IP chemo

noonie
noonie Member Posts: 3
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I am fairly new to this or any message board, but not so new to OC. I was diagnosed in July, 2011, with stage 3c. I had three cycles of good old taxol and carbo then hysterectomy and debunking, then four more cycles of chemo. That got me to NED!!! I went into a clinical trial for a maintenance drug called Opaxio. I got five glorious months last Spring and Summer and then the numbers started going up and CT scan showed New spot and old ones growing. We went with more taxol plus another drug that I took every day by mouth. After two months tumors were still growing. So we went to doxcil. That actually worked I had nothing new, one tumor on my liver got smaller and everything else stayed the same. YEAH! But. . . . . . like so often with this miserable disease that wasn't the end of it. After the third cycle I developed a very nasty rash, more like a burn really. So, we had to stop. I was devastated.

So after giving my body a chance to heal from the rash I'm ready to start again with an IP port. I'm a little apprehensive. It seems so different from IV chemo. So I guess I'm wondering what to expect.I have found such inspiration and encouragement in the posts that I've read. You are all truly Teal Warriors and I am so happy to have found this site. May God bless us all in our fight!

Pat

Comments

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    #2
    Welcome to the board Pat!

    This board is a great place to vent and connect with other warriors and survivors. Come back often.

    To my knowledge IP chemo is preferred as first line chemo for 3C stage OC patients who pass certain criteria (age, overall health, optimally debulked). It is known to cause more side effects, but promises statistically longer survival by 16 months compared to IV chemo. Read official statement Society of Gynecologic Oncologists about IP chemo use for OC patients http://www.gog.org/ipchemoed/sgopositionstmt.pdf and FAQ http://www.gog.org/ipchemoed/medicalfaqs.pdf

    Below CSN threads discuss experiences with IP chemo: http://csn.cancer.org/node/149419 and http://csn.cancer.org/node/222217 and http://csn.cancer.org/node/214306 and http://csn.cancer.org/node/256100.

    According to my doctor IP chemo can not be used for stage 4 (liver mets) or for recurrence. For that reason my IP port was removed 2 months ago.

    Though it is not an official protocol yet, there is research talking about IP chemo being beneficial for recurrence too. Read the article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22080886

    I wish you the best in your treatment.

    Alexandra

  • dottyann
    dottyann Member Posts: 6
    #3
    Alexandra said:

    Welcome to the board Pat!

    This board is a great place to vent and connect with other warriors and survivors. Come back often.

    To my knowledge IP chemo is preferred as first line chemo for 3C stage OC patients who pass certain criteria (age, overall health, optimally debulked). It is known to cause more side effects, but promises statistically longer survival by 16 months compared to IV chemo. Read official statement Society of Gynecologic Oncologists about IP chemo use for OC patients http://www.gog.org/ipchemoed/sgopositionstmt.pdf and FAQ http://www.gog.org/ipchemoed/medicalfaqs.pdf

    Below CSN threads discuss experiences with IP chemo: http://csn.cancer.org/node/149419 and http://csn.cancer.org/node/222217 and http://csn.cancer.org/node/214306 and http://csn.cancer.org/node/256100.

    According to my doctor IP chemo can not be used for stage 4 (liver mets) or for recurrence. For that reason my IP port was removed 2 months ago.

    Though it is not an official protocol yet, there is research talking about IP chemo being beneficial for recurrence too. Read the article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22080886

    I wish you the best in your treatment.

    Alexandra

    IP Chemo

    I had the same understanding of the criteria to receive  IP chemo as Alexandra. I was DX with OC back in 2006 Stage 3C. I had surgery with debulking and an IP port placed. I then had 6 IP chemo with cisplatin and taxol. I tolerated the treaments well. My MD said I was the "poster child" for IP chemo. About 7 months after my treatments, the port was removed because I was told it would not ever be used again. I was  in remission for 2 1/2 years before I had a reoccurence and IV chemo again. Since then I have had several reocurences and different chemos, all IV. I am now receiving Doxil which seems to be bringing my numbers down. I have not heard of placement of a IP port after it has metasitised. Of course, they are always doing research and changind protocols.Good luck with your new treaments. Dotty

  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #4
    I had an IP port

    placed in my abdomen during debulking surgery.  I had a total of eight infusions; six through the port.  I only had a problem with the port during one infusion.  I began to have a little pain and the nurse could find nothing wrong.  The pain escalated until the doctor was called.  I don't know why but nothing was really done.  I endured the pain.  Needless to say, I was scared when I came in for the next infusion.  I was given Ativan and basically slept through the whole thing.    I had an 18-month remission. 

    I may now be facing chemo again.  The oncologist said she didn't know how my veins are.  I said they are not good.  She said no port this time.  I didn't think to question it.  I don't know if she meant no IP port or no port at all.  I would think if my veins are not that good, I may need a port.  I'll find out more at the end of the month.

    The IP process was not that bad, save that one time.  I had to lay still for hours, couldn't get up even for the bathroom which was probably the most difficult part. 

    I wish you the best.

     

    Karen 

     

  • wholfmeister
    wholfmeister Member Posts: 315
    #5
    IP isn't so bad

    Alexandra provided some good links.  I shared my IP experience on the first CSN thread she referenced.

    My IP catheter came out when the five months of infusion were done.  Like others, I was told that is all the IP I would get.  But, as others have said...protocols are always changing. 

    Good luck! Don't be afraid.

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #6
    wholfmeister said:

    IP isn't so bad

    Alexandra provided some good links.  I shared my IP experience on the first CSN thread she referenced.

    My IP catheter came out when the five months of infusion were done.  Like others, I was told that is all the IP I would get.  But, as others have said...protocols are always changing. 

    Good luck! Don't be afraid.

    Hi Pat

    I don't have any experience with an IP port but I hope and pray that when you resume chemo, you kick cancer's butt!

    Kelly

  • Glad to be done
    Glad to be done Member Posts: 569
    #7
    lovesanimals said:

    Hi Pat

    I don't have any experience with an IP port but I hope and pray that when you resume chemo, you kick cancer's butt!

    Kelly

    I did IV cisplatin/taxol and

    I did IV cisplatin/taxol and finished up in June of 2012.  It brought me to ned status and to my knowledge I am still there.  I have a check up scheduled for May 2nd but that will get moved up because we are moving that day so I will be going in a few weeks.

    Anyway - I don't really think having the i p chemo is much different than being hooked up to i v.  They are still plugging it into a port.  On the upside with the i p port I got my own private little room with a hospital bed because with the i p chemo you roll from side to side every hour to swish it around... 

    Go forth and kick caner's **** again.  Let us know if you have any questions...

     

     

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