need info

angiedryden
angiedryden Member Posts: 58
in Ovarian Cancer #1
My mom who is 71 was diagnosed with stage IV in March 2010. She underwent surgery in April, then went through 6 treatments of carbo/taxol. She had a recurrence in Sept.2011 and started back on carbo/taxol. After first treatment her Ca-125 dropped but kidney function was affected. Since she only has one kidney her oncologist decided to just go with the taxol, so last 2 treatments taxol only. She had her 3rd treatment today. Ca-125 is climbing again. My question to you ladies is has anyone experienced this and if so did your Dr. change up the treatments and add something else to the taxol?

Comments

  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #2
    I have never heard of Taxol
    I have never heard of Taxol alone for a recurrence.

    Angie, where do you live? Your mom's story sounds very much like my neighbor, Leah.

    Carlene
  • angiedryden
    angiedryden Member Posts: 58
    #3
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    I have never heard of Taxol
    I have never heard of Taxol alone for a recurrence.

    Angie, where do you live? Your mom's story sounds very much like my neighbor, Leah.

    Carlene

    Maysville,Ky.
    My mom lives in Maysville,Ky. Her oncologist is in Lexington,Ky.,where she has her chemo.
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #4
    CA-125
    How much did her CA-125 rise? Was it just one test that came back elevated, or has it been climbing for more than one?
  • angiedryden
    angiedryden Member Posts: 58
    #5
    Tethys41 said:

    CA-125
    How much did her CA-125 rise? Was it just one test that came back elevated, or has it been climbing for more than one?

    CA-125
    When the cancer returned her CA-125 was 89. After first treatment of Carbo/Taxol it dropped to 34. Since the kidney function was bad the last 2 treatments have just been Taxol and after the treatment of only Taxol the CA-125 went up to 49. Will have another CA-125 middle of Dec. to find out what results were after this last treatment of Taxol.
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #6
    Tethys41 said:

    CA-125
    How much did her CA-125 rise? Was it just one test that came back elevated, or has it been climbing for more than one?

    CA-125
    I did experience a little jump in my CA-125 during first line treatment, but it was for only one test, went from 33 to 62 to 17. I was told it could be due to tumor die off.
  • angiedryden
    angiedryden Member Posts: 58
    #7
    Tethys41 said:

    CA-125
    I did experience a little jump in my CA-125 during first line treatment, but it was for only one test, went from 33 to 62 to 17. I was told it could be due to tumor die off.

    CA-125
    My mom's Oncologist stated the same thing. But my question is since she can't have the Carbo anymore is there another chemo that can be added or is there a different combo that may work.
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #8
    angiedryden said:

    Maysville,Ky.
    My mom lives in Maysville,Ky. Her oncologist is in Lexington,Ky.,where she has her chemo.

    My mom's family is from
    My mom's family is from Maysville, several generations ago. I have been there. The lady in the little museum was so nice. She copied a lot of old census records for me.

    Small world, isn't it?

    Carlene
  • angiedryden
    angiedryden Member Posts: 58
    #9
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    My mom's family is from
    My mom's family is from Maysville, several generations ago. I have been there. The lady in the little museum was so nice. She copied a lot of old census records for me.

    Small world, isn't it?

    Carlene

    family name
    Yes it is a small world. What is the family name?
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #10
    angiedryden said:

    CA-125
    My mom's Oncologist stated the same thing. But my question is since she can't have the Carbo anymore is there another chemo that can be added or is there a different combo that may work.

    Dear angie,
    welcome to the board. My understanding was that cisplatin was hard on the kidney but carbo was ok. Is her one kidney not functioning because of a block (tumor or adhesion)? In that case, a stemt could open it up and it could begin functioning maybe. That is what I have. Mine is because of an adhesion. I have even used cisplatin with the stent with no problem. I have had it for 2 years this time, and get it changed every 4 months or so. Not as big of deal as I thought it would be,an it keeps both kidneys functioning, so I am grateful for it.althoug there are minor complications easily resolved. PM me if you wamt more details.

    Platinum is the gold standard to use with taxol, but I'm sure other chemos have been used succesfully. I hope you can find something that will work.

    Take care,
    kathleen
  • angiedryden
    angiedryden Member Posts: 58
    #11
    kayandok said:

    Dear angie,
    welcome to the board. My understanding was that cisplatin was hard on the kidney but carbo was ok. Is her one kidney not functioning because of a block (tumor or adhesion)? In that case, a stemt could open it up and it could begin functioning maybe. That is what I have. Mine is because of an adhesion. I have even used cisplatin with the stent with no problem. I have had it for 2 years this time, and get it changed every 4 months or so. Not as big of deal as I thought it would be,an it keeps both kidneys functioning, so I am grateful for it.althoug there are minor complications easily resolved. PM me if you wamt more details.

    Platinum is the gold standard to use with taxol, but I'm sure other chemos have been used succesfully. I hope you can find something that will work.

    Take care,
    kathleen

    kidney
    Thank you for responding Kathleen. She was born with only one kidney. I am just curious if there is another chemo that they can put with the taxol or what is another good combo.

    Thanks again,

    Angie
  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #12
    angiedryden said:

    kidney
    Thank you for responding Kathleen. She was born with only one kidney. I am just curious if there is another chemo that they can put with the taxol or what is another good combo.

    Thanks again,

    Angie

    I only have one
    I only have one kidney and have just started on carbo/gemzar/and avastin. Maybe you could ask about the avastin ? How is your Mom's blood pressure ? Avastin sometimes rasies that. Good Luck.
    Colleen
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #13
    angiedryden said:

    kidney
    Thank you for responding Kathleen. She was born with only one kidney. I am just curious if there is another chemo that they can put with the taxol or what is another good combo.

    Thanks again,

    Angie

    I think I would ask again
    if the carbo could be used, maybe in a lower dose or somthing. Maybe the dose was too high for her kidney, but a lower one would be tolerated, you don't know unless you try. If possible, I think the carbo is the best combo, just my opinion as a 4 year plus survivor. If there is no possibility of even a low dose, I would ask the doctor his opinion on what other chemo could be used, as a double agent is usually better for a recurrence. Again, just my opinion.

    Your mom is so blessed to have you in her court!

    Wishing you the best,
    kathleen
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #14
    angiedryden said:

    family name
    Yes it is a small world. What is the family name?

    Gibbons. Anthony and
    Gibbons. Anthony and Catherine (Ford) Gibbons were my great-great grandparents, Irish Catholic immigrants. They had a number of children, including John, Mary Agnes, and Anna.

    After Anthony died, Catherine married a man by the name of Richard Dee and had two more children: Catherine and John Dee.

    Carlene
  • angiedryden
    angiedryden Member Posts: 58
    #15
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Gibbons. Anthony and
    Gibbons. Anthony and Catherine (Ford) Gibbons were my great-great grandparents, Irish Catholic immigrants. They had a number of children, including John, Mary Agnes, and Anna.

    After Anthony died, Catherine married a man by the name of Richard Dee and had two more children: Catherine and John Dee.

    Carlene

    Ford
    There are a lot of Fords in Maysville. Duke Ford is a very well known land owner and his mother's name Mary Ford.
  • angiedryden
    angiedryden Member Posts: 58
    #16
    Cafewoman53 said:

    I only have one
    I only have one kidney and have just started on carbo/gemzar/and avastin. Maybe you could ask about the avastin ? How is your Mom's blood pressure ? Avastin sometimes rasies that. Good Luck.
    Colleen

    Thank you
    Mom is on medication for high blood pressure. Thanks for the info..hope you are doing well.

    Angie
  • angiedryden
    angiedryden Member Posts: 58
    #17
    kayandok said:

    I think I would ask again
    if the carbo could be used, maybe in a lower dose or somthing. Maybe the dose was too high for her kidney, but a lower one would be tolerated, you don't know unless you try. If possible, I think the carbo is the best combo, just my opinion as a 4 year plus survivor. If there is no possibility of even a low dose, I would ask the doctor his opinion on what other chemo could be used, as a double agent is usually better for a recurrence. Again, just my opinion.

    Your mom is so blessed to have you in her court!

    Wishing you the best,
    kathleen

    Thank you
    I think you are right about the carbo combo being the best..that is what she had last yr. 6 treatments of taxol/carbo which worked well. Thank you for the info Kathleen and I hope you are doing well.

    angie
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #18
    angiedryden said:

    Thank you
    I think you are right about the carbo combo being the best..that is what she had last yr. 6 treatments of taxol/carbo which worked well. Thank you for the info Kathleen and I hope you are doing well.

    angie

    Taxol/Gemzar
    I have heard of Gemzar (gemcitabine) being used in combination with taxol. Let us know what the doctor chooses to use for your mom.

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