Weekly Taxol- Is it only for 12 weeks?

clynn13
clynn13 Member Posts: 21
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I am taking weekly Taxol with Bi-weekly Avastin. I had my Ca-125 taken last week and it is now at 80 (it was 380 9 weeks ago) I missed last week but will resume this week at dose number 10. My question is does the weekly dose end at 12 weeks like I have read in some cases or is it continued until your markers rise or dr. takes you off? I have handled it very well. Easiest chemo ever. Was diag.2 1/2 years ago.

Comments

  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #2
    There is a prescribed number
    There is a prescribed number of infusions for each protocol. For instance, I am doing the monthly Taxol maintenance that some doctors use for NED patients, following initial treatment. Mine will last a year - 12 doses. I'm not sure how many weekly doses are the standard, but unlimited Taxol - until markers go up or symptoms reappear - is not a treatment plan I have ever heard of.

    Carlene
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    #3
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    There is a prescribed number
    There is a prescribed number of infusions for each protocol. For instance, I am doing the monthly Taxol maintenance that some doctors use for NED patients, following initial treatment. Mine will last a year - 12 doses. I'm not sure how many weekly doses are the standard, but unlimited Taxol - until markers go up or symptoms reappear - is not a treatment plan I have ever heard of.

    Carlene

    I had 10 rounds of weekly taxol 1st time; 7 the 2nd time.
    My oncologist originally said 18 rounds of weekly taxol to give me a 'ball park', but after 10 rounds my CA125 was stuck in the mid-40's and it had been 3 months by then since I'd had a CT/PET, so we stopped the weekly taxol after 10 rounds and did a scan. It showed NO EVIDENCE of DISEASE, so I was immediately given a 3-month chemo break! Unfortunately, in 3 months when my check-up rolled around again, my CA-125 had spiked to 130 and the subsequent CT/PET showed the same 2 lymph nodes were lit back up (although smaller than before.) So I did 7 MORE rounds of weekly taxol, with my CA125 dropping the first 4 rounds, but CLIMBING for the last 3 rounds. So we stopped the weekly taxol again and another CT/PET showed the same lymoh nodes as larger and still lit up with active cancer. So now, after 17 rounds of weekly taxol (and if you add in the 6 rounds of carbo/taxol I had initially, 23 total rounds of taxol), they think that taxol is no longer effective for me. So I will be switching chemos now.

    So I think you can take a LOT of taxol as long as it's working. & my gyne-onc said that after I have a few other alterate chemos, taxol may again work for me, that sometimes that happens. I agree; weekly taxol is an EASY chemo to take. I hate that I have to switch to something else.
  • clynn13
    clynn13 Member Posts: 21
    #4
    lindaprocopio said:

    I had 10 rounds of weekly taxol 1st time; 7 the 2nd time.
    My oncologist originally said 18 rounds of weekly taxol to give me a 'ball park', but after 10 rounds my CA125 was stuck in the mid-40's and it had been 3 months by then since I'd had a CT/PET, so we stopped the weekly taxol after 10 rounds and did a scan. It showed NO EVIDENCE of DISEASE, so I was immediately given a 3-month chemo break! Unfortunately, in 3 months when my check-up rolled around again, my CA-125 had spiked to 130 and the subsequent CT/PET showed the same 2 lymph nodes were lit back up (although smaller than before.) So I did 7 MORE rounds of weekly taxol, with my CA125 dropping the first 4 rounds, but CLIMBING for the last 3 rounds. So we stopped the weekly taxol again and another CT/PET showed the same lymoh nodes as larger and still lit up with active cancer. So now, after 17 rounds of weekly taxol (and if you add in the 6 rounds of carbo/taxol I had initially, 23 total rounds of taxol), they think that taxol is no longer effective for me. So I will be switching chemos now.

    So I think you can take a LOT of taxol as long as it's working. & my gyne-onc said that after I have a few other alterate chemos, taxol may again work for me, that sometimes that happens. I agree; weekly taxol is an EASY chemo to take. I hate that I have to switch to something else.

    Thanks ladies, I was
    Thanks ladies, I was wondering about the prospect of continuing the chemo regime. I know its close to the 12th treatment mark. Since I have been doing so well on it and my dr. says that I have less than 2 years to live (this was 3 mo. ago) it makes me feel like I can make him eat his words. I have been on three other chemos in the past 2.5 yrs. and they all have worked, unfortunatly, when I stop it goes slowly up. I have only been in remission 4 months, and have been under constant chemo since Mar 09. I have PPC IIIC. I only just found that out. I have been told I have OVCA. So different is PPC. I have done carbo/tax, topo, carbo/gem, now the weekly tax w/avastin. Whew, too many drugs. But I am doing well otherwise, no mets, just tumors on the lining of ab and they are not too big. BTW, my ca -125 is the best marker for me and recurrance. I refuse all those ct scans, bcause why bother. I know by my markers. Hope you all are doing well. Thanks for the replies.
  • djinco
    djinco Member Posts: 87
    #5
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    There is a prescribed number
    There is a prescribed number of infusions for each protocol. For instance, I am doing the monthly Taxol maintenance that some doctors use for NED patients, following initial treatment. Mine will last a year - 12 doses. I'm not sure how many weekly doses are the standard, but unlimited Taxol - until markers go up or symptoms reappear - is not a treatment plan I have ever heard of.

    Carlene

    I am now on weekly Taxol.
    It's been a long time since I posted to the ovarian cancer discussion board. I finished my big six rounds of 21 day cycle chemo and shortly thereafter went on weekly Taxol. I was given the choice by my oncologist if I wished to continue what has been called by my chemo nurses as "maintenance chemo." I get a maintenance dose of chemo each Monday for three weeks and then on the fourth Monday I get a week off of chemo and a blood work check on that Friday. I then start the Taxol on the following Monday, so basically 3 weeks on, one off and start all over again. I will continue this regimen for at least 6 months and then the regimen may continue for another 6 months. I am doing well, except for the diarrhea associated with each dose starting the evening after chemo. Immodium A-D is what is recommended for me. I am real pleased with my CA-125 results which have been staying at 5 or 6. I also take a medical food supplement that I purchase at the hospital pharmacy called "Glutasolve" and made by the Nestle Corporation. It does not taste too good to me, but I have no signs of neuropathy. Others told me how it kept them from experiencing Neuropathy also, so the taste is not so important if it continues to work. All in all I am feeling well and have been canning lots of great produce for the cold winter days. To all cancer survivors, continue to have faith in God and his amazing healing hand.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #6
    Great News
    Sounds like it is not only working well for you but going well. What wonderful news to come and read first thing in the morning. I don't know of anyone who stayed on it until markers rose, but do know others who stayed on taxol for a year as maintenance.

    Thanks for sharing, hugs ♥ prayers Bonnie
  • vj1
    vj1 Member Posts: 150
    #7
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    There is a prescribed number
    There is a prescribed number of infusions for each protocol. For instance, I am doing the monthly Taxol maintenance that some doctors use for NED patients, following initial treatment. Mine will last a year - 12 doses. I'm not sure how many weekly doses are the standard, but unlimited Taxol - until markers go up or symptoms reappear - is not a treatment plan I have ever heard of.

    Carlene

    taxol
    Carlene:
    Do you know what prompts starting the taxol treatment? Was your CA125 high, or scan showed an indication. I go for my checkup next week and will ask my Dr. I just wanted to be somewhat informed.
    Thanks
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #8
    vj1 said:

    taxol
    Carlene:
    Do you know what prompts starting the taxol treatment? Was your CA125 high, or scan showed an indication. I go for my checkup next week and will ask my Dr. I just wanted to be somewhat informed.
    Thanks

    My doctor offers it to some
    My doctor offers it to some of his patients but I'm not sure how he decides, other than you have to be NED. My CA125 was 4000 pre-surgery and had dropped to single digits before I finished my initial treatment (Carbo/Taxol).

    Not all physicians believe that the consolidated (maintenance) chemo helps. The study was ended early, so all that data was lost. My doctor says he has seen good results among his patients. At the least, it will almost guarantee you a year of no recurrence and relatively good health.

    Carlene
  • djinco
    djinco Member Posts: 87
    #9
    vj1 said:

    taxol
    Carlene:
    Do you know what prompts starting the taxol treatment? Was your CA125 high, or scan showed an indication. I go for my checkup next week and will ask my Dr. I just wanted to be somewhat informed.
    Thanks

    Maintenance Taxol
    I was given three choices by my Gynecologic Oncologist at the conclusion of my 6 initial cycles of chemo treatment. The first being to participate in a clinical followup trial of chemo treatment. The second being do nothing else. Thirdly, the maintenance weekly Taxol. While many ovarian cancer patients consider their CA-125 numbers as their primary decision maker, I did not. The reason that I don't only look at my CA-125 number is because my CA-125 was only 75 a few days before my hysterectomy that I had on February 1, 2010. When my number was relatively low at first, I figured that I may not have even had cancer. Well, I did have ovarian cancer stage 3c and also uterine cancer stage 2. A clear case that one does not need a high number to have advanced cancer.

    I also was blessed to have a very well respected and noted gynecologic oncology surgeon, Dr. Dirk Pikaart at Penrose Cancer Center in Colorado Springs. He is an amazing surgeon and very kind man with exceptional skills. I completely trust his knowledge and always heed his followup advice for my case. He does not have a "one size fits all" treatment protocol.

    My CA-125 numbers quickly went down to its current level of 5 to 6 and has been there for quite a while. With the maintenance Taxol treatment, close followup with my Doctor and much prayer to Jesus, I am expecting a healthy fulfilling long life. I am blessed by all the health professionals and other cancer survivors that I have met through this ordeal and know that God has a reason for all that has happened to me. My husband and family have been with me the whole way and I have been blessed by all that has taken place in my life. My best to you in your future treatments and recovery.
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #10
    BonnieR said:

    Great News
    Sounds like it is not only working well for you but going well. What wonderful news to come and read first thing in the morning. I don't know of anyone who stayed on it until markers rose, but do know others who stayed on taxol for a year as maintenance.

    Thanks for sharing, hugs ♥ prayers Bonnie

    Taxol Maintenance vs Taxol as Treatment
    I think we might be discussing apples and oranges here. Clynn, I misread your post. I did not realize you weren't NED. According to my doctor, weekly Taxol is prescribed as an active chemotherapy protocol, in conjunction with one or more other drugs, as well as a single agent weekly or monthly maintenance infusion for women who have completed initial treatment and are in remission, per CT or PET scan and CA125 results.

    One year seems to be the cut off for maintenance Taxol. I asked my doctor why, and posted his response in another thread. Long story short, there are several reasons for not continuing the maintenance indefinitely.

    Patients not considered NED evidently receive Taxol in combination with one or more other drugs for varying lengths of time. Obviously, if you aren't responding, your doctor would not leave you on the same treatment plan for a year, but if your numbers are going down he might extend the 12 week protocol.

    Of course, at the end of the day, each doctor is free to prescribe whatever treatment he thinks is most appropriate. Sometimes insurance companies won't pay, however, except for what is considered "standard care". So a lot of different things can affect what drugs you receive, and how long you receive them.

    Carlene

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