Diagnosed in March with stage-four ovarian cancer that had spread to her liver, lungs, and other areas, Ainslie responded exceptionally well to initial chemotherapy, allowing her to undergo a complex 12-hour surgical procedure and heated abdominal chemotherapy.
Diagnosis and Initial Prognosis at University Hospital Southampton
Medical tests revealed that the cancer had spread extensively. She was initially told the disease was inoperable and that she would receive three rounds of life-extending chemotherapy. “I just thought that was it, I was a going to die, and I didn’t have very much life left,” Ainslie said.
Did you know? Approximately 7,500 women are diagnosed in the UK each year, with two-thirds detected at a late stage.
Pioneering HIPEC Procedure and Surgical Complexity
Mr David Constable-Phelps, consultant gynaecologist and gynaecological oncology surgeon at the hospital, led the surgical team. During the 12-hour operation, surgeons performed a full hysterectomy and removed visible tumors from the patient’s abdomen, liver, diaphragm, lungs, lymph nodes, and colon.
Following tumor removal, the surgical team administered hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The procedure involves filling the abdomen with chemotherapy heated to 42 degrees Celsius and circulating it for 90 minutes to target any remaining microscopic disease. University Hospital Southampton established its HIPEC service in 2022 and has since completed its 50th procedure for ovarian cancer.
Ongoing Care and Expected Recovery
Mr Constable-Phelps stated that Ainslie will receive further intravenous chemotherapy to complete her treatment plan and will remain under close clinical monitoring. “At this point there is no visible evidence of cancer, and this was not an outcome we believed would be possible at her initial diagnosis,” he noted. Ainslie now expects to make a full recovery and return to normal life alongside her wife Katie and dog Nellie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)?
HIPEC is a surgical procedure where doctors deliver heated liquid chemotherapy directly into the abdomen for 90 minutes immediately after removing visible tumors, destroying remaining microscopic cancer cells.
Where was Caroline Ainslie treated?
She received treatment at University Hospital Southampton, which established its dedicated HIPEC service for ovarian cancer in 2022.
What are the common warning signs of ovarian cancer?
Warning signs include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly when eating, and an urgent or frequent need to urinate.
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