types of chemo for USPC..quick question

beila
beila Member Posts: 97 Member
Aside from Taxol/Carboplatin, does anyone know what are the effective chemotherapies for USPC??

Comments

  • txtrisha55
    txtrisha55 Member Posts: 693 Member
    I do not know which types of
    I do not know which types of chemo are good for USPC but I do know there are a lot of different types of chemo treatments for Uterine cancer. Did you have a tissue assay done to find which chemo will work best on your type of cancer? Every chemo does not work on every person. Talk to your drs to do an assay if they did not do one to find out which chemo would work best for yours. trish
  • beila
    beila Member Posts: 97 Member

    I do not know which types of
    I do not know which types of chemo are good for USPC but I do know there are a lot of different types of chemo treatments for Uterine cancer. Did you have a tissue assay done to find which chemo will work best on your type of cancer? Every chemo does not work on every person. Talk to your drs to do an assay if they did not do one to find out which chemo would work best for yours. trish

    Beila
    Thank you Trish

    That is reassuring, but I would feel more reassured if more than just you responded!
    I have an appointment on Oct 22 with Medical Oncologist and want to go to it armed with some information, knowledge, options.

    Also, is it normal to wait 2 months since last chemo (which didnt work) for more treatment??

    I doubt whether they do an assay for chemosensititvity here

    Hope some other ladies respond as well,

    Sheila
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    beila said:

    Beila
    Thank you Trish

    That is reassuring, but I would feel more reassured if more than just you responded!
    I have an appointment on Oct 22 with Medical Oncologist and want to go to it armed with some information, knowledge, options.

    Also, is it normal to wait 2 months since last chemo (which didnt work) for more treatment??

    I doubt whether they do an assay for chemosensititvity here

    Hope some other ladies respond as well,

    Sheila

    Beila
    where is "here"? Perhaps getting second opinion is warranted.

    Maybe try google search for chemos for upsc?

    you can also do a search here on your topic. Check out this thread http://csn.cancer.org/node/208340 which has such a discussion.

    Not sure about time. But can you request to get in sooner? I would.

    Good luck. Keep us posted.
  • Thundermom
    Thundermom Member Posts: 6
    I had the Carboplatim/Taxol
    I had the Carboplatim/Taxol regime also. Took 6 rounds, 18 sessions.
    It was effective, but 2 months later, the Cat Scan showed cancer was back.
    I was on a trial medication for 2 months, but that didn't work for me.
    I now started taxotere, a cousin to Taxol, and will get treatment every week for 3 weeks, and then a week off.
    My Dr. also liked Doxil, but I was allergic to that medicine, so can't take it.
    There are lots of different drugs out there, so I hope they find something
    that is effective for you.
    I'm here and praying for you, and all of us that are fighting this. I cherish every day. So glad
    that we have this site to support each other. Best wishes.
  • artist49
    artist49 Member Posts: 87
    chemo for UPSC
    I am in a clinical trial at Sloan Kettering since November 2010 and was treated with
    carboplatin, ixabepilone, and avastin for four months. I still get avastin every 3 weeks for
    maintenance. My diagnosis was UPSC stage 4B grade 3 with cancer found in 39 lymph nodes
    and I am still in remission. Maybe suggest this combo to your oncologist. Please ask me any
    questions that you may have. Good luck.
  • beila
    beila Member Posts: 97 Member
    artist49 said:

    chemo for UPSC
    I am in a clinical trial at Sloan Kettering since November 2010 and was treated with
    carboplatin, ixabepilone, and avastin for four months. I still get avastin every 3 weeks for
    maintenance. My diagnosis was UPSC stage 4B grade 3 with cancer found in 39 lymph nodes
    and I am still in remission. Maybe suggest this combo to your oncologist. Please ask me any
    questions that you may have. Good luck.

    WOW!!!
    Thank you so much,

    WOW!!!
    Thank you so much, artist49

    That is super information for me!!!

    Questions?....you asked for it!! (lol)

    Was this your initial treatment or for a recurrence?
    How long have you been in remission?
    Do you feel OK on the maintennance avastin?
    I havent heard of ixabepilone...is it new?
    Is this clinical trial still going on?

    Thanks a million,
    Beila
  • beila
    beila Member Posts: 97 Member
    artist49 said:

    chemo for UPSC
    I am in a clinical trial at Sloan Kettering since November 2010 and was treated with
    carboplatin, ixabepilone, and avastin for four months. I still get avastin every 3 weeks for
    maintenance. My diagnosis was UPSC stage 4B grade 3 with cancer found in 39 lymph nodes
    and I am still in remission. Maybe suggest this combo to your oncologist. Please ask me any
    questions that you may have. Good luck.

    WOW!!!
    Thank you so much,

    WOW!!!
    Thank you so much, artist49

    That is super information for me!!!

    Questions?....you asked for it!! (lol)

    Was this your initial treatment or for a recurrence?
    How long have you been in remission?
    Do you feel OK on the maintennance avastin?
    I havent heard of ixabepilone...is it new?
    Is this clinical trial still going on?

    Thanks a million,
    Beila
  • beila
    beila Member Posts: 97 Member
    artist49 said:

    chemo for UPSC
    I am in a clinical trial at Sloan Kettering since November 2010 and was treated with
    carboplatin, ixabepilone, and avastin for four months. I still get avastin every 3 weeks for
    maintenance. My diagnosis was UPSC stage 4B grade 3 with cancer found in 39 lymph nodes
    and I am still in remission. Maybe suggest this combo to your oncologist. Please ask me any
    questions that you may have. Good luck.

    WOW!!!
    Thank you so much,

    WOW!!!
    Thank you so much, artist49

    That is super information for me!!!

    Questions?....you asked for it!! (lol)

    Was this your initial treatment or for a recurrence?
    How long have you been in remission?
    Do you feel OK on the maintennance avastin?
    I havent heard of ixabepilone...is it new?
    Is this clinical trial still going on?

    Thanks a million,
    Beila
  • artist49
    artist49 Member Posts: 87
    beila said:

    WOW!!!
    Thank you so much,

    WOW!!!
    Thank you so much, artist49

    That is super information for me!!!

    Questions?....you asked for it!! (lol)

    Was this your initial treatment or for a recurrence?
    How long have you been in remission?
    Do you feel OK on the maintennance avastin?
    I havent heard of ixabepilone...is it new?
    Is this clinical trial still going on?

    Thanks a million,
    Beila

    chemo regimen
    This chemo regimen was for initial treatment, not recurrence. I have been in remission since
    March 2011. I feel great on the avastin after a yearlong intensive search for natural ways
    to deal with the annoying side effects. I will gladly share this with anyone who asks.
    Ixabepilone is a breast cancer drug that worked for BC patients with many recurrences, and so they decided to try it in a clinical trial for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer
    patients. Google it for the latest on this drug.I'm not sure if the trial is closed to new patients at this time, and I don't have the number of the trial handy. I should tell you
    that I just tested positive for BRCA 2 and this may be affecting my outcome.Again, ask me anything but will be unable to reply on Monday and Tuesday.
  • beila
    beila Member Posts: 97 Member
    artist49 said:

    chemo regimen
    This chemo regimen was for initial treatment, not recurrence. I have been in remission since
    March 2011. I feel great on the avastin after a yearlong intensive search for natural ways
    to deal with the annoying side effects. I will gladly share this with anyone who asks.
    Ixabepilone is a breast cancer drug that worked for BC patients with many recurrences, and so they decided to try it in a clinical trial for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer
    patients. Google it for the latest on this drug.I'm not sure if the trial is closed to new patients at this time, and I don't have the number of the trial handy. I should tell you
    that I just tested positive for BRCA 2 and this may be affecting my outcome.Again, ask me anything but will be unable to reply on Monday and Tuesday.

    BRCA 2
    This might be a dumb question, but does positive BRCA 2 affect response to treatment?
    You mentioned this might be affecting your outcome

    So in general YOU FEEL GREAT? That is so wonderful
  • Goldamillie
    Goldamillie Member Posts: 26
    artist49 said:

    chemo for UPSC
    I am in a clinical trial at Sloan Kettering since November 2010 and was treated with
    carboplatin, ixabepilone, and avastin for four months. I still get avastin every 3 weeks for
    maintenance. My diagnosis was UPSC stage 4B grade 3 with cancer found in 39 lymph nodes
    and I am still in remission. Maybe suggest this combo to your oncologist. Please ask me any
    questions that you may have. Good luck.

    UPSC chemo
    Hello, Artist

    I have to make a decision pretty quickly re: carboplatin/gemzar for liver mets from Stage IIIc UPSC. I was diagnosed (I had absolutely no warning as I felt fine) July 2010 when I spotted a little bit. Complete hyst and removal of lymph nodes Sept. 2010. Oct. 2010 1st chemo of 6 carbo/taxol then 25 abdominal radiations and 5 vaginal internal. I recovered pretty well with only a little neuropathy in my toes/forefeet. June 2011 CT clear & CA125 at 30. Okay. Well. Dec. 2010 had PET/CT and had para-aortic lymph node mets. Jan. 2012 lapro surgery and 6 more carbo/taxol chemo. July 2012 CT clear and CA125 30. Okaaaaay. During 3rd week of another 24 rads to the para-aortic area CA125 jumped to 60. Uh-oh - I wasn't even finished with rad before it appeared to be back somewhere. Ok? uh-oh, not ok at all. CT scan Sept 28 showed mets to liver the size of a half of a postage stamp. Soooo. Wheeeee!

    Saw my onc/gyn 10/12/12. My decision to make: 3rd round of chemo with carboplatin/gemzar suggested or...? my choice. Of course there are no guarantees - ONC said UPSC is rare and there isn't a whole lot of research but we can try whatever else I can think of, I guess. His best guess is gemzar to try to shrink/fence the cancer in. ONC says if it does spread it will probably go to the lungs.

    My husband is a pillar of support but is naturally devastated by the what seems rapid decline in options. Maybe 2 years isn't rapid - I note some posts for UPSC are from 2009 - and there don't seem to be many posts for Stage IIIc UPSC. Anyone with thoughts who has found a way to hang in there taking constant chemo to survive please add me as a "friend". I just realized you had to add friends - not a facebook person so am new to how to communicate. Or maybe my prognosis is not one that ladies want to deal with. Kind of lonely out here. But I understand -

    I have chemo brain - don't know if you are familiar with that - having trouble making a decision to continue to ravage my body with treatment or just let it all ride - still very tired from previous radiation and chemo also having a fluid retention situation in my left foot, taking a fluid pill for it, that has not helped. BTW - TED socks don't do much for the feet :o). So.

    I am frightened and not sure if I can take more debilitation. Wonder if the way it works is the body just finally can't take any more poison (which is what chemo is, really) and one passes or should I just not do any more chemo and hope the next step is a dignified exit.

    Please, if anyone out there has any thoughts on what might be a good idea, respond. I am tough but a realist and don't know what else to say.
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member

    UPSC chemo
    Hello, Artist

    I have to make a decision pretty quickly re: carboplatin/gemzar for liver mets from Stage IIIc UPSC. I was diagnosed (I had absolutely no warning as I felt fine) July 2010 when I spotted a little bit. Complete hyst and removal of lymph nodes Sept. 2010. Oct. 2010 1st chemo of 6 carbo/taxol then 25 abdominal radiations and 5 vaginal internal. I recovered pretty well with only a little neuropathy in my toes/forefeet. June 2011 CT clear & CA125 at 30. Okay. Well. Dec. 2010 had PET/CT and had para-aortic lymph node mets. Jan. 2012 lapro surgery and 6 more carbo/taxol chemo. July 2012 CT clear and CA125 30. Okaaaaay. During 3rd week of another 24 rads to the para-aortic area CA125 jumped to 60. Uh-oh - I wasn't even finished with rad before it appeared to be back somewhere. Ok? uh-oh, not ok at all. CT scan Sept 28 showed mets to liver the size of a half of a postage stamp. Soooo. Wheeeee!

    Saw my onc/gyn 10/12/12. My decision to make: 3rd round of chemo with carboplatin/gemzar suggested or...? my choice. Of course there are no guarantees - ONC said UPSC is rare and there isn't a whole lot of research but we can try whatever else I can think of, I guess. His best guess is gemzar to try to shrink/fence the cancer in. ONC says if it does spread it will probably go to the lungs.

    My husband is a pillar of support but is naturally devastated by the what seems rapid decline in options. Maybe 2 years isn't rapid - I note some posts for UPSC are from 2009 - and there don't seem to be many posts for Stage IIIc UPSC. Anyone with thoughts who has found a way to hang in there taking constant chemo to survive please add me as a "friend". I just realized you had to add friends - not a facebook person so am new to how to communicate. Or maybe my prognosis is not one that ladies want to deal with. Kind of lonely out here. But I understand -

    I have chemo brain - don't know if you are familiar with that - having trouble making a decision to continue to ravage my body with treatment or just let it all ride - still very tired from previous radiation and chemo also having a fluid retention situation in my left foot, taking a fluid pill for it, that has not helped. BTW - TED socks don't do much for the feet :o). So.

    I am frightened and not sure if I can take more debilitation. Wonder if the way it works is the body just finally can't take any more poison (which is what chemo is, really) and one passes or should I just not do any more chemo and hope the next step is a dignified exit.

    Please, if anyone out there has any thoughts on what might be a good idea, respond. I am tough but a realist and don't know what else to say.

    Golda sorry you are having such a rough time
    I too have UPSC stage IIi C. I had my surgery in 1/09. I have had three rounds of chemo. I had the taxol/carbo and then switched to taxol/ cisplatin. I also had radiation therapy, 28 external and a28 hour internal treatment. . Unfortunately when I go off chemo my CA 125 starts to rise. So I know I will need to have a fourth round of chemo. I have minimal side effects from all the chemo. Luckily it is the lymph node enlargement that makes me go back on chemo. It has not advanced to any organs. I never have any symptoms before diagnosis or with the recurrences. I had an abnormal PAP in 10/08.

    Right now I am on Aromasin ( an aromatas e inhibitor). I don't know if that is slowing down the rise of the CA125. I am also on a blood thinner shot every day as I had multiple bilateral blood clots in my lungs ( again no symptoms). My husband read that the blood thinner shots slow the growth of the cancer. So it may be a combination of the two drugs that is slowing the growth. I had an 18 month break from chemo, and then a 7 month break from chemo. I am hoping for at least 6 months before I have to go back on chemo, so I can return to the taxol/cisplatin. What I am really hoping for is to make it through the winter without chemo. If I am hoping, I may as well hope BIG.

    As for as chemo brain, I think we all have experienced that. Some days are worse than others. My husband is very understanding if I can't remember things. I try to read, do Suduko, and Kakuro to help my brain.

    I think the fatigue is normal for all you have been through. I know it is frustrating though. Your body is trying to recuperate from everything.

    Good luck in making your decision. Hang in there and take it one day at a time. Enjoy each day. In peace and caring.
  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,677 Member

    UPSC chemo
    Hello, Artist

    I have to make a decision pretty quickly re: carboplatin/gemzar for liver mets from Stage IIIc UPSC. I was diagnosed (I had absolutely no warning as I felt fine) July 2010 when I spotted a little bit. Complete hyst and removal of lymph nodes Sept. 2010. Oct. 2010 1st chemo of 6 carbo/taxol then 25 abdominal radiations and 5 vaginal internal. I recovered pretty well with only a little neuropathy in my toes/forefeet. June 2011 CT clear & CA125 at 30. Okay. Well. Dec. 2010 had PET/CT and had para-aortic lymph node mets. Jan. 2012 lapro surgery and 6 more carbo/taxol chemo. July 2012 CT clear and CA125 30. Okaaaaay. During 3rd week of another 24 rads to the para-aortic area CA125 jumped to 60. Uh-oh - I wasn't even finished with rad before it appeared to be back somewhere. Ok? uh-oh, not ok at all. CT scan Sept 28 showed mets to liver the size of a half of a postage stamp. Soooo. Wheeeee!

    Saw my onc/gyn 10/12/12. My decision to make: 3rd round of chemo with carboplatin/gemzar suggested or...? my choice. Of course there are no guarantees - ONC said UPSC is rare and there isn't a whole lot of research but we can try whatever else I can think of, I guess. His best guess is gemzar to try to shrink/fence the cancer in. ONC says if it does spread it will probably go to the lungs.

    My husband is a pillar of support but is naturally devastated by the what seems rapid decline in options. Maybe 2 years isn't rapid - I note some posts for UPSC are from 2009 - and there don't seem to be many posts for Stage IIIc UPSC. Anyone with thoughts who has found a way to hang in there taking constant chemo to survive please add me as a "friend". I just realized you had to add friends - not a facebook person so am new to how to communicate. Or maybe my prognosis is not one that ladies want to deal with. Kind of lonely out here. But I understand -

    I have chemo brain - don't know if you are familiar with that - having trouble making a decision to continue to ravage my body with treatment or just let it all ride - still very tired from previous radiation and chemo also having a fluid retention situation in my left foot, taking a fluid pill for it, that has not helped. BTW - TED socks don't do much for the feet :o). So.

    I am frightened and not sure if I can take more debilitation. Wonder if the way it works is the body just finally can't take any more poison (which is what chemo is, really) and one passes or should I just not do any more chemo and hope the next step is a dignified exit.

    Please, if anyone out there has any thoughts on what might be a good idea, respond. I am tough but a realist and don't know what else to say.

    Golda, I wonder if you
    Golda, I wonder if you should also post under " emotional support". Cancer is cancer, so you might get helpful imput from more people as you make descisions. Just a thought. Stay strong

    Connie
  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,677 Member

    UPSC chemo
    Hello, Artist

    I have to make a decision pretty quickly re: carboplatin/gemzar for liver mets from Stage IIIc UPSC. I was diagnosed (I had absolutely no warning as I felt fine) July 2010 when I spotted a little bit. Complete hyst and removal of lymph nodes Sept. 2010. Oct. 2010 1st chemo of 6 carbo/taxol then 25 abdominal radiations and 5 vaginal internal. I recovered pretty well with only a little neuropathy in my toes/forefeet. June 2011 CT clear & CA125 at 30. Okay. Well. Dec. 2010 had PET/CT and had para-aortic lymph node mets. Jan. 2012 lapro surgery and 6 more carbo/taxol chemo. July 2012 CT clear and CA125 30. Okaaaaay. During 3rd week of another 24 rads to the para-aortic area CA125 jumped to 60. Uh-oh - I wasn't even finished with rad before it appeared to be back somewhere. Ok? uh-oh, not ok at all. CT scan Sept 28 showed mets to liver the size of a half of a postage stamp. Soooo. Wheeeee!

    Saw my onc/gyn 10/12/12. My decision to make: 3rd round of chemo with carboplatin/gemzar suggested or...? my choice. Of course there are no guarantees - ONC said UPSC is rare and there isn't a whole lot of research but we can try whatever else I can think of, I guess. His best guess is gemzar to try to shrink/fence the cancer in. ONC says if it does spread it will probably go to the lungs.

    My husband is a pillar of support but is naturally devastated by the what seems rapid decline in options. Maybe 2 years isn't rapid - I note some posts for UPSC are from 2009 - and there don't seem to be many posts for Stage IIIc UPSC. Anyone with thoughts who has found a way to hang in there taking constant chemo to survive please add me as a "friend". I just realized you had to add friends - not a facebook person so am new to how to communicate. Or maybe my prognosis is not one that ladies want to deal with. Kind of lonely out here. But I understand -

    I have chemo brain - don't know if you are familiar with that - having trouble making a decision to continue to ravage my body with treatment or just let it all ride - still very tired from previous radiation and chemo also having a fluid retention situation in my left foot, taking a fluid pill for it, that has not helped. BTW - TED socks don't do much for the feet :o). So.

    I am frightened and not sure if I can take more debilitation. Wonder if the way it works is the body just finally can't take any more poison (which is what chemo is, really) and one passes or should I just not do any more chemo and hope the next step is a dignified exit.

    Please, if anyone out there has any thoughts on what might be a good idea, respond. I am tough but a realist and don't know what else to say.

    Golda, I wonder if you
    Ignore
  • Goldamillie
    Goldamillie Member Posts: 26
    Ro10 said:

    Golda sorry you are having such a rough time
    I too have UPSC stage IIi C. I had my surgery in 1/09. I have had three rounds of chemo. I had the taxol/carbo and then switched to taxol/ cisplatin. I also had radiation therapy, 28 external and a28 hour internal treatment. . Unfortunately when I go off chemo my CA 125 starts to rise. So I know I will need to have a fourth round of chemo. I have minimal side effects from all the chemo. Luckily it is the lymph node enlargement that makes me go back on chemo. It has not advanced to any organs. I never have any symptoms before diagnosis or with the recurrences. I had an abnormal PAP in 10/08.

    Right now I am on Aromasin ( an aromatas e inhibitor). I don't know if that is slowing down the rise of the CA125. I am also on a blood thinner shot every day as I had multiple bilateral blood clots in my lungs ( again no symptoms). My husband read that the blood thinner shots slow the growth of the cancer. So it may be a combination of the two drugs that is slowing the growth. I had an 18 month break from chemo, and then a 7 month break from chemo. I am hoping for at least 6 months before I have to go back on chemo, so I can return to the taxol/cisplatin. What I am really hoping for is to make it through the winter without chemo. If I am hoping, I may as well hope BIG.

    As for as chemo brain, I think we all have experienced that. Some days are worse than others. My husband is very understanding if I can't remember things. I try to read, do Suduko, and Kakuro to help my brain.

    I think the fatigue is normal for all you have been through. I know it is frustrating though. Your body is trying to recuperate from everything.

    Good luck in making your decision. Hang in there and take it one day at a time. Enjoy each day. In peace and caring.

    Thanks
    Ro10

    Thanks for the input. I understand, my CA125 rises when I am not taking chemo, too. I have maxed out on radiation and taxol (I was getting taxol/carboplatin) and that's why the gemzar/carboplatin this time.

    I am interested in your journey: How did you find out with no symptoms? I was surely surprised because I had none, either - just a spot and being post-menopausal that was a definite warning something was amiss. Nada else to indicate cancer. Paps were normal - everything normal. Turned out I had UPSC Stage IIIC - what a surprise! Weird, huh. Sneaky little beast! :o)

    Are the blood clots from your cancer treatments?

    I hope you can get through winter and holidays without having chemo. I am glad you have some time to recover from chemo before you need it again. It is really really good that they are jumping on enlarged lymph nodes. Initial diagnosis I had two lymph nodes enlarged mine were cancer and it went nutzo from them. Keep those lymph nodes in site!

    I got more info from the onc nurse, who is great, on this past Monday. I will start carboplatin/gemzar this friday. I now understand I am in what is called maintenance because of the mets and there are many ladies the onc nurse tells me in the chemo unit going through this maintenance using different drugs. My cancer tested it didn't like Taxol and second it didn't like gemzar. So I go for gemzar this time. All of my organs and general health are functioning well so I should manage well - It's just new to me as I have never been sick or had any health problems. I have been lucky and don't feel like "why me?" - I have always thought "why not?" It should be someone else, maybe? That doesn't sound right. I ain't special and take it as it comes.

    RE: chemo brain and fatigue. Thanks. Yes, fatigue from treatment is real and hard to accept. I was amazed at how many ladies didn't seem to mention any fatigue. I find I have about 30% of the energy I used to have. Quite a drop. But then maybe I was just a house 'o fire. My grandmother used to tell me this poem to get me to slow down when I was a sprat: "My candle burns at both ends, It will not last the night, But of my foes and oh my friends, It gives a lovely light." It didn't work - :o)

    Chemo brain is not so bad - just different from before. I read a lot but always have. My husband understands and helps me out. It does feel odd but if someone has a problem with it - well - meh - ya know?

    I hope the best for you and hope you get more than your 6 month break from chemo.

    Cheers
  • Deesunshine
    Deesunshine Member Posts: 1
    artist49 said:

    chemo for UPSC
    I am in a clinical trial at Sloan Kettering since November 2010 and was treated with
    carboplatin, ixabepilone, and avastin for four months. I still get avastin every 3 weeks for
    maintenance. My diagnosis was UPSC stage 4B grade 3 with cancer found in 39 lymph nodes
    and I am still in remission. Maybe suggest this combo to your oncologist. Please ask me any
    questions that you may have. Good luck.

    Artist49, Are you still in the trial at Sloan?

    Hi,

     My mom was just diagnosed with Stage 4 USPC and has been treated at Sloan. I asked her doctor if there were any trials going on that my mom would be a candidate for and he told me not at this point. Are you still in the trial? How are you doing?

    Thank you!