Side effects of doxil

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clamryn
clamryn Member Posts: 508
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi.... I am new to this. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer over 20 years ago. I thought I had it beat. But I guess that was not the case. In 2008 it reared its ugly head and I had a surgery and they couldn't get it all and then went through 6 treatments of chemo (Taxol). Had a PET/scan and they said I was cancer free again. Well here we are in 2010 and I am back into the rink fighting as hard as I can. I have now had 5 treatments of doxil. I had a another PET/scan just last month and they said it got three of the spots and I still have one spot but it is shrinking. I am worried about this because it is on my liver. I keep asking my doctor..."Does this mean that I now have liver cancer?" He said NO... he says that everything is processed through the liver and it can occur on the liver. Not sure if I understand that. But I do have a question if any of you know. Have you ever had any discharge or an odor while taking doxil???

Thanks
Linda

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  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
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    doxil
    Hi LInda, I did't have a discharge or odor that I was aware of. I hope you can get to the bottom of it soon.
    kathleen

    PS I had a very small spot on my liver that is now gone as of the last PET. So, the chemo does work on it, and sometimes the spot is not really cancer, but they don't know until they biopsy it or it grows. So, in my case it may not have even been cancer, but they have to tell me about it, because it does light up. I know, now you are even more confused......
  • clamryn
    clamryn Member Posts: 508
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    kayandok said:

    doxil
    Hi LInda, I did't have a discharge or odor that I was aware of. I hope you can get to the bottom of it soon.
    kathleen

    PS I had a very small spot on my liver that is now gone as of the last PET. So, the chemo does work on it, and sometimes the spot is not really cancer, but they don't know until they biopsy it or it grows. So, in my case it may not have even been cancer, but they have to tell me about it, because it does light up. I know, now you are even more confused......

    doxil
    Thank you for responding Kathleen. I am going to have my 6th chemo treatment tomorrow. Hopefully it will be my last. I will post something tomorrow when I ask the doctor about the discharge and odor.

    You know, I thought that I wouldn't get the cancer back after going 17 years cancer free. I definitely know that my cancer was triggered by stress in my life. My divorce was the biggee because I had no clue. Married for 22 years and was devastated. Then in 2007 I lost my job I had for 16 years. I found another job and then decided to buy a new home. I couldn't sell my old house due to the economy. I really didn't think I was handling it too bad but evidently it did effect me. I got the cancer back. I just know it has to do with stress. I am truly blessed in my life with my 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. That is what I try to focus on.

    Linda
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
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    Hello Linda,
    First of all

    Hello Linda,

    First of all I'd like to say I hope that I can claim that many years with my ovca. That is truly a blessing.

    From the first day I was diagnosed in 2/07 mine has recurred at least 3 times ( I am currently in remission ).

    I do have a question for you; when you were initially diagnosed 17years ago, what stage were you?

    As for the side-effects of the doxil; I was on it for 6months but I did not have any discharge or odor. The only obvious side effect for me was the hand/foot syndrome. My hands and feet literally turned very purplish/black.

    Also it was very hard on my gum tissue as well.

    As for the spot don't put too much worry into, from the sounds of things before, the last thing you want to do is to add any further stress. I have a spot (from day one) on my spleen that has never shrunken or grown. They think it could be fatty tissue? So I'm confused as well but as long as it minds its' own business, I try not to worry about it.

    Please take care and take one day at a time.

    Sharon
  • clamryn
    clamryn Member Posts: 508
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    Hello Linda,
    First of all

    Hello Linda,

    First of all I'd like to say I hope that I can claim that many years with my ovca. That is truly a blessing.

    From the first day I was diagnosed in 2/07 mine has recurred at least 3 times ( I am currently in remission ).

    I do have a question for you; when you were initially diagnosed 17years ago, what stage were you?

    As for the side-effects of the doxil; I was on it for 6months but I did not have any discharge or odor. The only obvious side effect for me was the hand/foot syndrome. My hands and feet literally turned very purplish/black.

    Also it was very hard on my gum tissue as well.

    As for the spot don't put too much worry into, from the sounds of things before, the last thing you want to do is to add any further stress. I have a spot (from day one) on my spleen that has never shrunken or grown. They think it could be fatty tissue? So I'm confused as well but as long as it minds its' own business, I try not to worry about it.

    Please take care and take one day at a time.

    Sharon

    Stage 1C
    Hi Sharon, thank for all your info. I had my first bout with Ovarian Cancer in 1991. My doctor said that my Ovaries (tumors) one was around the size of a softball and the other the size of a small football. I want you to know I had a flat stomach and I don't know how that they could have grown that big. He said he didn't have to scrap. He said cancer hardens and usually they have to scrape but mine was all contained and all he had to do was scoop them up. They removed about 13 lymph nodes and there was no cancer (thank the Lord). There was cancer cells in the fluid however. Sharon I thought that since I went so far out that I was home free. In 2008 it came back. From the old original cancer. They went in and couldn't get it all because it was wrapped around 3 main arteries. This was the size of a walnut. Well I did 6 treatments of Taxol and then had a Petscan and I was cancer free. In 2010 I had my CA125 and the number started going up. I knew it was back. Sure enough 3 spots and 1 on the liver. I went on the doxil this time and I had a PetScan in March and it killed the 3 spots but the one on my liver shrunk but not like my doctor would like. I was to have my last chemo this past Tuesday (#6) but he wants me to go for 2 more treatments. He said he didn't want to switch anything because it just may be slow working on it. And if it is, we want to keep doing what we are doing. He said he would have liked for it to have shrunk more. I will get a CT Scan after the next two. This made sense to me and I hope it works.

    I too have the hand/foot syndrome going on. I did ask him about the odor. He said I didn't have a yeast infection but bacteria can build up ...so he gave me something to use at night. The nurse said that the flush they use has an odor.

    Sharon I have been blessed by so many years out. At the time of my first incident, my youngest was only 10 years old. I know for one thing for sure. Stress triggers cancer... at least it does with me. My first round, I went through a divorce after being married for 22 years and I was shocked. I rebounded and then in 2008 I lost my job and was getting a new house. I had two house payments. I don't work anymore. Forced to retire. I am 62. Now I am trying to keep the stress out of my life and enjoy all my grandchildren. I have 6 total.

    Linda
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
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    Hello again Linda,
    One other

    Hello again Linda,

    One other thing I wanted to say is that doxil seems to have a tendency to act much slower than other chemo treatments.

    It very normal for oncologists to go an extra 1 to 2 rounds just to make sure. I also went through this.

    After you and your doctor have completed the doxil; have you all discussed what the next course of defense would be? Would you feel comfortable asking these questions of your doctor?

    I think communication between patient and doctor is also very important in determining how well we survive.

    Wishing the best outcome for you.

    Sharon