Intraperitoneal or IP treatment

susanfox

I just had a secondary debulking surgery at Sloan Kettering last week and everything went really well. Now I am to start chemo again with two new drugs. I read that the technique employs two generic drugs already in wide use for ovarian cancer, paclitaxel and cisplatin, and involves high doses that can have severe side effects. Does anyone have experience with receiving their chemo through an IP port? Sloan has been administering chemo this way for some time but this is still new to other hospitals. Has anyone else done this?

paula57

Hi! I have not had this type of chemo treatment but I have read that the results are better. The chemo may be worse but the results are what we're after. Good luck! Paula

Pamela B

IP

I am also considering this approach and am concerned with the side effects.  Would welcome information from those that have experience.

2timothy1 7

Pamela B said:

IP

I am also considering this approach and am concerned with the side effects.  Would welcome information from those that have experience.

IP

Had the IP chemo. Would have chest chemo on day 1, IP chemo day2, IP chemo day8, then bout 8 or 9 days off. 

3 things to remember: Take zofran or anti nausea meds . Do not get behind on taking them. Take stool softeners or probiotics to avoid constipation. Stay hydrated. I had home health set me up to receive fluids through chest port for couple days after chemo. This was a big help.

I had 7 months remission from this. Would I have had less remission without it? I don't know. It's a chance you will have to decide on yourself.  Some have much longer remissions.  it's a rough regime but doable.

wish you the very best of luck with it.

God bless you on this journey!

Shawnna

 

2timothy1 7

Pamela B said:

IP

I am also considering this approach and am concerned with the side effects.  Would welcome information from those that have experience.

IP

opps.

 Double post

JoanC

IP YES!

I had IP chemo in 2008 and have been NED every since. I truly belive IP is the best way to go. Stay hydrated and anti nausea medicine worked well for me. I was DX in April 2008 with stage 3 C

Good luck and keep us posted to as how you are doing.

Hugs, Joan

wholfmeister

Pamela B said:

IP

I am also considering this approach and am concerned with the side effects.  Would welcome information from those that have experience.

I did it and I'm glad I did!

My IP port was placed during the debunking surgery.  I did five months of IP and IV Taxol and cisplatin.  28 day cycle, with IP on day 1 and 8, IV on day 2..  I had Emend, zofran, and compazine to take orally, plus a few days of decadron.  You have to start early with the Miralax.  The treatment wasn't awful.  I felt a little wiped out and had a bit of chemo brain for a few days.  I felt full with all that fluid, but it really wasn't painful or uncomfortable, but I'm tall.  I do believe it was the best way to go for my stage 3C.  I just finished in November, so I can't make any claims re: reoccurrence.  Don't be afraid of it.  Fight!

Glad to be done

JoanC said:

IP YES!

I had IP chemo in 2008 and have been NED every since. I truly belive IP is the best way to go. Stay hydrated and anti nausea medicine worked well for me. I was DX in April 2008 with stage 3 C

Good luck and keep us posted to as how you are doing.

Hugs, Joan

Go for the IP/IV chemo.  My

Go for the IP/IV chemo.  My cycle ran like this - Day 1 was IV taxol and IP cisplatian.  Day 2 was fluids then done for the week.  Day 8 was IP taxol and fluids.   done for that week and the following week and then onto the next round.  I did six rounds of this finishing the end of June.  I am NED and feeling back to normal now.  Go For It..........  Chemo is not easy but doable.  Drink lots of water and yes miralax will be your friend or even milk of magnesia. 

Pamela B

IP port decision

Thank you all for your input.  It is definitely helping with my decision.  Did you all go the whole 6 rounds. I was told that even a few rounds would be beneficial and I would not have the neuropathy issues.  Still on the fence but leaning towards IP at least for a few rounds.  Did anyone have neuropathy?

wholfmeister

Pamela B said:

IP port decision

Thank you all for your input.  It is definitely helping with my decision.  Did you all go the whole 6 rounds. I was told that even a few rounds would be beneficial and I would not have the neuropathy issues.  Still on the fence but leaning towards IP at least for a few rounds.  Did anyone have neuropathy?

No Neuropathy

I did not experience neuropathy during the 5 months I got chemo IP.  Just between me and you, if I could back up the calendar and do it again, I would take some Vitamin B to support/protect the nervous system.  You can probably Google and find more information about which supplements to prevent neuropathy from Taxol.  But I would still definately do the IP for the best chance of killing the cancer beast.  Good luck!

paris11

IP chemo

Hi Susan,

I had IP at Northwestern in Chicago.  The tx was 18 consecutive weeks of dose dense IP through a port in the belly.  The two drugs were taxol/carbo.  I did finish the 18 weeks on schedule.  The side effects were fatigue and bloating.

Northwestern has been treating with IP for many years.  

MSKK is a great medical center.

I say, "Go for it!"

Best of luck,

Connie

paris11

IP chemo

Hi Susan,

I had IP at Northwestern in Chicago.  The tx was 18 consecutive weeks of dose dense IP through a port in the belly.  The two drugs were taxol/carbo.  I did finish the 18 weeks on schedule.  The side effects were fatigue and bloating.

Northwestern has been treating with IP for many years.  

MSKK is a great medical center.

I say, "Go for it!"

Best of luck,

Connie

ptharp

paris11 said:

IP chemo

Hi Susan,

I had IP at Northwestern in Chicago.  The tx was 18 consecutive weeks of dose dense IP through a port in the belly.  The two drugs were taxol/carbo.  I did finish the 18 weeks on schedule.  The side effects were fatigue and bloating.

Northwestern has been treating with IP for many years.  

MSKK is a great medical center.

I say, "Go for it!"

Best of luck,

Connie

When making my decision, I

When making my decision, I was told my my Oncolgist that the IP, at least in my case could not have been anymore effective than the IV of Carbo and Taxol for 18 weeks, so I picked the IV. I have a port in my chest.

Pamela B

ptharp said:

When making my decision, I

When making my decision, I was told my my Oncolgist that the IP, at least in my case could not have been anymore effective than the IV of Carbo and Taxol for 18 weeks, so I picked the IV. I have a port in my chest.

That is why I was torn

That is why I was torn between the IV and the IP treatments.  My oncologist thinks that they provide the same chances.  He even has a blend of three, including avastin, that won't make me lose my hair or have neuropathy.  Not much data on it however.  But even he said the studies on the IP technique were done on people just like me , younger and healthy, and it statistically provided a greater success rate.  So I am signed up to have the port put in on Monday.  Not sure when the chemo will start. Trying to push it off as long as possible but it has been 6 weeks since my original surgery.  I think I will be on taxol and carboplatin (sp)  But if it gets too bad I can stop at any time and take the port out.  One of his patients took it out after just one round.  Thanks also for the information on the anti nausea and pain medications.  If you have any other suggestions please let me know so I can run them past my oncologist. I want this to be a doable as possible.  But it sounds like you guys did quite well on it.  That gives me hope!

How did you cope with the hair loss?  I have long hair and really hate to lose it......

 

2timothy1 7

Pamela B said:

That is why I was torn

That is why I was torn between the IV and the IP treatments.  My oncologist thinks that they provide the same chances.  He even has a blend of three, including avastin, that won't make me lose my hair or have neuropathy.  Not much data on it however.  But even he said the studies on the IP technique were done on people just like me , younger and healthy, and it statistically provided a greater success rate.  So I am signed up to have the port put in on Monday.  Not sure when the chemo will start. Trying to push it off as long as possible but it has been 6 weeks since my original surgery.  I think I will be on taxol and carboplatin (sp)  But if it gets too bad I can stop at any time and take the port out.  One of his patients took it out after just one round.  Thanks also for the information on the anti nausea and pain medications.  If you have any other suggestions please let me know so I can run them past my oncologist. I want this to be a doable as possible.  But it sounds like you guys did quite well on it.  That gives me hope!

How did you cope with the hair loss?  I have long hair and really hate to lose it......

 

Hair loss is rough at first.
Hair loss is rough at first. But then I got used it. Bought several hats and a few wigs. Takes very little time getting ready:).
Sorry you have to deal with this. Life isn't fair. We just have to deal with the best we can. God is still in control!

JulieL

Pamela B said:

That is why I was torn

That is why I was torn between the IV and the IP treatments.  My oncologist thinks that they provide the same chances.  He even has a blend of three, including avastin, that won't make me lose my hair or have neuropathy.  Not much data on it however.  But even he said the studies on the IP technique were done on people just like me , younger and healthy, and it statistically provided a greater success rate.  So I am signed up to have the port put in on Monday.  Not sure when the chemo will start. Trying to push it off as long as possible but it has been 6 weeks since my original surgery.  I think I will be on taxol and carboplatin (sp)  But if it gets too bad I can stop at any time and take the port out.  One of his patients took it out after just one round.  Thanks also for the information on the anti nausea and pain medications.  If you have any other suggestions please let me know so I can run them past my oncologist. I want this to be a doable as possible.  But it sounds like you guys did quite well on it.  That gives me hope!

How did you cope with the hair loss?  I have long hair and really hate to lose it......

 

Hair loss not so bad!

I didn't find hair loss so bad.   Get yourself a wig and experiment with scarves and head wraps.   Personally I preferred the scarves and head wraps as our temperatures were pretty warm at that time for me and the wig got uncomfortable.  Because I had always had "big" hair I used large scarves - pashminas and cotton sarongs - which wrapped two or three times around the head to replace the feeling of height and width of hair!   Even use two to get a great look.  If you go onto youtube there are little videos which will give you some ideas to start experimenting with.  As soon as my hair started to fall I had my head shaved!  Preferred that to having great clumps everywhere!   Six months back into hair growth now my hair is thick and curly (I must update my photo) and grey (I would love to colour it again but not sure yet about the chemicals! so vanity must take a back seat).   

I wish you well with your treatment.

Julie

Pamela B

Thank you!

I just wanted to express my sincere thanks for the wonderful ladies that have posted here in response to my questions.  This is all so new and scary to me. I don't know anyone else who is going through this.  It is such a comfort to hear about your positive (and not so positive) experiences and to benefit from your advice.  When I beat this I vow to continue coming to these discussion boards and helping others as you have all helped me.  So grateful for your help and support.

Having the port installed for the IP treatment as well as a chest port on Monday.  Not sure when they will start chemo but I hope they give me some time to heal after this surgery. It has been seven weeks since my first debalking (is that the right word?) when they took the cancer and all of my abdominal reproductive organs, and my appendix, out.    Just getting back to feeling normal and hate to think how I will feel next week.

 

TracieK

Peritoneal experience

Hello,

I have not been on the board for a while, and I apologize for that. I had peritoneal chemo at Loyola, and completed the entire treatment. I was very aware of the need for fluids, and drank a considerable amount daily. When I was diagnosed, I was stage 3C.  This treatment was used many years ago, and then stopped. It is now more refined and I followed my oncologists instructions to the letter. I made up my mind at the beginning that I was getting through all the rounds. I did not have serious complications, and the medicines prevented me from feeling sick every day. I wish you the same!

Ask your Doc for EMLA cream and put it on the port before your treatment. It will numb it up. This past January 7th was 5 years for me since diagnosis without a recurrence.

Many prayers to you!

Tracie

Illinois