Irinotecan & CEA

I have irinotecan/avastin every 3 weeks because I am taking Xeloda (referred to as capecitabine in Canada) instead of the 5fu IV bolus and bottle.  The pill form is 14 days on 1 week off..thus the 3 weeks.  The dosages of irinotecan and avastin are adjusted accordingly.  In BC the 5fu bolus iv and pump are automatically given because it is much cheaper than the pill form unless medical issues interfere with that type of delivery.  The onc must file a request with BC Cancer and give the reason why the patient required the xeloda and I'm told by the staff that most requests are denied (so stupid IMO).  So, don't know about Ontario but my guess is probably you aren't offered a choice for the same reasons.

I personally, can't see how a disposable bottle, the tubing, chemo, saline, heparin, the iv bolus and everything else associated with the delivery of the 5fu to the patient can possibly be so much cheaper than the pills but that apparently is the excuse.  I think it's such a shame because the quality of my life increased big time once I was on xeloda.  Going for infusions every 3 weeks is so much better.

I should add that it seems that if a patient is on irinotecan only, some are on a 2 week sched and some a 3 week.  Guess it depends on the patient's medical situation.  I've met a few at chemo who do this.