Do you know any chemotherapy regimens for recurrence?

Green Leaf

When I first diagnosed of OVCA, I had the standard Platinum chemotherapy as well as the debulking surgery. However, my ‘NED’ was only 3-4 months long. Since June last year, my CA-125 has climbed from 8 to 140. My recent CT scans found enlarged lymph nodes and a lesion (2cm x 2cm) in the small bowel mesentery. 

My oncology suggested chemo and surgery.

I am very upset that the cancer has come back so soon.

Do you know any chemotherapy regimens for recurrence?

How good or effective are they?

As my NED was less than 6 months, does that mean the ‘Platinum’ chemotherapy will not work for me this time?

I look forward to your valuable information and support.

 

123Miley

So sorry -

So sorry you are going through a reoccurance so soon.  As I understand, when a reoccurance happens less than 6 months after initial treatment platinum drugs are not the best second line of defense.  But YES there are other drugs that can be used and are effective. I just started on a drug called Doxil for a second reoccurence. It is a common and successful drug.  There are several others I have read about that have been used successfully.  Talk to you doctor about options and keep your chin up! You are not alone in your fight! 

 

JulieL

Sorry to hear of recurrence

Sorry to hear of your recurrence so soon.  I too had a very short remission - 2-3 months - after usual carbo/taxol regime and debulking surgery.  I have PPC (similar to OVC and treated in pretty much the same way.)  Initially I went on Doxil but that didn't work for me.  Rising numbers and awful side effects.   Now I am in Gemcitabine (2 weeks on and 1 week off) and in the first two cycles have had 25 percent drops in my CA125 and minimal side effects.   For me, thankfully, this is working now.   I do hope you can get on a regime that will work for you and GET IT this time!   

Blessings,  Julie

Green Leaf

Searching for suitable chemo treatment

Thanks to 123Miley and Julie.

I will look into the chemo drugs that you have mentioned.

I also need to see my Surgeon (a Gynaecological Oncologist) to discuss if further operation is required.

Yes, there are options.

I will keep myself thinking as positive as possible.

 

Cafewoman53

Green Leaf said:

Searching for suitable chemo treatment

Thanks to 123Miley and Julie.

I will look into the chemo drugs that you have mentioned.

I also need to see my Surgeon (a Gynaecological Oncologist) to discuss if further operation is required.

Yes, there are options.

I will keep myself thinking as positive as possible.

 

Chemo for recurrence

Hi please dont be too upset over your early recurrence, I have also recurred early and more than once. I just finished eight rounds of carbo/gemzar/avstin and currently getting avastin alone . I am expecting that in a few months my ca125 will rise again, it would be nice if it lasted longer but I am a realist. Fortunately I have tolerated the chemo pretty well.

 It would be ideal if we never recurred but this is not the case for us, so the best thing to do is take good care of ourselves so we can tolerate whatever treatment the doctors prescribe,good luck to you.

Colleen

Green Leaf

Dear Colleen

I thank you for your kind response.

As a mature adult (by age), I must accept the fact of recurrence.

But, deep down my heart, I do feel miserable.

I will do whatever that is the best interest to treat this disease.

Colleen, may I ask - how could you foresee your ca125 would rise again (even you are doing fine with your current treatment)?

Another question is - are you tolerating 'Avastin' well? (My oncologist did mention a possible clinical trials using a similar regime like the one you are having.)

I wish all you the best.

 

 

Cafewoman53

Green Leaf said:

Dear Colleen

I thank you for your kind response.

As a mature adult (by age), I must accept the fact of recurrence.

But, deep down my heart, I do feel miserable.

I will do whatever that is the best interest to treat this disease.

Colleen, may I ask - how could you foresee your ca125 would rise again (even you are doing fine with your current treatment)?

Another question is - are you tolerating 'Avastin' well? (My oncologist did mention a possible clinical trials using a similar regime like the one you are having.)

I wish all you the best.

 

 

my ca 125

I do expect my ca125 to rise again as my cancer is very aggressive but on the other hand it does respond well to treatment, it just keeps coming back . I do tolerate the avastin pretty well luckily only minor issues of runny nose and then sometimes more serious aches and pains but not too bad usually it is a piece of cake compared to chemo.

Colleen

Cafewoman53

Green Leaf said:

Dear Colleen

I thank you for your kind response.

As a mature adult (by age), I must accept the fact of recurrence.

But, deep down my heart, I do feel miserable.

I will do whatever that is the best interest to treat this disease.

Colleen, may I ask - how could you foresee your ca125 would rise again (even you are doing fine with your current treatment)?

Another question is - are you tolerating 'Avastin' well? (My oncologist did mention a possible clinical trials using a similar regime like the one you are having.)

I wish all you the best.

 

 

my ca 125

 double post

Colleen

SHANNON1231

I also had a recurrance

I also had a recurrance within 4 months of original chemo and debulking. My ONC says my cancer is platinum resistant. He has referred me for a clinical trial though with a new drug called Dalantercept. I'm pretty sure it is still recruiting patients for a phase 2 trial. The drug is given by injection in the arm every 3 weeks and is supposed to block blood flow to the tumor. Cannot hurt to ask about it. I have only had one shot so far and will have cat scan in 6 weeks to see if tumors have grown or not. It does not get rid of them, but we can be stable with the tumors not growing. best of luck on your next step, and keep your head up.

Green Leaf

Thanks to Colleen and Shannon1231

 I did do "Google" and look for suitable clincial trials for recurrence.

 I found the term "randomise" in some clinical trials.

 To my understanding, it means trials which would divide the participants into two groups.

 One group would receive a new drug which was hopful to cure cancer.

But, the second group would not receive the real thing.

So, do you have some ideas as how to decide about joining a particular clinical trial?

 

wholfmeister

Randomization

I was offered a randomized clinical trial.  Three groups:  One got the new drug, one got traditional drug (taxol), and one group was observation only.  All three groups got extensive testing before and during and after the year long trial.

I really, REALLY wanted to do it.  I was a "late-in-life" grad student; I am a nurse; my job is very research and evaluation based.  I VALUE the science.  Plus, I feel so humbled and grateful for the thousands of women who have suffered this monster disease before me:  Their wretched vomiting, plummeting blood levels, painful mouth sores, and all their suffering has contributed to the knowledge my cancer team uses to keep me pretty symptom free.  I raise up a prayer of thanks for them every day.  And I want to be like them.  I want the women next year to benefit from my experience...until this disease is no more!  I really wanted to be in this clinical trial.

But then I thought about the 1/3 chance I would be in the observation group.  I could not stand the thought.  From the very beginning, my mindset has been to FIGHT.  Fight with body, mind and spirit.  I think that is why I like chemo days...I'm really fighting!  I changed my diet so I can fight with every thing I put in my mouth.  I spend time praying and meditating so my spirit is ready to fight.  I could not stand the thought that I might be put in the observation group.  If I were having a lot of side effects from chemo, maybe that option would be appealing.  Maybe the break from chemo would sound good.  But that wasn't my case.  I NEED to fight.

So I declined the clinical trial and am having the traditional protocol of 12 month of Taxol.  I cried and cried over deciding.  I felt like a coward, like I was being selfish.  But my family supported me and I am at peace with my decision now.  There are other ways my life can make a difference, and I've got to see to it that it does.

So, it is an intensely personal decision.  I can only share my experience.  And however you decide, you will be my inspiration!

Green Leaf

Randomization

Dear wholfmeister, 

Thank you for your insights on joining or not joining 'clinical trials'.

You are definitely not "like a coward" or "being selfish".

Everyone here (I mean everyone who is so unfortunate a cancer sufferer) is part of a large pool of statistic population. From the time we are diagnosed with cancer, we have become a data which helps to project something useful, for example, funding for research.

"Randomization" is quite a good word to describe our situation. We need some luck to find and have the suitable treatments or clinical trials at the right time. When my ca125 was climbing, my doctor put me under observation until the ct scan found something. I think that is the current protocol. But, who knows if this was the best decision for me as an individual (one data).

Keep fighting.

I wish you the best of luck.

SHANNON1231

Green Leaf said:

Randomization

Dear wholfmeister, 

Thank you for your insights on joining or not joining 'clinical trials'.

You are definitely not "like a coward" or "being selfish".

Everyone here (I mean everyone who is so unfortunate a cancer sufferer) is part of a large pool of statistic population. From the time we are diagnosed with cancer, we have become a data which helps to project something useful, for example, funding for research.

"Randomization" is quite a good word to describe our situation. We need some luck to find and have the suitable treatments or clinical trials at the right time. When my ca125 was climbing, my doctor put me under observation until the ct scan found something. I think that is the current protocol. But, who knows if this was the best decision for me as an individual (one data).

Keep fighting.

I wish you the best of luck.

The 1st clinical trial I was

The 1st clinical trial I was on did include being randomly chosen to either recieve a low taxol dose every month, a placebo, or nothing at all. I was unsure at first about joining the trial and didnt want to be the one to get nothing. But the nurse did tell me that even if I was not getting anything, being part of the trial was still good because you are watched more closely than normal. I was chosen to recieve the Taxol, but still recurred while on it. This next trial I am on now did not have randomization. My oncologist is part of the Hanjani Institute of gynecologic oncology thru Abington Hospital in PA. I am lucky he is my Dr and he takes part in these trials and refers me for them. I have stage 4, just turned 35, and I have 2 young boys. I am gonna try anything to be here as long as I can and he feels this drug could in his words "buy me some time". I'm honestly not sure on how to be referred to a trial, but it can't hurt to ask your onc if you are interested, or you can even contact The National Cancer Institute for more information, my paperwork has a # 1-800-422-6237. Best of luck with whatever your next step is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Leaf

Dear SHANNON1231

Thanks to your encouragement and information.

My oncologist did mention a possible clincial trial for me. The trial uses chemo (Carbo + Gemcitabine) and a new drug BNC105P on recurrent ovarian patients. But the new drug is "randomised" on patients.  The clinical nurse is checking if my criteria are suitable for the trial.

On the other hand, I will see my surgeon this week to see if operation is required.

Wishing good luck for us all.

Antpopoola

Hi dear, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer that metastasize to the rectum on January 27, 2012.  I had a total debulking also I had an illeostomy for two months.   I also had recurrence after 6 months.  I had three rounds of Carboplatium/Taxol in march and April. Surgery in June.  Was very sick so I couldn't do the next 3 rounds of chemo until november at which time my CA 125 was rising.  After Surgery it was 16,  Then it went up to 46 then 176.  Dr, said I had to start new drugs DOXIL/GEMZAR.  I have both drugs together one week, then the next week just Gemzar. I rest for two weeks.   There are lots of side effects from DOXIL.  I have been fortunate I haven't had most of them.  But it makes me very tired because it makes your blood count go down,  I had to have iron infusion and procrit.  After my first round of DOXIL my count drop to 85.  I am just greatful to be alive a year later.  My advice to you is STAY POSITIVE and take good care of yourself.  My faith, my prayers and friends have been a wonderful source of comfort to me.  I found out the more open you are about your cancer the more support you will get.  WISH YOU THE BEST!

Green Leaf

Antpopoola said:

Hi dear, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer that metastasize to the rectum on January 27, 2012.  I had a total debulking also I had an illeostomy for two months.   I also had recurrence after 6 months.  I had three rounds of Carboplatium/Taxol in march and April. Surgery in June.  Was very sick so I couldn't do the next 3 rounds of chemo until november at which time my CA 125 was rising.  After Surgery it was 16,  Then it went up to 46 then 176.  Dr, said I had to start new drugs DOXIL/GEMZAR.  I have both drugs together one week, then the next week just Gemzar. I rest for two weeks.   There are lots of side effects from DOXIL.  I have been fortunate I haven't had most of them.  But it makes me very tired because it makes your blood count go down,  I had to have iron infusion and procrit.  After my first round of DOXIL my count drop to 85.  I am just greatful to be alive a year later.  My advice to you is STAY POSITIVE and take good care of yourself.  My faith, my prayers and friends have been a wonderful source of comfort to me.  I found out the more open you are about your cancer the more support you will get.  WISH YOU THE BEST!

Thanks Antpopoola

Thank you for your advice.

Life has become up side down when I received the recent PET scan report.

My recurrent is very aggressive and spread to multiple places. Surgery is not possible.

My medical oncologist arranged me to start chemos immediately from this Thursday.

I will have the combination of Caelyx (Liposomal Doxorubicin) and Carboplatin.

I think Caelyx is equivalent to DOXIL.

Please let me know if anything I should pay attention to when I have DOXIL.

Thanks.