keep a calendar, and if the symptoms continued, to come back.
Greenstone said she became extremely busy with work and her daughter’s graduation, so she put off going back to the doctor.
One day while on the boat with her sister, Betty Ann Varon of Rochester Greenstone said she looked like ‘she was four months pregnant.? At that time, Varon convinced Greenstone to go to the doctor.
Around the same time, Greenstones husband, attorney Arthur Greenstone, encouraged her to see a friend, gynecological oncologist Dr. Robert Morris at the Carmans Cancer Center St. Johns Hospital in Detroit.
A lab test confirmed Greenstone had ovarian cancer.
Greenstone said the life expectancy of a patient with stage III ovarian cancer is usually less than five years.
The next three years of treatment included a total hysterectomy, chemotherapy three Fridays a month, remission in June 2003 and a reoccurrence in December 2003.
With no end in sight, Greenstone did her own research and found Dr. Michelle Donato, from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
Donato started a clinical trial of 2000 women in different stages of ovarian cancer in 1995. The high dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant trial was reporting a 33 percent success rate.
Greenstones clinical trial began with intense chemotherapy in March 2005 and stem cell treatment on April 6. She calls this ‘the dark days of stem cell treatment.?
‘I was very ill, even when I got back home I was still very fatigued,? said Greenstone.
After an intense four’day chemotherapy treatment, Greenstone’s stem cells were extracted from her body, frozen. When she was healthy enough two weeks later, the stem cells were put back into her body.
Greenstone describes a stem cell as an underdeveloped baby cell with no specific traits. The cell could grow into any number of cells: an organ cell, a muscle cell, a bone cell.
Greenstone said the cells wait until something in the body is in need, like an infection, and then is utilized by the body.
‘They are like little soldiers and they attack any cancer cells that are left,? said Greenstone.
Greenstone returned from Texas in June and continues too recuperate at home with her husband and their three children Mollie Anderson, 25; Anita Anderson 22; and Anthony Anderson, 17.
‘The one thing that got me through this was that I am potentially done with cancer. For all intense purposes, I am cancer free,? said Greenstone.
In the end, Greenstone recommends people rely on there own intuition.
‘Be proactive in your health care, ask questions, do research, follow your instincts. If you think something is wrong, question it. Make sure you understand what the doctor is telling you; and there is nothing wrong with a second opinion, she said.
‘I firmly believe I am cancer free. You have to have a positive attitude.?
For more information on ovarian cancer stem cell transplantation, please contact the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center at 1-800-392-1611 or www.mdanderson.org/diseases/ovarian/highdose/

STEM CELL
Clarkston resident Barbara Greenstone at home after undergoing a stem cell transplant in Houston, Texas. She started the clinical trial in April. She is now cancer free.