Caroline Ainslie, a 60-year-old retired nurse, has overcome a terminal ovarian cancer diagnosis that had spread to multiple areas of her body. Initially given one year to live in March of this year, Ainslie's condition has dramatically improved, allowing her to undergo a pioneering surgical treatment.
A Shock Diagnosis
Ainslie, from Southampton, Hants, experienced fatigue and a slow recovery from a winter chest infection, which prompted her to seek medical attention. Tests revealed stage four ovarian cancer that had metastasized. Her initial treatment options were limited to chemotherapy with the aim of prolonging her life, not a cure.
"Being told I had cancer was like a bolt out of the blue," Ainslie stated. "I hadn’t been feeling myself which prompted me to get checked, but to be told that I had inoperable ovarian cancer and that it had spread everywhere was such a shock."
Just weeks before her diagnosis, Ainslie had been active, participating in activities like skiing, walking her dog with her wife Katie, and even completing a 10-mile running race. The suddenness of the diagnosis was particularly jarring given her previous health and fitness.
Pioneering HIPEC Treatment
Ainslie's response to chemotherapy exceeded expectations, significantly reducing the cancer and making her eligible for a groundbreaking surgical procedure. The treatment, known as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), involves surgically removing cancerous tumors followed by the direct delivery of heated chemotherapy into the body.
The surgery was performed at University Hospital Southampton (UHS), the same institution where Ainslie previously worked as a head of nursing. David Constable-Phelps, a gynecological oncology surgeon at UHS, led the team that performed the complex, 12-hour operation.
"This was a highly complex case," Constable-Phelps said. "By the time Caroline's cancer was diagnosed, it was very advanced and had spread to multiple areas, including the abdominal wall, diaphragm, liver and bowel. Remarkably, she responded so well to chemotherapy that surgery, which had initially not been possible, became a viable option."
During the surgery, surgeons removed all visible signs of cancer, including tumors from the lining of her abdomen, liver, diaphragm, lungs, lymph nodes, and colon. The HIPEC treatment was then administered to target any microscopic disease. The procedure also required the consultation of a thoracic surgeon due to a tumor being attached to Ainslie's right lung.
A Path to Recovery
Following the surgery, Ainslie is now cancer-free, a result that doctors did not initially believe was possible. She is scheduled to undergo two more rounds of intravenous chemotherapy to complete her treatment and will remain under close monitoring.
"Our aim during surgery was to remove all visible signs of Caroline’s cancer and HIPEC was then used to target any microscopic disease that could not be seen with the naked eye," Constable-Phelps explained. "HIPEC involves filling the abdomen with chemotherapy heated to 42 degrees and circulating it for 90 minutes at the end of the operation."
UHS has become a national leader in HIPEC treatment for ovarian cancer since establishing its service in 2022, completing its 50th procedure for the disease. Ainslie expressed gratitude for the specialized treatment being available at her local hospital.
"I feel incredibly fortunate that Southampton is my local hospital and that this specialist treatment was available to me," Ainslie said. "My surgery wasn't without its challenges and took longer than expected, as the team had to call in a thoracic surgeon when they discovered part of the cancer was stuck to my lung. The past few months have been a whirlwind. I went from being told my cancer was inoperable to responding so well to chemotherapy that surgery became possible. Having the opportunity to undergo this treatment and have the cancer removed has given me real hope for the future."
Ainslie believes her fitness prior to diagnosis played a significant role in her positive response to treatment and recovery. She continues to focus on maintaining a positive mindset as she works towards returning to her previous active lifestyle.
Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women in the UK, with around 7,500 diagnoses annually. Approximately two-thirds of cases are detected at a late stage, making early detection and advanced treatment options crucial.